Introduction
This piece of writing is a remembrancer of the fact that challenges and issues of life are part of Christian faith because Christians have not been insulated from trials and issues that confront human beings. It further encourages Christians to prepare adequately for trials and confront challenges of life with the right attitudes, because everything we go through in life works together for our good.
Welcoming Trials
Not all trials are mediated and executed by demons and witchcraft spirits. Some trials genuinely come to our ways because God has sanctioned them. You are advised to:
Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations (Jams I:2) Knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience (Jams I:3). But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jams I:4).
Some people without Christ Jesus may resort to suicide and self-injuries when they go through
troubles. The reason might be that they do not know how to handle shame or humiliations, but this is not the case with believers. Believers are supposed to be rejoicing in trying moments for the hope that God is with them in their situation. This encourages David to write that “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psa 23:4). The assurance that the Lord God is with you in turbulent times would provide you with the comfort you need to endure the trials.
Again, as indicated above, you need to understand that trials and challenges are not intended to destroy you but for your good; to strengthen you and develop patience in you as well as to mature you. It is contended that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord (Rom 8:28). When you think that you are the only person going through life challenges, remember that “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” (1Co 10:13). God is concerned about you and cares for you. He would never sit idly and watch the enemy to triumph over you. Agree and pray with David that “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me” (Psa 25:2), and you would surely be redeemed. When you are overwhelmed and do not know what to do about your deplorable condition, it would also be advisable to seek pastoral or professional counseling.
When you think that life is too hard for you and all hope is gone, remember the words of God which say that “behold, I am the Lord, the Lord of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jer 32:17, 27). Nothing is too hard and impossible for God to do (Matt 19:26, Mk 10:27). It does not matter how difficult life is for you, as long as you abide in Christ, do remind yourself, that, numerous are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord God Almighty delivers them from them all (Psa 34:19).
Also, prepare your mind to accept that there are good times and bad times. This Paul knows well as he testifies that he knows how to be abased and how to abound, for in all things he is instructed to live in hunger and in abundance, both to suffer and to abound (Phil 4:12). He also mentions that challenges were part of their daily lives as mentions that “we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2Co 4:8-9). Paul´s statement here suggests that when the enemy seems to be defeating you and winning the battle, the Lord would surely be your strength for you to stay on top. The enemy would not be able to defeat you, for it is written “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” (1Co 10:13).
Conclusion
Christians need to accept the fact that trials and temptations come in the way of all people, and that we go through them for the purpose that we would be mature and complete, as they develop our character. Every challenge in our lives is what we can bear since God would not allow that which we cannot withstand to come our way.
Prayer: Dear Almighty Father, we thank you for your love and care upon our lives. Sometimes we feel abandoned and rejected due to the overwhelming challenges that confront our lives. We pray you to strengthen us all the time and help us to endure afflictions to your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ.