The topic of this article should touch each of us as we strive to endure the ups and downs of life. We must acknowledge, first of all, that trials are a part of everyday living, no matter whether we believe in God or not. It may seem that trials are more difficult for those of us who are believers, but they really aren't. Our enemy, Satan, tends to magnify those things that we endure in his attempt to discourage us to the point of giving up.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13)
In Jesus Christ, we're never alone. We must have the assurance that, whatever we're fighting against, we're not fighting by ourselves. The temptations before us are not so unique as we may think, for Satan disguises them and then recycles them for his purposes at the time. But God has sent the promise of His Holy Spirit into our hearts to comfort and direct us through the storms we face. We must be strong in faith, but it's not always as easy as it may sound.
Satan's job is to find those areas in us that are most effective in changing our hearts toward God. It has to be something that is near and dear to us to have the impact that he intends. For those who are newly saved or seeking to be saved, their trials will usually center around trouble giving up worldly lusts and appetites. Those who have been saved for some time and are walking in their purpose will usually have a fight of faith, and are not so occupied with thoughts of going back into the world to commit adultery, fornication, and that kind of stuff. The seasoned saint will usually fight against Satan in the fulfillment of their calling in God.
We must also know that trials, though they will always be there, do not come from God. James 1 tells us to rejoice during our trials, for the end result will yield greater patience in us. We're called "blessed" when we endure these temptations to stray from God, and after we've overcome them, we shall receive the crown of life promised to them that love Him. These trials and temptations often originate from lusts and desires that lurk within us, drawing us away from the safety zone of the Spirit and into death defining acts of the flesh.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Our trials, while devastating as they are, will not last always. Though they may bear long with us, every trial has an end. Satan would love for us to believe that quitting is a justifiable solution to the problems that we face. Just as he tempted Christ in the wilderness, he wants us to believe that the power to deliver belongs to him. He is a liar, and the father of all lies. He has no power except that which may have been granted by God. 1 Peter 5:8 says that he goes forth "as" a roaring lion, but never gave him the distinction of actually being one. There is but one Lion of which we should be concerned, and He's the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Praise God.
I've had trials that brought me to tears because of anguish and confusion. I've had trials that have made me want to throw up my hands and quit. I've had trials that caused me to question the existence of God, the validity of His word, and the promises that He's made concerning me. And if we stop for a moment to reflect on these kinds of thoughts, Satan jumps on it and runs full steam ahead to discourage.
But we must remember that we have an advocate with the Father, and His name is Jesus Christ. He is not only there to forgive sin, but also to encourage us to stay in the race. It's critical that we finish our course, no matter how hindered we may become, no matter how long it may take us to get there.
"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, not be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:17)
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you to day" was the admonition of Moses to the children of Israel as they faced the Red Sea before them and Pharaoh's army behind them. They murmured and complained out of fear of defeat, crying that it would have been better to have stayed in Egyptian bondage. They quickly forgot the miracles that God had performed on their behalf, choosing rather to remain in affliction than to endure the trial of their faith.
Last, but certainly not least, we must pray as we've been admonished in Luke 18:1. We're also instructed in Isaiah 40:27-31 that God gives power to the faint, and to them that have no might, He increaseth their strength. As we prayerfully wait upon the Lord, He will renew our strength. As we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things that we need will be added unto us. As we come boldly before the throne of grace, we will obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
We must remember that, no matter which enemy we're facing, God is faithful to deliver us from them. Psalms 34:19 says that "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Don't give up on the things that you desire from God. Don't quit just because the enemy turns the heat up a bit. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in every thing, and He will direct your path; He will order your steps.
Click Here to hear Donnie McClurkin's advice to handling our day to day situations.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood..... Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)
