HOPE AMIDST TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS!

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo

Romans 8:37 (AMP)

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]” 

We were created by God to be conquerors, and therefore we are expected to have a victor’s mindset. The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) that; “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” 

It is therefore clear that we are more than conquerors and thus we have to think of ourselves as victors in Jesus's name. So, no matter what challenges you are facing, no matter what battles you fighting, no matter challenges are before you, your perception and mindset should be towards victory - that is God’s plan for our lives.

In this life we are certain to face challenges and problems; however, we must understand that what determines our victory is our perception of God and the problems before us. You cannot exclude challenges, for they are part of life. We are in a world with many challenges and trials that seek to derail us but yet we press on and walk the narrow road. Jesus encourages us to be strong because there are so many tribulations in this world and a great deal of sorrow. He reminds us that He overcame the world and we too shall overcome. John 16:33 (AMP) says;

“In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

Perceive Redemption Amidst Tribulations!

We still have so many tribulations and distress in this world and we are yet to encounter even greater ones because we are living in the latter days. However, we need to remember that the increase in these trials and tribulations is not important, but what is critical is the way we perceive them. We are all challenged by various giants (1 Samuel 17:8-11).

As a church, we should learn to see a way out of the trials and tribulations, and instead see an opportunity or even victory out of whatever challenges come our way. Develop a different perception when it comes to problems and trials. Yes, we shall encounter them wherever we go therefore running from them is not the solution however far you may go. You cannot run forever, and sometimes the more you run from a problem, the bigger it gets. Challenges must exist; they have always been in existence and will continue to be. But how were the victors in the past able to overcome? The answer lies in the way they viewed trials and challenges they encountered. 

Luke 23:39-43 (NASB) says;

“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

We can take an example of the two criminals crucified with Christ and facing the same punishment and pain at the cross; all were going through the pain of the nails driven through their palms.  One man mocked Jesus and told him to save Himself and them, the other defended him. This second man looks at Jesus and sees redemption and a pathway to the Kingdom of heaven. The two criminals were facing the same condemnation and suffering but each with a different perspective amidst their pain and suffering

In the church today, Christians face similar trials and challenges such as; unemployment, lack, poverty, barrenness and many others. The way you view such challenges and problems is important. From what side are you looking at the problem? Is your perspective carnal or spiritual? Amidst problems do you grumble, mock God or do you see redemption through Christ?

The Battle is God’s, Not Yours

2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (NLT)

“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.  17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Every time you are at the same level with your trials or problems, you will easily be defeated, but when you surrender your trials or battles to the Most High God, you will watch Him fight them, if you take your position and stand still

When the Moabites and Ammonites declared war against Jehoshaphat, he sought the Lord for guidance (2 Chronicles 20:3). When they handed their issues to God, He took charge; they did not have to fight even though they had weapons but just needed to position themselves and stand still. When trials or problems are beyond your control, the best thing to do is to surrender them to God, take your position and stand-still (on the rock – Word of God). Standing on the rock will give you stability because no problem or trial can overcome the rock. Jesus said in Mathew 7:24-25 (NKJV) that;

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

From the scripture we read that the battle was gaining momentum and God was aware; there were nations preparing to wage war against the Jews, but when they sought God, He simply told them that the battle wasn’t theirs but His. This informs us that the first thing to do when surrounded by trials or problems is to seek God’s guidance and intervention. And when you seek God, He surely comes to your rescue, takes all your burdens and you will find rest. The people of Judah followed the Lord’s instruction and He delivered them (2 Chronicles 20:18-28). They went singing and praising the Lord and every time they praised, their enemies were confused, they turned on each other and destroyed themselves completely.

Some trials are not yours but the Lord’s and all He expects of you is to surrender them unto Him, take your position and stand still on the rock, and let Him fight the battles so that He can give you victory. One of the reasons why we get disappointed is because we try to fix what we can’t fix or solve what can’t be solved. Some Christians get consumed by problems because they stand on the wrong words, but amidst the trials and storms of life, fight a good fight by standing still on the word of God and prophesy you received from the servants of God. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12 (AMP) that;

“Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses”

Be encouraged, there is salvation for the trials and problems you are facing. And how do you achieve it? Stand still on the rock - word of God

Salvation is Closer Than You Think

Genesis 21:15-20 (ESV)

 “When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow.”

