How do you find strength to continue when you feel like you are carrying the weight of the world upon you shoulders? Our life from start to finish is filled with unexpected valleys of trouble. One of the most difficult things about life is that trouble, trials and tribulations will always come.
Trials and test of our faith are allowed by God to mature us spiritually. We do not rejoice in the trials and trouble themselves, but in their possible results. Testing will prove whether we are genuine or not. Trials will serve as a discipline to purify our faith. Our life here on earth is a training program for eternity, and God allows us opportunities to grow or to use our faith to get the victory.
We need to know and accept the fact that there will be times and seasons in most of our lives when is seems like everything that can go wrong ....will go wrong. We need to know how to handle ourselves when things go from bad to worse. It is then that a person’s relationship with God is tested.
Now, what shall we do when trouble comes? Trouble does not discriminate..... it will rain on everyone’s life. Shall we be defeated by it, or shall we overcome it by the power and grace of Christ and make it a stepping stone to loftier spiritual heights?
Why is it that when many of us good Christians encounter troubles, trials or adversity we want to quit and give up?
Some people quit church, quit serving God, quit reading their bible and quit praying because of troubles. There are even some who become so bitter and angry with God because of their troubles as though God has done them an injustice. Many have expressed that God had been unfair to them.
When trouble comes, we must wait upon the Lord, or we shall faint and fall. We shall fail. When the storm arose and the tempestuous winds blew--When trouble came--Paul got alone and sought the face of God and came out with an answer from Heaven. Where can I go, but to the Lord? It is then that we come with no mask or hidden motive.
There are many Christians today who have surrendered to problems which could be conquered by getting alone with God. Someone has said believers should praise God for anything that brings us to our knees--to keep us depending on the Lord.
It is not correct to say that all trouble comes as a corrective measure from God, but it would be right to say that in a time of testing we should search our hearts. We will often find much excess baggage which needs to be removed from our lives. Satan has gained ground because we have given him a place to stand. We live as carnal Christians--with self in control, not the Holy Spirit--and are tossed around by the tempestuous sea upon which we journey.
Trouble gets our attention and brings us back. We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy--when the south wind blows softly--but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. Circumstances come along which help us rely on God, not self. Depending on God is a realization of our own powerlessness without Him and our need for His constant touch in our lives.
How often in His word, the Lord tells us that He will always be with us! How much it must have meant to Paul during this great storm, when the angel of the Lord appeared to Him in the night, and told him not to be afraid. When trouble comes, if the child of God will only remember that the Lord will be with him and that he can reckon on His presence, he will be sustained. (Exodus 33:14; Psalm 23:4; Hebrews 13:5).
Trouble is something that will come upon each of us. But, God wants you to ....
a) Know that patience is being worked in you.
b) Know that you are being made stronger and not weaker.
c) Know that you character is being developed and you are becoming more like Christ.
d) Know that these trials will make you more steadfast, persevering, and more enduring.
You must let patience work within you..... You must be steadfast.... you must persevere, endure and pray. It is a means of refueling, of falling into God’s presence so that we might once again be showered in God’s grace.
When we bow in prayer, even in our moments of greatest weakness (especially in our moments of greatest weakness!), we are connected with our life source. Through prayer we are brought into the presence of the One who knows us from the inside out and who can help us in a way that no other can.
In Christ we have strength for every weakness and the courage for every fear. God tells us that we can be strong and courageous because he has already guaranteed victory in Jesus. God has already prepared the land for his people. It's yours and mine for the taking. His kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. He didn't say it would always be easy.
When we pray regularly, as Jesus did, we acknowledge our dependence on God’s Spirit to sustain us at all times. And it is God who can strengthen us; it is indeed God’s Spirit which can sustain us each and every day!
Scripture: (James 1:3-4; Romans 8:18; Job. 23:10; Isaiah 43:1, 2; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:13; John 14:1; John 17:17 )
Prayer: Almighty God, whatsoever this life may bring us, grant that it may never take from us the full faith that Thou art our Father. Grant us Thy light, that we may have life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God bless you,
Cyndee
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