I was not in safety,neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came.

- Job 3:26

Due to our own wicked, selfish devices and desires we were evicted out of the comfort, security and safety of the garden of Eden. The moment we stepped out of the confines of that most pleasurable and peaceful place, we opened, as it were, the mythical Pandora's box. We unleashed upon an innocent world and its few unsophisticated inhabitants an evil, relentless, unforgiving, unmerciful, unkind, inconsiderate, implacable enemy.

This foe would haunt and hound us from the cradle to the grave.

He is called Mr. Trouble.

Job declares in Chapter 14 of the Biblical book of the same name,"Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble." That, in a nutshell, sums up the lot and existence of every human being on this planet. From Africa to Asia, from San Jose to Singapore, no one is immune from his influence or effects. He is all encompassing, all inclusive and does not discriminate. Saint or sinner, prince or pauper, all come to know him. He regards neither God nor man, every nation, tribe, kindred or tongue will hear of or see him one day.

His record keeping is flawless. His lists are impeccable. His knowledge seems to be comprehensive. His agents are everywhere.

He knows your name, age, date of birth, size, height and weight.

He has your address in his books, is familiar with your habits, idiosyncrasies and tendencies.

He knows the car you drive and is thoroughly aware of the route you travel to work.

In short, there is nothing about you that is hidden from him. Therefore, you must be cognizant of his presence from the time you wake up, until your head strikes the pillow at night.

A nursery rhyme I heard years ago is as applicable today as it was the first time I heard it, "Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you."

In other words do not search for him, do not court or flirt with him, he will visit you soon enough.

From the time you were able to reason and understand, we have been warned by God and man, "Stay out of trouble," "Do not get into trouble," "Avoid the way of trouble."

Since it is inevitable that we must deal with him one day, we do want to meet him before the appointed time. His embrace can be far reaching, overwhelming and deadly.

Furthermore, he is not fair or equitable as he would deal with one in in a mild manner while another would experience the full weight or measure of his wrath and fury.

So the best anyone of us can hope for is to blunt his blows or minimize the damage when he passes over us.

It is also disconcerting and unsettling the many forms and disguises he assumes. He has appeared as a disloyal friend, unfaithful spouse, corrupt disciple, wayward child, a lump in your breast or something as simple as an overheating car on a dark and lonely road at night. His names and appellations are many.

Over the ages he has been referred to as trial, tribulation and woe. Some have become acquainted with him as pain, suffering, hunger, starvation, pestilence, despair or disaster. He gives no advance notice of his visits, shows up unannounced at noon or midnight, without respect to your time, purpose, plans, position or station in life.

Consider for a moment the tragic story of the man in Florida. He is in bed asleep at 11 p.m. when the ground opens up and swallows him and his bed into a sinkhole grave. That seems to be "his" normal modus operandi -- to barge into your life unwanted, uninvited, unwelcomed, without consideration for your feelings or emotions.

Seeking the salvation of Christ does not save you from Trouble. Since Jesus advised us that in this world you would have tribulation, so being righteous does not mean rescued from trials. The scripture above affirms that. Job and Jeremiah cursed the days they were born because of their afflictions. The psalmist reminds us that, "many are the afflictions of the righteous."

Jeremiah even swore that he would not mention the name of God again. The difficulties Paul faced caused him to despair even of his own life. It is certain, believer or infidel, that today if it is my time in the furnace of life, tomorrow it will be you. So I caution you - there is no need to be impatient or restless. Mr. Trouble is coming your way.

However, at this juncture, I must remind you of the delicate balance between careless and careful. Even though the giant Mr. Trouble is ever lurking and constantly around. God has promised that he will never leave you nor forsake you. He has promised you provision in the land of your destiny.

So to possess, you must dispossess that gigantic problem Mr. Trouble has placed in the way. You will respect and not be cavalier when dealing with difficulties, but you will not be crippled with fear, exist and face life by always playing it safe either. You will get up, stand up, cross over the river Jordan, shout down the walls of Jericho and take the promised land. We will remember the last part of the verse about many afflictions,"but the Lord delivers us out of them all."

Moreover, we who have come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, have established and maintained a relationship with him have an abiding hope. Soon and very soon are troubles will be at an end. Mr. Trouble or his cohorts cannot and will not follow us home beyond the pearly gates. There is no place for them in Beulah Land.

However, if any one dies without Jesus Christ, your troubles are just beginning. Mr. Trouble will dog your heels for all eternity.

V. Knowles is a husband and father with an interest in penning issues that serve to uplift mankind. He melds his love for Classic literature, The Bible and pop culture - as sordid as it may be - into highly relatable columns of truth, faith and justice. Hence the name: Just Thinking. If he's not buried in a book or penning his next column, you may find him pinned to his sectional watching a good old Country and Western flick.