Keeping Faith In Time Of Adversity

By Pastor Matthew

I wanted to take this time to write a blog that will encourage those that are finding themselves in hard times.  I know there are many looking for answers when it comes to their health, their careers, their children, their financial situation, and the list goes on.  I want you all to know that there is no easy fix, or simple answer to what you are going through.  However, as “Christian Believers” we do have an answer that will help us get through!  His name is Jesus Christ.  When those in the world live their lives for the sole purpose of power, prestige, and financial riches, when those hard times come, they will see it as a horrific and scary dilemma.  As children of the Most High God, we need to see these hard times, whatever they may be, as an opportunity to draw closer to our Savior, and watch Him work out each and every problem we face.  Jesus wants a deeper relationship with us, and hard times make for a great opportunity for that to occur.  Jesus never desires for us to go through these tough times, but He tells us that we will, and in those times we need to run to Him and allow Him to work in the situation at hand.

Regardless of how strong you are in the scriptures or prayer, at some point in your Christian life you will encounter these hardships.  Jesus Himself said that we would suffer tribulation in the world (John 16:33).  In some sense most believers realize this; however, when the hard times come our response to the difficulties say otherwise.  How should you respond as a Christian when hard situations appear?  Here are some practical tips to help keep you on the straight and narrow path.

• Be Still When bad things happen. We have a tendency to get emotional. That is not wrong at all; God gave us emotions for a reason. It is okay to feel angry, sad, disappointed, or whatever other emotions happen to develop. Just realize it is not a good time to react or respond while your emotions are on overdrive. When you react out of your emotions you will usually end up attempting to do things in your own strength, which is exactly the opposite of how things work in the Kingdom of God. The bible says in Psalm 37:7 to “Cease striving and know that He is God.” Let your emotions run their course, but do not act based on how you feel.
   
• Focus on what you know about God when trouble hits. The problem is not that we do not know how to focus. The problem is that we often focus on the problem, which will do nothing to solve it. The object is to not let anything become bigger in your sight than God.
   
• Focus on Him and what you know to be true. If you believe that Jesus is good and has your best interest at heart, allow that to give you strength to ask and trust Him for help. Unfortunately, if you fail to focus on what you know, then you will find that your solutions will be few and far in between. It is a trick of Satan to get you to focus on the problem, because then you will not be able to see the way out.
   
• Even after you have calmed your emotions and you have focused on Jesus, you still have to wait at times to see the answers that you received from the Lord to materialize. This can be an interesting time, and you have to make sure that all voices that compete with the Lord’s in your life are silenced. If there are people around you that are not going to walk in faith with you, limit your conversation with them concerning the issue at hand. Do not allow them to plant thoughts of failure and despair into your life. Proverbs says to watch over your heart, because from your heart flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23)
   
• When words contrary to God’s promises take root in your heart, then you find that your strength and faith will diminish, making it harder for you to see God’s provision. Do not allow this to happen. Make your environment one where the promises of God thrive.

Pastor Matthew                                         

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