When Troubles Come: Relying on God during Difficult Times asserts that trouble, distress, storms, affliction, suffering, persecution, difficulty, trials, and tribulation occur in the lives of everyone at one time or another. Trouble is the expression used to characterize any of these occurrences. The title of this work, 'when' trouble comes, not 'if' trouble comes, indicates that hardship and difficulty are associated with merely living. Trouble can occur immediately and without notice, or can be a slowly evolving situation. Trouble can involve an individual only, his family members, friends, community, or nation. Trouble affects both men and women and permeates every level of society from the super-rich to those living in poverty. Trouble impacts the lives of the faithful and unfaithful, educated and uneducated, and influences every nationality, racial, religious, cultural, and political group. Trouble can come in the form of personal, social, economic, physical, emotional, or psychological hardship. Trouble can result from the work of Satan and those he employs. It can occur as the consequence of the believer's own behavior and attitude or allowed by God to shape the faithful into the image of Christ. When Troubles Come: Relying on God during Difficult Times affirms that scripture provides believers with direction, encouragement, and strength to endure trials and tribulation. This work provides real-life examples of individuals (Job, Joseph, David, Christ, and Paul) who were victorious over the difficulties they encountered. These believers and others are to be studied, revered, and imitated. The Apostle Paul asserts "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). When Troubles Come: Relying on God during Difficult Times presents biblically based reasons on why trouble occurs, what can be done to cope with difficulty, and how to overcome trials and tribulations. Scriptural support is provided throughout the book that will strengthen believers and provide hope during difficult times. God's word is sure and applicable to the daily lives of all believers. This book provides encouragement, support, and guidance to anyone dealing with any kind of trouble, in any area of life - family, work, church, school, community, state, nation, and world.
About the Author: Dr. Christopher N. Jeffries has served as executive vice president, provost/vice president for academic affairs, vice president of academic affairs, and professor of economics. He is an award-winning professor and has taught economics at several colleges and universities in the Southeast. Dr. Jeffries received a Fulbright Lecturer Award to the People's Republic of China. He has professionally related travel to Japan, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and Brazil. Dr. Jeffries was a Kellogg Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Leadership Fellow with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), and he attended the highly regarded Institute for Educational Management (IEM) at Harvard University. Both programs are designed to allow senior-level administrators to examine critical leadership issues at colleges and universities, and learn effective approaches for balancing internal and external leadership roles. Dr. Jeffries has authored two books, Inspired Leadership: The Apostle Paul's Example for Today's Leaders (BookSurge 2009) and Great Clouds of Witnesses: Biblical Case Studies in Faith and Leadership for Twenty-First Century Leaders (BookSurge 2009). The author has written more than twenty-eight economics articles, which were published in books, proceedings, and journals. He has delivered more than twenty-five presentations at professional meetings and conferences. The author has been an active member of Fourth Street Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia; Greater Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi; First African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas; and Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Talladega, Alabama. As a member of these congregations, he served in various capacities, including adult Sunday school teacher, church trustee, director of Christian education, and assistant superintendent of Sunday school.