Like it or not, trials are just part of life. We all must weather various ordeals, whether we are young or old, rich or poor, smart or dumb. We have all faced horrific trials in the past… and will face more in the future. That’s just how life works. In fact, in I Peter it says we should not be surprised by the trials we face, as if something strange were happening to us!

Personally, I believe we bring a lot of hardships on ourselves, either through sin, disobedience, unbelief, worry, fear – which are actually all sins. However, our Father in heaven has given us incredible wisdom to aid us as we endure trials, to avoid unnecessary trials (the ones we bring on ourselves), and to actually be strengthened through our trials.

Take the Ten Commandments, for example. Think of the Ten Commandments as a guide designed to assist you, protect you and guide you onto the right path. It’s not simply a checklist of rules we have to obey, “or else…”

When we obey them, we stay out of trouble and away from the things that could cause us problems. When we follow them, we do not provoke our Father and the possible consequences; instead we welcome His blessings by honoring our Father, the God of Israel, with obedience. God didn’t simply give us the Ten Commandments to be some kind of cosmic control-freak! He gave them to you because He loves you and He wants to protect you! It’s for your own good!

When you find yourself in the middle of trials and tribulations, the best place to look for wisdom and advice is – you guessed it – the Bible! Like I said, God has all kinds of strategies to help you. Today we’re going to focus on what to do when trying times hit.

1. DON’T play the victim! God hates excuses just like the rest of us. So, instead of making excuses for why you’re in a situation, blaming everyone else (or even God), or even having a pity party, choose to take responsibility. Ask God to forgive you and repent! Don’t stay where you are… run in the opposite direction!
2. DO cling to the One who has overcome sin! In John 16:33, Yeshua (Jesus) said, “These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” My friend, you’ve got to seek your Father with all your heart, because He is the one who helps you overcome. With His strength and His truth, you can overcome. With Him, you can endure these trials and come out victorious on the other side!
3. DON’T keep playing with fire! Truthfully, sin will always take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay and keep you longer than you want to stay. Sin is never satisfied; it always wants more and more of you, until you become a captive. When you flirt with sin, you reinforce the wrong patterns in your life and begin to feel dirty, defeated, insecure and insignificant. Playing with fire only leads to more self-destructive patterns: depression, shame, blame, bitterness, self-condemnation, procrastination, ego, pain (physical, mental, emotional), confusion, violence, deception, suicide… the list goes on. When you play with fire – meaning, when you do something you know you shouldn’t do and you make excuses to justify it – and now you’re on a slippery slope.
4. DO start walking in the right direction! Picture yourself walking through a dark, scary tunnel. You’ll never get out if you set up camp there in the tunnel, right? The only way to get out? Start walking in the right direction! It’s the same for anything you might be going through right now. You must start taking steps in the right direction. Confess your sin, your fear, your disobedience, your unbelief. Ask your Father to forgive, help and strengthen you! Cut ties with whatever you’re flirting with. No more playing with fire! No more dancing on the line between right and wrong. No more indecision. No more doubt, worry, fear. No more disobedience. Draw a line and refuse to cross it. Ask Him to help you… He will! Surround yourself with Him – His truth, His love, His people. Feed on things that strengthen your faith.

The Bible is filled with His promises… all for you, during both good times and bad!

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Psalm 29:11 “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

Psalm 37:39 “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 61:3 “For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.”

Psalm 118:14 “The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”

My friend, no matter what you’re going through today, I encourage you to keep seeking your Father. He loves you, He adores you, He wants to bless you, He wants to see you succeed. And He wants to strengthen you through whatever trial you face today.

Now, think of someone you know who needs to hear this message today. Every single person in your life, whether you have known them for 5 minutes or 50 years, has gone through, currently faces, or will soon encounter, a trial of some kind. So would you take a minute to bless someone by sharing this message? It could be the hope and encouragement someone desperately needs today! And please bless me with your feedback below… every word you write feeds my spirit and soul.

Then, be sure to tune in for my weekly Spiritual Equipping episode of The Dani Johnson Show today for more biblical insights and inspiration. You can find the show on your TV and radio and please remember you can always stream today’s show right here on our website.

In great faith,

P.S. Like what you read here? Just hit the “LIKE” button at the top of the page! That will help your Facebook friends find this message!