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Monday, October 19, 2020

Getting through Trials and Afflictions

Getting through Trials and Afflictions, By Gregory A. Johnson

As we follow Christ, there will be many times when our journey will take us through trials and afflictions that test our faith. During these times, we need to cry out to God with a simple prayer: "Father God, help me through this. I don't know what else to do but to wait for you and your help."

There are times in my walk with Jesus, I pray that prayer, and I still have worry and anxiety. I've learned to recognize that these fears are the fruit of the sin of unbelief, and so now, I quickly repent and ask the Lord to forgive me and to renew my trust in him.

The best thing we can do in our times of trial and affliction is to ask the Lord for help, and then wait on him to help us. You can rest assured that help will come, but you must know that it will come in his time and in his way.

King David was a man who knew trials and tribulations. His faith was tested throughout his life. He was not a perfect man, but he had a heart for God, and he learned to wait on the Lord for help.

David depended on God's help in the shepherd's field as he went up against the lion and the bear. David depended on God's help on the battlefield as he went up against Goliath with a sling and a few pebbles. His trials and afflictions did not end in the shepherd's field or on the battlefield, but he could ponder on these victories to get him through each trial and affliction that came his way. Listen to his words today and let the Lord minister to you:
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD (Psalms 40:1-3 ESV).
How can you get through trials and afflictions when your faith is tested? Let me give you three steps:
  • Pray, asking God for help.
  • Stand firm, waiting on God's help.
  • Instead of worrying and fretting, reflect on how God has helped you in the past.
Beloved, you can trust the Lord to help you. Amid trials and afflictions when your faith is tested, be quick to cry to the Lord for help. God's help will come as you wait on Him. As you wait, you can reflect on all that he has brought you through in the past. He did it before; He will do it again. As others see you place your trust in the Lord, they will desire to put their trust in the Lord.

Know that you are loved,
gaj