Bible College and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. TRIALS Seven Ways God Uses Tough Times to Shape Our Lives By William D. Black New Life Ministries. Our destiny is determined by God. There are specific men in the Bible who are said to have “walked with God” such as Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and Noah (Genesis 6:9). (Salvation) "Before we walk we stand, before we stand we crawl and before we crawl we must be born." "Sometimes Fast, Sometimes Slow and Sometimes Stop (wait)" Ill. - Abraham and Sarah. Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. He has provided and will continue to provide for us (and for you as you trust God in your difficult time). (Hebrews 11:6) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Against this very dark backdrop was a man who walked with God and was spared death. Is your faith based on the outcome of your difficult situation? 7 Examples of Trusting God in Difficult Times to Inspire You. For me, bad news is usually followed by worst-case scenario thinking and suddenly being overtaken by torrents of anxiety and feelings of helplessness. God however is with us even in tough times. Walking with God begins with the first step. God was real and present in her life. Even when in times of trouble you believe that God is there. Sometimes difficulty isn’t a drastic tragedy, but the busy chaos of managing life. The word is ‘Praise’! But when you are a Christian, you have these three promises from God to help you when the going gets tough. As the story of David and our experience with our oldest illustrate, God’s destiny for our lives does not change because of our circumstances. Every day we work demanding jobs and do what we can to help care for our families. God is an “outside-the-box” thinker. I cannot see because I’m deep in the fog of depression. In the New Testament, walking with God is often called "walking in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:4). Menu. What in your life is not how you pictured it? Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. The book “The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out” by Robert Morgan does a fantastic job breaking down this moment between God, Moses, and the Israelites. A few things I have learned walking with God in the tough times. One truth we've seen proven over and over as we trust God through hard times: God is faithful. If you are like me, and you endure adversity for any length of time, it can be easy to lose faith and quickly turn to self-pity and unbelief. In the crowd was a woman who had been suffering from chronic bleeding for 12 years. Does the condition of your health (physical or mental/emotional) affect your faith? Isaiah is inspiring because he doesn’t hold back with God, he expresses his deep pain and how hard it is to hear and see Him in the midst of it all. 1.1 that doesn’t mean you or i will walk faithfully with god perfectly! Difficulty comes in all shapes and sizes. Faith is what helps us trust God in difficult times. The answer is: Because God has a plan. • Believing that God chose me to help others know Him both challenges and inspires me. It would be safe to say this is not how David pictured his journey toward becoming the king of Israel. For the past few years my spouse and I have been trying to start a family. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:21-24 NKJV). Only God can lift the darkness and it will not lift until He has accomplished His work in your soul, but Isaiah 50:10 says, “Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” God is the same unchanging, unshakable God that He has always been. They trusted God completely. Tough Times I have deliberately been neglectful of this blog for the last few days, contending with my thoughts and how I want to express them - or rather, how the Lord would have me express them. So, be ready. He even asked God if … GOD IS ON FIRE WATCH. Isolating, negative thinking, unbelief, loss of passion toward God. Walking With God The Sun. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus described several situations. Have you quit believing God hears you and wants to bless you? Walking with God is a way of life, and it is a choice. God promises we will face troubles in this life, but he also promises to walk by our side through it all. There is no human solution for it. They are an example of people who understood longing unfulfilled – the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why. Hers was just bigger. Everything is going about as well as it can go, and then you begin to wonder, “how long can this last?”. Even in their position, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did not feel the need to defend their decision to not comply with the king’s edict. In the Bible, from the book of 1Peter4:16, Peter tells us that if you suffer because you are a Christian, don't be ashamed of it but instead to thank God … Name * Email * Website. What is your motive in wanting your desired outcome. In light of his repeated references to his sins, including the sins of his youth, he must have been older. Your email address will not be published. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. The disciples were in a tough … 100 percent. She was motivated to serve no matter what the demands were because she cared about the people. What would that have done to your faith in God. A longing unfulfilled can be disheartening. For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ [4] I will harden (make stubborn, defiant) Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I am the LORD.” And they did so. How do you respond when things don’t go well? His road was not always smooth. We know they trusted God because they continued to serve God, and God described them as righteous. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. It brings God so much glory when we call on Him when we are going through a tough situation. Imagine having been married for a long time, unable to have kids and living in a culture that measured God’s love for you by the number of children you have. To walk with God means to keep Him at the center of our lives—in everything we do, say, and think in our relationships, finances, plans, and every other area of life. When you walk with God you choose to imitate Him and glorify Him in every way. Learn from one of the great heros of the bible. God’s Word reminds us that He is a rescuer who never leaves us nor forsakes us, whose mercy and love endure forever, and who hears the cries of His people. Do you believe your difficult situation can be an opportunity for God to come through? Verse Concepts. Previous Post Hold On To God During The Hard Times. Conversation Starter Jeopardy: 16 Questions That Will Lead to Great Discussions, Just Engaged? With all that we want to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis we can end up worn out, disappointed, and never feeling like we’ve finished anything. How has your faith been affected by a long-standing difficult situation? Sometimes life can seem so tough that it seems lie God isn’t with us. There is no greater joy than seeing God’s destiny rise above our circumstances. People from all over the region rushed to him and pressed against him. How has this influenced your belief in God’s love and faithfulness? We can look to her as an example for how to handle the chaos of our daily lives. Everyone felt backed up against a wall with no way out, but that’s because no one would have predicted that He would part the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through on solid ground. Cloudflare Ray ID: 62697c2338f8fa8c For all those who come to Him in their hard times God says, “I will deliver you.” Do not give up in prayer. This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team. Have you found yourself slipping into the dark shadows? During these times, prayer can be especially difficult. Deborah described herself as a “mother” to Israel. Listen to this video and learn more. Home; About; July 27, 2015 by warriorprincess7. God however is with us even in tough times. What inspires me about Zechariah and Elizabeth is their ability to trust God in the midst of a longing unfulfilled. They were not motivated by their own success or glory when they refused to bow down, but rather by the fact that God would be glorified through the result of either their sacrifice or their triumph. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego respectfully declined. These foes are many in number and they hate David with violence (v. 19). My flesh finds relief in making a plan or figuring out a solution, but something I learned about going through difficulty is that it’s an opportunity to transform my prayer life. FIRST, I am to show what is implied in these words, “walked with God;” and what we are to understand by walking with God. When we experience periods of waiting, we can have hope by remembering God’s faithfulness and choosing to live by faith ourselves. Get devotionals in your inbox, 3 days a week. How does bad news affect your relationship with God? God’s pace varies at different times and for different reasons. This is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple described as “very old,” and “childless.”. Are you honest with yourself, others, and God about your longings? Who is someone that you could reach out and help this week? With the water at their backs, and Pharaoh and the Egyptians bearing down on them, it was only God who could provide a way it. 3) You are never out of God’s care. What type of prayer do you need to have to change your mindset on difficulty, to see it as God having your right where he wants you? Required fields are marked * Comment. James 2:17. Trusting God in tough times isn’t so hard when we remember who He is. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered unclean according to the laws and traditions of the time. … Whatever you're dealing with, I want you to know that you're not alone and something good can come from the tough spot you're in right now. Music is the song 'My God Reigns' by David Delgado and used with permission. Though it is easy to get afraid of having nowhere to turn, these are the moments we can see God work at his best. Walking-With-God-During-Tough-Times. A daily quiet time helps us get to know God, and allows God to get to know us. We too need to believe that our future is in the hands of a God that loves us. Here’s How to Prepare for Marriage Spiritually, How the Inspirational People We Admire Handle Their Emotions, 6 Simple Things You Can Do to Improve a Selfish Marriage, Deborah: Trusting God through the demands of life, Zechariah & Elizabeth: Trusting God when a longing is unfulfilled, Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain, Moses: trusting God when there is no way out, David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome, more to explore in my relationship with God, The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out. “Deep Spirituality” is about removing the robes that cover up the true and deep feelings of our hearts. You are never out of God’s sight (verses 45-48a) First of all, you are never out of God’s sight. It took ten years, but our oldest finally returned to God. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. How do you draw near to God in tough times. 2. God will deliver you! But before all that can happen, God gave Isaiah an intense vision that overwhelmed him. We are left wondering to ourselves, “How did I get myself here?” I felt that when I was hospitalized for a back injury. The temptation to believe that our dreams were shattered, our hopes destroyed and God no longer had a plan for our lives was strong. Difficult times will happen to us all. God is not a liar that He should lie. 1.2 our worship is understanding the importance of walking with god, and doing it faithfully! Deborah was a great example of this. Imagine being one of the Israelites who walked through the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh’s army destroyed. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Quotes “Those who walk with God, always reach their destination.” ― Henry Ford If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. And there is a cost. Brethren, for this reason, in [spite of all] our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you [because of] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence). Tribulation tests our identity as Christians – Tribulation tests our identity. They had the desire to stay righteous while they waited for their longings to be fulfilled. Meghan Weyerbacher is sharing some encouragement for you when you’re walking with God in hard times. When it feels like things will never change, I’m realizing there is more to explore in my relationship with God. The prayer that accomplishes things and gets God’s ear, is the outflow of a vital relationship with God. Oftentimes I harden to my pain by minimizing and hiding it. God promised. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! My stomach sinks. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. Have you ever said this about your life? 2-3). I. In this evil generation it’s not hard to notice a man or woman of God whose heart is aligned with God’s heart because their light shines so bright and they’re set apart from the world. There is no greater joy than seeing God’s destiny rise above our circumstances. Heirs Eternally With God eternal life, experience of A Tough Break Up Reward, For God's People How Death Is Inevitable A Broken Woman Faint Heartedness Strength, God Is Our Heartbreak Dependence Spiritual Failure Assurance in the life of faith Brokenhearted Strength And Love. God guided the Israelites to the exact place he wanted them to be, right on the edge of the Red Sea. David embraced difficult times because he believed his future was in the hands of a God that loved him. But with the encouragement of friends and prayer we had to decide whether our faith was going to be in our circumstances or in God. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Deborah believed and trusted God in a way that can be hard for us to do. There will be a lack of energy, interest, faith, hope, and love. When the whole kingdom was following along, they stood their ground, with faith that God would take care of them no matter the result. He could have given up on God altogether, but decided to keep serving God despite his unfulfilled longing. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” —2 Corinthians 1:3 “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” —Psalm 119:76 led numerous successful military campaigns, Deep Spirituality Lite, Day 1: A Good Day Gone Bad, Deep Spirituality, Part 3: Deep Quiet Times. Everyone experiences periods in life that look nothing like they had imagined. At this time in history, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was influenced by those around him to set up an image of gold and require everyone in the land to bow down and worship it. Walking with God also means we cannot also walk with evil people as companions (Psalm 1:1-3). God doesn’t just allow us to go through tough times and hard trials for no reason. Follow God’s will. We might not have the title Deborah did, but life demands a lot from us each day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, kids, and health. Faith is what helps us trust God in difficult times. Your IP: 193.226.5.150 Moses experienced that same feeling when, after leading Israel out of Egypt, they were stuck between the Red Sea and an angry Egyptian army. Though our circumstances change our destiny does not (Ephesians 1:11). Lately I’ve been seeing God create opportunities to build closeness in my marriage, make new friends and to comfort those around me. Hopelessness, confusion, anger, depression? God set up His people for an incredible future of redemption and hope. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. To listen to his music, ... We find, in time, we walk into The joy we knew before. She took a bold risk to believe in Jesus and his power. They had faith that God would save them because they trusted God would take care of them. (Genesis 5:21-24 AV)By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before hi… Friday, March 19, 2010. Trying something new may be the last thing on your mind, especially when you have a chronic health challenge or are in the midst of long-standing troubles. How would that change your view of God? Genesis 5:21-24 says Enoch was a man who walked with God until the Lord took him to heaven. God Will Provide As You Trust Him Through the Hard Times. Zechariah and Elizabeth understand. We can’t be certain about David’s circumstances in this psalm. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of L.I.F.E. When we go through tough times, the most important thing for us to do is to keep our faith in God. I get stuck wanting my own way that I miss what God is doing and the doors He is opening. Don’t waste your time and energy trying to search for God’s will for you in the midst of your tough time, as if it was a hidden mystery. There were many moments in David’s life that were not how he would have pictured it. We all can find inspiration in David’s journey to fulfill his destiny. This leads us to quit praying and expecting God to move. The Biblical men and women in the Word of God prayed MANY times a day, at least 3 times a day. Prepare in advance for those hard times, because they will come. ... Just click on the link above the title of the poem. I cannot hear because I’m bent over with agony. It is born of one’s burden, concern, and the reality of God in one’s life. Walking with God means to make progress. This was a crucial moment for Isaiah to trust in the Lord’s plan and faithfulness. There were no warriors in Israel until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose to be a mother to Israel. My resistance to vulnerability makes me unsympathetic and fake. What are the areas of your life that overwhelm you the most? She was a leader, a judge, a prophetess, a wife, and a mother. My to-do list feels like it goes on forever. I discovered I needed to shift my thinking, and see this setback as a set-up for God to move. They trusted God completely. I started to walk my backyard praising God, walking in circles ..just praising Him.. seven times I did this every day. We asked a few members of our staff at Deep Spirituality for their favorite biblical characters who trusted God in the midst of difficulty and came up with 7 examples in the Bible of trusting God in difficult times to inspire you. New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller—whose books have sold millions of copies to both religious and secular readers—explores one of the most difficult questions we must answer in our lives: Why is there pain and suffering? We can learn from this: Deborah cared about the people she led like a mother cares for her children. This experience can occur in our lives from time to time. