It is Day 30 of the 40 Days of Return to the Lord. Today I like to admonish you on what to expect in the journey of faith, your attitude when life happens, and what to do during turbulent life situations. The Christian faith is not a rosy one with bread and butter all the way. It does not promise a life without trouble.
Jesus Overcame the World
The truth is that our fallen world is full of troubles, and you as a believer living in the world sometimes have your share of this. Troubles come in different ways, dealing with a wayward child, health issues, divorce, break up, and the death of a loved one. Trials are inevitable. Bad times will show up uninvited. Scriptures say in John 16:33, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” It is your responsibility to stand in the victory that Christ purchased for you until you come out of your troubles.
Your Confident Hope
Hope in difficult times is proof that you believe in God to change your situation for the better. Your hope is the necessary ingredient that delivers your breakthrough in your hands. The absence of hope renders a man a walking corpse. You need to keep your hope alive every day in these last days. Be aware of the work of the devil to bring discouragement into your life which may lead to hopelessness upon which the enemy thrives. Keep your confident hope in these dangerous moments.
Rejoicing in Difficult Times
Rejoicing is borne from confident hope in God, it is knowing and trusting God all through the way in the situations of life. Never let your joy be dependent on anything else in this world, else you may suffer a series of depression. Joy comes from having consistent communion with the Lord through His Word, and fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit. Scriptures tell us in Psalms 16:11 that God will show you the way of life, granting you the joy of His presence and the pleasures of living with Him forever. The joy you need comes from the presence of God; this joy overcomes life’s difficult problems. Therefore, it is your duty to jealously guard the presence of God in your life, it is the key to rejoicing in difficult times. Joy is contagious if you stay long enough in God’s presence, you will definitely contact His joy. Joy keeps hope alive to experience the impossible.
Be Patient in Trouble
God wants to help you through your difficult moments. He expects you to honor Him and walk in righteousness. Trials can either make you or break you, the greatest people on the surface of the earth are those who have been through unspeakable life situations. See your situation as a test of your faith in God. It is humanly true to want to come out of ugly situations as quickly as can be. While God on the other hand is taking time to build His character in you. Scriptures say be patient in trouble, this is means to endure the difficult situations.
How do I Remain Patient in Trouble?
- Surround yourself with faith lifting books, programs, and talks.
- Be real and truthful with God about your situation.
- Do the right thing irrespective of your feeling.
- Live one day at a time, don’t worry about tomorrow.
- Choose your way out of trouble.
- Know that the test is for you to pass.
Patience built through trouble will develop you and make you a master over life’s situations that may eventually become a ministry to the world and a voice in your generation. Romans 5:3-4 says, and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
The experience you gain through difficult times will become a lesson for others that may need to overcome the same life situation as you did.
Finally, keep on praying with all thanksgiving. Don’t let your situation stop your talk with God. Remember, something happens when you pray, and nothing happens when you don’t. Prayer brings the kingdom of God down to our world, to experience God now in your situation. It is essential for the demonstration of your authority in Christ now in all the worlds. The potency of your prayers is not dependent on your emotions or words but it is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Pray in agreement with God’s will over your life and situation. Search out scriptures that address your situation and take it back to God in prayers.
