“Let your light so shine before others that when they see your good works they will glorify the Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

How are we to shine the light of Christ to others?

By our good works, Jesus tells us.

Here are five practical ways we can do that. Credit for this list goes to Life Church.

1. Give – give without expecting anything in return
   “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6).
2. Forgive – forgive without punishing
   “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
3. Be Patient – be patient with others as the Lord has been patient with you
   “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
4. Listen – listen without interrupting
   “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
5. Be Kind – Let your kindness and gentleness be evident
   “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Philippians 4:5).

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).

Yesterday we saw that the LORD doesn’t deliver us out of trouble or hardship but promises to be present with us in trouble and hardship.

Today’s verse tells us that the LORD will sustain us in troubling and hard times. Again, what we would prefer is that the LORD rescue us from trouble and hardship. Why doesn’t the LORD rescue us from trouble and hardship? Why does the LORD promise to sustain us in troubling and hard times?

Listen. God is more interested in shaping our character and our spiritual growth than he is in our comfort. Comfort and rest will come. Comfort and rest will be our reality when we are reunited with Christ in eternity. But until then we are on a journey to spiritual maturity and growth.

Comfort and growth; comfort and maturity almost never go together.

Character is shaped through the battles that test our resolve and commitment. Maturity develops as we overcome hardship and difficulties.

We are in training. God is more interested in shaping us into the character of Christ and our spiritual maturity than he is in our comfort. Whatever trouble or hardship you may be facing today, know you are not alone. Christ is with you and the LORD will sustain you. You are a work in progress. God is at work in you.

And for that, we are grateful.

“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him” (Psalm 91:15).

Did you catch that?

When we find ourselves in trouble and we call on God, God promises to answer. So far so good.

This is where we would all expect God to say, “And I will deliver him from trouble.” That’s what I would want.

• I’m in trouble. Get me out!!!
• This hurts. Get me out!!!
• Rescue me from this danger. Get me out!!!

Whatever trouble I might be facing, if God promises to answer me, I want him to get me out.

But that’s not what God promises. God promises to answer our prayers and be with us in trouble.

Say what?!?!

God doesn’t promise to deliver us out of trouble, but promises to be with us in trouble.

What is that about?

Jesus told his disciples, “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” (John 16:33).

In this world – where we are living in the in-between period of God’s kingdom at hand and not yet fulfilled – we will face tribulation. That is life. In this world where God continues to give sinners and saints free will, we will face tribulation.

But Christ has overcome this world.

Christ wins. The ending of the story of God’s creation is clear. It has already been written. Christ wins. God receives glory and honor. In the meantime, there will be trouble. But just as sure as there will be trouble, we can rest assured in that Christ has overcome this world. Because of that truth, Christ is present with us in good times and the bad.

• There is nothing in the good times that can add to God’s glory.
• And there is nothing in the hard times that can take away from God’s glory.
• Good times and bad, it all leads to God’s glory.

That’s good news.

God is present with us in good times and bad. And his presence is all we need.