It would be nice if life turned out exactly how we planned. If there was no lying, no cheating. No Sickness. No wars. If when you set out to accomplish a task or goal, you completed it with excellence.
But then the unexpected happens. Our plans fail. Friends lie. People cheat. We get laid off. I’d be lying to say that those moments don’t catch me by surprise. That I don’t experience discouragement when the plan or the image I imagined in my head isn’t going to happen or when I have to adjust to a new reality.
Do they catch you by surprise too? Have you ever considered why?
If I’m really honest about it, I think it’s because we forget the world we’re living in. We forget we’re living in the fallen state of creation (Romans 8:22). We forget that Jesus promised “in this world we would have tribulation” (John 16:33) and thus when the trouble comes – troubles at our jobs, troubles at home, troubles in our relationships, we struggle with coping.
But, It’s in these moments when the unexpected happens, and we’re tempted to give into our feelings of despair that we have A CHOICE: will we believe the lies of the enemy OR the truth of what the word of God says about us and our situation?
I know that’s easier said than done, ESPECIALLY when you’re smacked right down the middle of your trial, the battle has just started, or you’ve been sitting in the pain and the circumstance for so long you begin to think things will never change.
But THANKFULLY, we have a Loving, Faithful Father who gives us promises to hold on to as we walk through different seasons in life (2 Corinthians 1:20). He said that we can BOLDLY come before the throne of grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Admittedly, sometimes the truth can be hard to remember or even grasp when you’re caught in the middle of a storm.
Therefore, here are 3 TRUTHS I want to give you to hold on to as you’re walking through this current season. Let this be the beginning of the list of the words you choose to speak over yourself until you make it to the other side.
Truth #1: You’re not alone
When we’re in the trenches or going through it can be tempting to naturally think that you’re the ONLY one going through your current situation. But the truth is: your trial is not original. I’m going to say that again. YOUR TRIAL IS NOT ORIGINAL. I know that sounds insensitive on first read but when you really grasp what i’m saying, IT’S ACTUALLY A BLESSING.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (niv)”
When the bible says that “we are surrounded by clouds of witnesses”, There’s encouragement in that. That means we are a part of a community of believers that have gone before us – saints in the hall of faith – who have dealt with persecution, rejection, health challenges, sexual temptations, and detours from their God given dream. Even though due to their circumstances they might have not been able to receive the full promise of God on this side, God said there was a place for them, waiting surely in Heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).Therefore, we can be encouraged by their faith, knowing that even as we face trials on this side, there’s a reward waiting for us too in heaven.
NOT ONLY do we have the testimonies of the saints of the bible we also have the testimonies of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. When we’re not sure how to make it through our current situation, we can turn to our church community – our pastors, our small group leaders, our family, and close friends. We can ask them how they endured through similar trials and how God kept them anchored through their hard seasons.
As we listen to their testimonies, we can gain more perspective about God and trust that we serve the same Faithful, Unchanging God (Revelations 12:11 NIV). He’s not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and if He can bring them out he will bring us out to.
ABOVE ALL, the greatest Presence we can remember to turn to during our hard times is our Heavenly Father. He says “I will never leave nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5) It may FEEL like it sometimes, but that’s when we remember his promises:
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” ~ Psalms 23:4 (ESV)
- “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20b (ESV)
- “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. Psalms 139:7-10 (NIV)
Sometimes the lack of His presence can come from us doing any and everything BUT turning to Him. He says draw close to him and he will draw close to you.(James 4:8) God won’t FORCE himself upon us. We have to take that first step. Therefore, Don’t rob yourself of the love and comfort you can receive from others and your Heavenly Father during this time. Turn to your community. Turn to your Heavenly father. They are all right there waiting for you.
Reflection Point: Who have you spoken to about the current challenges you’re facing right now? Who is ONE person you can reach out to TODAY (by text, call, lunch) that you can be open with about how you’re feeling? Also reflect – How often have you been connecting with God? be honest with GOD about how you feel. Talk to him, pick back your bible. Meditate on His words. He’s right there. But He can’t help you if you won’t come.
Truth #2: This is war
Just as we forget the fallen world we are currently living in we also forget the spiritual battle we have been drafted into. It’s so easy to take the world at face value. To see no deeper meaning behind the hardships we go through.
I don’t know what situation you’re personally experiencing right now but whatever it is please know, this isn’t just a personal attack against you.
(Dependent on the situation – It may not even be a personal attack at all. It could just be a sovereign event in which God allowed you to come upon your life.)
Nevertheless, Never forget – through EVERY situation you’re walking through you are still ENGAGED in a VERY REAL, VERY ACTIVE global war against the forces of darkness vs forces of light. (Except *spoiler alert* – We win in the end. (Ps 34:19 NKJV))
You’re probably asking right now – Why should that matter to me?
Well, since Satan and his fallen angels know they are fighting a losing battle (Revelations 20:10) they are trying to get as many followers of God as they can to take back their decisions in following God and end up going to the Lake of fire where they will be.
Often they do so during the time of hard trials.