For every problem you face there is a solution that God worked out even before your existence. The Lord knew us even before we were in existence, and were created for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Before you existed, God knew you and he created a refuge for you.

Look at Ishmael and Hagar’s situation above. Hagar was sitting in the presence of a well, and yet hopeless about her helpless situation without water for the young one. Oh, how near are many of our solutions. Oh, how close is our salvation! But we don't usually see it because trials and problems blind our vision. When we can’t see our situation with clear spiritual vision then we tend to grip on our earthly circumstances. But when the eyes of our heart are wide open to God’s truth, then the light of his word cuts through the fog of hopelessness. Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have spiritual eyes to see. Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) says;

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people”

When God opens the eyes of our hearts then we can see him for who he is; and also understand that the situation will change for good. Amidst trials and challenges. Always pray to God to give you sight, so that you can see the well that is nearby. God had created that well long before Ishmael was born. This goes to show you that in life we shall face challenges, lack at a certain time but take heart because God is closer (Acts 17:26-27) and salvation is nearer (Romans 13:11) 

There is More on Your Side

2 Kings 6:15-17 (TLB)

“So one night the king of Syria sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. 15 When the prophet’s servant got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Alas, my master, what shall we do now?” he cried out to Elisha. 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For our army is bigger than theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes so that he could see horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountain!”

If only we knew that God is on our side and has more on our side, we could struggle less and trust Him more. In the scripture above we see that Elisha’s servant saw a mighty army but what God was planning was different. It may look like you are surrounded by lots of enemies but know that God has more on your side to protect you; it may look like you have lots of problems but know that God has a myriad solutions at his disposal – it’s all about perception.

There is Another Amidst the Fire

Daniel 3:21-25 (NKJV)

Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

For anyone born of water and the Spirit should be assured that amidst trials and problems you are not alone. God is in you and with you, because as He promised, He will never leave nor forsake you (Deuterenomy 3:16). The problem with some of us is that during trials or challenges instead of lifting our faith, we lift our fear which drives out his presence and intervention. But if you keep the faith and trust God and His word, you will never be consumed by fiery fire of trials and problems of this world because only Him can extinguish them and save you (Isaiah 43:2).

Do you feel like you’re already standing in the centre of trials and challenges which are burning seven times hotter than usual? Do you feel like on your own you cannot keep going? Do you see that fourth person standing in the flames with you? Do you see him suffer for you and protect you? Do you believe his promise that soon your pain or problems will be no more? Do you believe that Salvation is on the way? Do you know the depth and breadth of his love for you? Do you know he is fighting for you, even now?

Don’t let the deceiver steal your faith, hope and courage; don’t let him sow doubt and fear in your heart; don’t let flames of trials and persecution scorch your faith. But let the rain of hope water your mind, and do not give up in the fight of faith. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself, so that you do not grow weary. You will be delivered from this furnace and rise in victory. In the grace that God supplies, stand still and know that God is able to deliver you from the furnace of pain and suffering

In the trap of trials, amidst a sea of problems, in a scotching fire of persecutions, you are not alone. Have faith and know that God is with you, and for you and you will not be consumed but will see his victory

Our Refuge is in the Lord!

Psalms 91:2 (NLT)

“This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.“

On the battlefield, the first thing a soldier will do is to dig out trenches in which to hide. Soldiers do not only rely on their weapons, but on the right place for them to tactfully have the advantage over their enemy. They do not engage their guns immediately, but they first establish safe haven to either camouflage or fortify their establishment.

We all face challenges, even the Rhema word is challenged by the devil, however, what matters is what you do, or where you run for refuge when problems roar or trials strike. The right place to take refuge is in the Lord, and to stand still on His Word. Some Christians are defeated by trials or challenges because they magnify the problems at hand (Numbers 13:30-33), and forget about the Mighty hand of the saving God. But we should learn from David who had a better perception; he didn’t exalt the size of the giant as others did but considered the greatness of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Amidst your problems and trials see an opportunity and perceive victory.

Amidst life’s battles, challenges, trials, tribulations and storms of life, perceive Jesus’ redemption, know that the battle is not yours but the Lord’s, salvation is near, there is more on your side than you can see, God is with you and will give you victory

James 1:2-3 (AMP)

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace]”