Episode 8: Is God With Us in Tribulation?

Life is hard and tribulations are a guarantee in this world. When a circumstance shakes your faith, what do you do? Listen in to hear some encouraging truth from God's Word and be reminded that God IS for YOU! 

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Because God's got you... you've got this!!

Transcript

When things shake up your world, where do you put your trust? When things get hard, what do you do? When you feel overwhelmed, or like giving up, what’s your plan?

Life is so hard. And sometimes things seem too big. Sometimes we’re just trying to make it from one day to the next, sometimes one moment to the next.
Some of God’s children stay in this state for a long period of time. Sometimes it comes in sporadic spurts like waves crashing over us, catching us off guard.
The Lord says, in this world you WILL have tribulation. It’s a certainty. It’s a promise, and because he cares about us, He wants us to be somewhat prepared… not surprised by it. Tribulation is defined as great affliction, trial, or distress. It is also an experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith. Sometimes all of the above. And to be clear: Distress is brought on by being human in a fallen world, it is not a punishment from God. It’s a by-product of sin because of man’s willful disobedience. We are all affected by it through our choices and actions, and sometimes simply by nature taking its natural course.

When you experience tribulation, how do you respond? Do you blame God? Do you lash out at others? Do you self-sabotage in your despair? Do you turn into the Lord.. or away from Him?
This intense hardship comes in a lot of different forms. Perhaps it’s losing someone very close to you, maybe it’s an unsatisfying and unkind marriage, it could be brought on by deep betrayal from a family member or friend, maybe it’s repeated disappointment of feeling denied something you’ve been praying earnestly for. Maybe it’s a diagnosis for a health condition that turns your world upside-down.
Friend, I’m so sorry and please know that the Lord hears your pain. There is nothing the Lord won’t walk through with you. There is nothing too big for him, or too hard for him or too insignificant. But…It’s one thing for me to offer you my words, and it’s far better to hear it straight from His word.
I hope this will be an encouragement to you.
Psalms 34:18 "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
Psalms 56:9 “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When dealing with an all-consuming circumstance, fear is often at its core. Fear is our mind perceiving a danger or a threat. When we face this uncertainty… We often jump to take control. Is this because we have trouble trusting God’s sufficiency is for us? Even though he says he is the God of ALL flesh? Do we think we can provide a better outcome than God? Even though He has promised if we keep our eyes fixed on Him he will direct us..and that His ways are superior to ours? Do we hold tight to our own vision because we don’t believe God’s promise that he will never leave us nor forsake us? Do we believe the lie that he only hears other people’s prayers? And Are we trusting God with our whole heart - or are we selective with when and what to hand over to him.
This fear caused by turmoil in our lives turns into despair when not properly handled with prayer and truth from God’s word. Fear and despair can be paralyzing, self-sabotaging, unpredictable, very dark and very painful… and isn’t this the very opposite of God’s attributes? The Father of lights in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning? That’s James 1:17 by the way.

Sometimes a tribulation is in the form of repeated disappointment stemming from a very strong desire for something. We know that the desire itself is not wrong, and is even perceived as a good thing…But as we endure this trial that requires long-suffering and patience, we should be careful to not elevate the outcome… or gift...more than the gift-giver. Even the best desires and outcomes we can think up can distract us from our true and only purpose to love him wholly and serve him with our whole being. So, if it’s become an idol that you have a hard time letting go of, it’s time to refocus and keep spending time in His word. I believe God smiles so much, when we turn our test… into our testimony.
When experiencing disappointment, overwhelm and uncertainty it is so hard to be cheerful, and yet, the Lord says be of good cheer when hardships come. We are to put our confidence in Him and lay ALL things at his feet- not selectively. We are to cast our cares on Him and leave them there. Sometimes in our frustration and sadness we push God away and take him out of the equation. When we do this, we are pushing away the only good parts, and hope for our future. The frustration, fear and despair have the upper hand when we don’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable with the Lord.
Child of the King, it is not too late to let go of the reins and live your life in surrender and service to him. Are you willing to risk uncertainty knowing that God’s way works a far greater reward for you than anything you can imagine on your own? Are you willing to see what He has in store for you when you submit your will to His? What the world has for us is nothing in comparison to what God gives those who diligently seek Him. Who set aside their own will to magnify His… trusting and obeying the creator of all things. We can pursue the kingdom of God even in the midst of tribulation. Hold tight to his promises because they are for you!!
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
Regardless of where you’ve been, there is hope for your situation. When you surrender to God the lies you’ve been fed, the plans you’ve made, and your broken heart, He gladly accepts that gift of vulnerability, trust and brokenness. Your own discards are his treasures and what you gain from this repeated surrender is a deeper relationship with Him, clearer direction, a better focus, more fulfillment and a greater hope in a future worthy of pursuing. Scriptures say His strength is made perfect in your weakness. He desires your weakness so that you can learn of him and see that He is exceedingly able to do above all that you ask or think.
Philippians 4:19 "God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Your ever-merciful Father, His ever-loving son Jesus Christ and the ever-interceding Holy Ghost, see you, know you intimately and care for you and they’re all working together on your behalf, to give you the best outcome that surpasses your understanding.
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Is your heart toward Him? Are you delighting in Him?

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for being our father. For being the only father we have that cannot fail or fall short in any way. Thank you for the awesome privilege to rest in you- help us to know what that means. What that looks like- how it feels. May whoever needs to hear this message feel your presence so strongly in their heart and soul and know that you truly are their saving grace. Help us to let go of what’s holding us back from giving you all of us. May we not cling to what’s comfortable and what seems easy, but please help us to step outside of ourselves, self-reflect, to dig deeper, to study your truths and commit to you. A relationship with you, a renewed trust in you… a total surrender to you, your will and your purpose for us. In Jesus' name, amen.