Satan wants to use this moment to destroy. He wants to use this moment to sow doubt. He wants you to take back the decision you made to follow God. He wants you to question God’s faithfulness and his love towards you. (Romans 8:38-39)
God, on the other hand, wants to use this moment to develop. Develop how? Through perseverance (James 1:2-3,). EVEN in things we don’t understand, God is USING IT ALL to grow us up to be more and more like Jesus. (Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 5:10).
Don’t let the enemy get the higher ground. (Ephesians 6:10-13) We must continue to stand in the strength of God by putting on the WHOLE armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-20). We must stay sober and keep our minds on him (1 Peter 5:8, Isaiah 26:3) .
Once we fall into hardships, the devil tries to tempt us with the old things we already gave up to self mediate and numb our thoughts. And in the moments when we feel weak or tempted to give into unprofitable temptations, we can hold on to the word of God that says RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE SHALL FLEE (James 4:7).
Even if we feel like we have been stumbling hard in this area, God doesn’t condemn us (Romans 8:1). His throne of grace is always available waiting to give us the strength we need.
Therefore when we feel the weight of our circumstances, We don’t have to condemn ourselves for our emotions or our lack of strength (Romans 8:1). God’s not telling us to hide our emotions, He’s saying BRING them over to him.(1 Peter 5:6-7) God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13). He wants to continue to renew our minds. (Rom 12:1-2). He wants to give comfort to us who mourn.(Matthew 5:4)
Therefore, When you catch your thoughts beginning to turn negative or you’re tempted to wallow, let that be the sign to come to Him. For as much as you need for as long as you need. Which is always.
Reflection Point: How have you been dealing with your emotions during this time? Have you been resisting? Have you turned to God HONESTLY about how you’ve been feeling during this time or listening to the Devil? Is there a habit you have picked up to numb yourself rather than turning to God? Don’t waste another second. Tell God right now. Confess your sins and Repent to a new way of living. HIS WAY. Pray for him to give you strength. He already knows (Psalms 139:1-4).
(Special note* After you finish confessing and turning back to God, surround yourselves with scriptures, songs, sermons of encouragement that can remind you of the Lord’s faithfulness throughout this season. Here are some scriptures to get you started. Here are also some verse cards I’ve purchased to speak to myself during my own tough season. Let this be the defining moment RIGHT NOW that you choose to commit to a new way of living and being comforted. (Romans 12:2 CJB)
Truth #3: This is Not the End
Since middle school I grew up hearing this one phrase – YOLO. You only live once. It’s often used as a way to say – since you only have this life to live, go after everything you can now – take risks, do everything your heart tells you to because your time to live is limited.
EXCEPT, that’s not completely true.
THE TRUTH IS we DO have a greater reality waiting for us after this life ends. Our bodies have a time limit, but our spirits will remain on once we die (2 Corinthians 4:16). If we try to do all we can to focus on this life or go after everything we want rather than seek God first, we will misuse our time rather than seeing it as just a preparation for the next. (Col 3:2-10)
Jesus said I must work the works of him who sent me while it’s day for night is coming when no man can work (John 9:3).
Our attitudes should reflect this.
Honestly though? Often enough we lose sight of this truth. We may begin to think the most important things in life are growing our careers, getting married, or achieving X & Y dreams.
When we do, it can add on to the pain we feel in the midst of trials, especially if we’re dealing with the effects of a loss of something or someone we truly felt like we deserved to have.
Thankfully, John reminds of what’s really important in life when he says “16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)
What does that mean for us? It means we have to hold with OPEN HANDS the things we believe we deserve to have on this side of Heaven. It means we put our trust in the Lord who said he would withhold no good things from those who walk upright (Ps 84:11). It means IN EVERYTHING we give thanks to God for the things he allows us to have in our current season (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
And if the thing we’re desiring is meant for us? We trust God to bring it into our lives in His proper timing. But also if He even later chooses to take back the things he once gave, We speak like Job who said “The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away. (Job 1:21)”
We don’t say this with no hope or joy, we say it with perspective as God who said in (Rev 21:1-4)
When we recognize this truth and hold on to it we can be like Jesus who for the joy before him, he endured the Cross, not despairing the shame. We can patiently endure the trials happening for us because it builds a greater hunger and desire for an eternal home in which God said he goes before us to prepare a place for us.
Don’t let this be a time you neglect your faith. instead, choose to be grateful in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18), seek those things that are above and not below (col 3:1-2) , and trust our God who said “10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 nkjv).
Reflection Point: How are you seeing the problems you are going through ? Are you fighting the people or spirits behind them ? Allow this day to be the defining moment you choose to believe and stand on under the armor of God and His strength, not your own.
Final Words
The words we say to ourselves have the power to determine how we walk through and come out of this season. Therefore, choose to speak life. Choose to speak those things that are not as know they were until they are. God said his words shall not return unto Him void (Is 59:11). If He spoke it he shall complete it. Therefore, wait on it. (Habakkuk 2:3) Trust the Lord who makes all things beautiful in this time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) And as you keep speaking the word over your situations, have faith that at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
Share Your Thoughts!
What season are you currently walking in? Which Truths listed above stood out to you the most? What promises of God are going to choose to rely on as your press forward through your current season?
Never forget, We’re in this together! Cheering you on as we walk together to the other side,
Your sister in Christ,
Trinity