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. The scriptures below are some of my favorites, my go-tos when life gets hard. I wouldn’t be so overwhelmed with the busy schedule of my life, but would believe that I can handle it because God is on my side. I think part of the reason Isaiah’s faith stayed strong despite bad news was because he was honest about his doubt and frustration and he believed deeply in God’s purpose. Skip to content. We feel as if we are in an impossible situation, just for God to show us how powerful he is. My gut churns with pain. She stepped out of the shadows, made her way through the crowd and told the whole truth so she could get closer to Jesus. And along with that, she courageously led her people into battle. How did she do it all? warriorprincess7 A few things I have learned walking with God in the tough times. Enoch lived during a unique time in human history, just before God's judgment of the world by the flood. There will be sacrifices made no matter which path you choose, but walking with God is the way of eternal life (Hebrews 12:1–2). God has a plan, and it’s infinitely bigger and better than anything we could ever imagine. Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. She was sick, broke, and an outcast. Though phenomenally inspirational, her life can leave me feeling like I can’t relate. One of the things they have to do is fire watch. She had become their mother and that relationship helped her to keep going. Secondly, Zechariah and Elizabeth lived by faith with the conviction that God loved them and wanted to bless them. It's in those times … His connection to God deepens during difficulties. David’s destiny was fulfilled and he became king of Israel. What is one thing that you could do to make God more a part of your daily life? FIRST, walking with God implies, that the prevailing power of the enmity of a person's heart be taken away by the blessed Spirit of God. Praying several times a day is essential in walking with God. So if God is involved, God is sovereign over all, and God loves us very much, why does God allow suffering? God showed his faithfulness with Zechariah and Elizabeth by working to bless their lives even after they waited a long time. It’s been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us feeling frustrated and forgotten. How can you trust that, whatever happens, it is God who still loves and guides you? God will not turn you away. Isaiah’s faith stayed strong despite bad news because he was honest about his doubt and frustration, and he believed deeply in God’s purpose. In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. Yet because of her confident faith in Jesus, she was able to ignore the pain for a moment and ultimately take the risk that changed everything. Faith in God brings comfort and cheer, even in the midst of stress and crushing difficulties. The hot metal clangs against the side of the dock as we tie off the boat, making sure it’ll stay put. But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. They also understand how to remain faithful while waiting on God. Jesus experienced hard times too…the road to the cross was no small matter. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.Pastor Duke specializes in healing hurting churches and bringing revival, renewal, and restoration of the presence of God to the body of Christ in America to make the church spiritual again.Pastor Duke has a few limited dates available to speak in other churches. But the part that is most astonishing is their focus on God even if He didn’t save them from the flames. Are you still praying about where you want God to take you? Do you cry out more or avoid Him? We can walk in God's ways or the ways of the world, but we cannot do both (2 Kings 8:27; Ephesians 2:2; Matthew 6:24; James 4:4). Seeing God move through my struggles has helped my faith grow. This was not at all how we pictured our life. Putting our faith in God meant we were not going to quit, but rather continue to learn and grow and change what we needed to change. Psalm 139 is full of praise and theology. Sometimes during difficult times we simply need to remember God. CBN.com – . These Bible stories about trusting God will inspire you to overcome circumstances and inspire your faith to believe. [15] At Barak’s advance, the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. We all have a picture of how we want our life to play out. Deborah’s family (the people of Israel) had its dysfunctions just like many of ours do. Have you ever had that feeling? Difficult times can lead us to a point where we feel like our backs are against the wall and there are very little options before us to find a way out or a solution to overcome. What by faith can you do that might feel risky? 4. How do you handle adversity? She had visited many doctors and had spent all she had on treatments. Then suddenly, because of a jealous king, David spent the next ten or more years running from Saul, held up in a cave with a motley crew of misfits. Since his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband led to the events of Absalom’s revolt, it probably was written during that episode.Note David’s situation: He has treacherous enemies that are seeking to exult in his demise (vv. Be honest with yourself, God, and friends. 1.3 is god the only one you are singing to? David was anointed King of Israel, was hailed a hero for conquering Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the king’s daughter – he had it all going for him. But we can learn from David that our destiny was not determined by difficult moments. If I had this strong of a belief that God’s hand was in every effort of my day, I would be a lot more content with each days’ accomplishments. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How did I get myself here?”. Isaiah was chosen by God to deliver an important message to the Israelites. When Christians are not experiencing the personal joy and inspiration of Bible reading, then something will be missing in them as well as the community of believers with whom they fellowship. 1. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Our vulnerable prayers unlock a deeper level of intimacy with God. She believed that victory was already hers through God. ... in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, Ecclesiastes 7:14.

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