“Thlipsis.” That’s a great word to say. It’s one of those words that is just ‘fun’ as it rolls off the tongue. Say it a few times and you’ll see what I mean. It’s Greek and is found in a statement made by Jesus. In Greek, it looks like this. Θλιψις. This part of Jesus’ statement however is often rather disregarded. People slip by it and go to the happy days second part where Jesus says, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” I get the impression that to them it means “Since I have overcome the world, you won’t have thlipsis” Totally inaccurate, however. Here is the translation of the word thlipsis so you can gather why the idea that it won’t apply has such appeal. “θλιψις – pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.” Oh goody! That’s what I’m talking about!
Sometimes there is the idea that being a Christian means you’ll sidestep all of life’s difficulties. That thought pattern seems most prevalent in the U.S. More so than other countries I’ve been in, but it has found a ready audience here. Romans tells us “all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” It doesn’t say all things will be good.
Another lie that has been pushed by supposedly well-meaning Christians is that if you are going through a difficult time it must be because you blew it and God is punishing you. (Read the book of Job. His friends came up with the same idea.) Absolute hogwash!
If you are going through a hard time it’s because you live in a broken and fallen world where evil exists. Because of that people have thlipsis. (That’s not to say you can’t make your own brand of thlipsis just by doing dumb things. Sowing and reaping is still a valid concept!) The Lord isn’t in heaven to make all your troubles disappear, contrary to assertions made by some T.V. evangelists I’ve watched, I will tell you that trials work to strengthen your faith. They build character where there may not be any. As you go through them, the Lord is always right there beside you. No. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you no longer experience trials. Just that you will not go through them alone, as the unsaved do. It also means that God will use them to further your destiny in Him so they will have an eternal purpose and not just be thlipsis. It allows you to lay up treasures in heaven. To grow up in Christ. To gain understanding. To develop character. Christianity takes all the junk everyone in the world goes through and turns it into value for you.
Jesus’ take on it when He was here was that He would endure His thlipsis, disregard the shame of his death looking forward to what it produced. Hebrews 12:2. We should think of it no differently. James says when this thlipsis comes we should regard it as “pure joy” knowing it produces a generous outcome for us both here and in eternity. (James 1:2 & 1 Peter 1:7) The fact that Jesus overcame the world doesn’t cause all our troubles to disappear. It turns them into silver and gold!
