Whether the words are quietly muttered under your breath with genuine concern over what is about to happen, or they are expressed loudly with adoration as you greet a friend, voicing the phrase Here Comes Trouble can carry multiple meanings. I admit to offering a grin every time I see a child wearing this phrase printed across their shirt because there is probably a great deal of truth in the statement, and you might need to actually prepare yourself for the encounter. However, recently a creative use of the phrase had me grinning from ear to ear and saying, “I love it!” when it was heard in the most unexpected place.

This unexpected place was on the television screen as I viewed the series, The Chosen, a crowdfunded media project sharing about Jesus’ ministry. And it was at the conclusion of season one where we witness a scene of Jesus walking toward us on the screen while the outro song, Trouble, plays these lyrics: Should’ve known that we’d bring trouble/ Trouble gon’ find you here/Trouble. Laughing at the creative accuracy, I could visualize Jesus and the disciples all wearing shirts with the phrase Here Comes Trouble, because they indeed were bringing disruption in a profound and transforming way that no one could have fathomed in the first century.

Have you ever considered what your personal response would have been if you were alive during the days when Jesus walked this earth? I genuinely wonder if I would have chosen to follow Him because, like many others, I would have expected the arrival of the One who was to be the Savior of the world to be more dramatic. How is a Jewish guy from Nazareth going to defeat the Roman oppression? How could someone armed only with Himself change the trajectory of the human story? Someone bringing Trouble arrives as a force to be reckoned with, not love, compassion, grace and mercy! I’m uncertain that I would have had the courage to go against the majority and follow Him, because Trouble plagued Him and the disciples everywhere they went.

But I find comfort in the Trouble Jesus brought and although few would probably agree with my interpretation of John 16:33, I find reassurance here too: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have Trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” If I consider replacing the word Trouble with Jesus in this sentence, then it becomes, “In this world you will have [Jesus].” So, when Trouble does arrive, and He just stated that it would, I have Jesus on my side. He is the one who provides the joy and peace that passes all understanding!

It’s in these moments when we think, “Here Comes Trouble” that our faith provides the foundation to persevere with hope and Holy Confidence. As we cultivate a Habit of Resilience, we recognize that although we might be required to bend in difficult times, we don’t have to break. It’s Jesus’ promise that He has overcome the world that words like hope and victory become more than just platitudes. He has proven again and again that when Trouble comes, He is right there with us. So, when you see the message of Here Comes Trouble heading your way, take heart, He has overcome the sin that inhabits this world, and He will see you through this too!

As Christ followers, we are not immune to the Trouble that inhabits this world. How has your faith proven to be the stability and hope you need to face difficult times? Please consider sharing in the comments below.

References:

Lowell, C. Odmark, M., Sands, A.D., Mason, S.D. & Haseltine, D. (2021). Trouble. On The Chosen: Season Two (Original Series Soundtrack). [Album]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbwcMcpy9Bk

Massad, S. (2022, November 27). Bend Don’t Break: Part 3: Hope-FULL. [Audio podcast]. North Point Community Church. Retrieved from https://subsplash.com/northpointcommunitychurch/watch/mi/+fy9ptdy