OVERCOMING TRIALS

K Taylor noted the following: “In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, Paul writes about all the trouble he endured on his journeys to spread the gospel:

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
The last statement shows Paul’s “why” – the reason he endured all of the trouble. If most of us had to endure what Paul did, we would have said, “Forget this; this is too hard. I am going home!”

But because of Paul’s love for the church and his desire to please God, he stayed the course.

So your first step in triumphing over trials and tribulation is to determine your “why?” Why is it important to you to stand strong to the end?

And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Many people do not endure when trouble comes. They give up and quit at the first sign of trouble.

That is a heart issue, which is why having a strong “why” is so important from the beginning.”

This article shows that we need to know why we want to endure, why we want to quit, and why we want to please God. Pray, “Father, help me to always remember “why” I want to quit.” Consider meditating for 5 minutes each day on that prayer.

If you are like I was. You go through a constant cycle of... Bad things happen and then you fall. Instead of that, realize that your trial is producing perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Pray: “Father, I will push through and flee from lust. Fill me with character and hope.” Study Paul and strive to be like Paul.
We only have x number of opportunities to obey or to learn from tribulation. A thought for meditation.

Know why you want to quit! Know that living right is the key to your purpose and joy. Now, use your new knowledge to know why you should go to an all-out war with addiction.

 

When trials come, stay disciplined... keep your hope! Never say, life will stink until _____ (Fill in the disaster that is facing you) ends. Insist (Like Paul did) on having an urgent dynamic relationship with God "in" the trial. Don't say, I will be happy when it is the weekend, or when I have more money, or when I am retired. Decide to pursue your fullness of joy now. If you don't currently have it pray:

"Father, show me how to start to be filled with joy?"

Ask yourself this question. How can I make better choices this week?

Secondly, pray and ask for help in your trial. You will either get your help, or you will learn something. Paul was okay with either answer. Then, Paul would pray: Your will be done. That is a spectacular habit to get into.

Plainbibleteaching noted the following:

“It is not always easy to praise God in the midst of trials. But we must remember that God made it so that man would have both good and bad days in life. The wise man wrote, “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him” (Ecclesiastes 7:14). Solomon’s point was that we must learn that life is uncertain. Therefore, we must put our hope and trust in the one who is constant – God.

Do not let temporary hardships cloud your perspective. Even in difficult times, God is worthy of praise as we consider His providence and His promises to the faithful. Remember the example of Job. After losing his wealth and his children, he did not blame God or curse Him. Instead, he praised God: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord’” (Job 1:20-21). If we fail to praise God, we will lose sight of the one who is the source of every good blessing (James 1:17). This will only make our trials harder to handle.

Patience
Because of the difficulties that exist in this life, patience is necessary in order to receive the things which God has promised His people. The Hebrew writer told the brethren to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). Without such patience, one will eventually be overcome by the trials of life.

James explained that dealing with trials in life helps us to develop patience (endurance), which leads to perfection: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Remember that every trial in life is only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:17). Do not allow the “worries…of this life” to choke out the Word (Luke 8:14).

Perseverance
Perseverance is about continuing to do good despite the conditions around us. Jesus said that the one with “an honest and good heart” will “bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15). If we “seek…eternal life,” we must persevere “in doing good” (Romans 2:7).

Conclusion
When trials come in life – and they will – do not let them distract you from what you ought to be focused on. Do not let them turn you from God. Instead, pray to God and praise Him, remember His providence and His promises, and always display patience and perseverance in your life. Life is not always easy, but you can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).”

Pray: “Father, help me to be patient.”

Pray: “Father, fill me with Your strength in this trial and help me to focus on good works.

Paul allowed trials to mold him into the great “Paul.” By following the steps that he followed, we might just become a little more like him.