All to often, unpleasant circumstances come our way & we just accept it & call it a test or trial. In all honesty, it could be a couple of different things.
It could be the result of bad decisions that we have made. It is a part of life, there are always consequences for mistakes.
GALATIANS 6:7 ESV - Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap.
Other times, it could be the enemy, Satan, attacking us. His tactics are not new, they are the same since the beginning of time.
Regardless of the reason, we must get into the habit of seeking God in every single circumstance, good bad or ugly. Sometimes, we just have no idea why something is happening to us. That requires God's wisdom, we are just not spiritually discerning enough to figure these things out. During a season of difficulty in your life, seek God with humility. Ask for forgiveness of anything you may have done. Ask for wisdom & discernment. This is not something that comes instantly, it only comes if we continue to seek God.
Discernment - the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure
Philippians 1:9 ESV - And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment.
Sometimes we will go through situations & never know the real reason why. This does not need to discourage us or cause us to be mad at God for "allowing this to happen".
Matthew 5:45 ESV - so that you may be son of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
We do not need to blame God for every bad thing that comes down the pipe.
One thing, I have learned, especially over the last two very difficult years, is that regardless of how bad it may be, I refuse to accept that this extremely difficult season is just a part of life, just another day, oh well.
Jermiah 29:11 AMP - For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
God's desire is for us to be at peace. He does NOT desire disaster for us. My father's love for me is unfathomable, more than I can even imagine. This love & the knowledge of Jeremiah 29:11 increases my faith & gives me the strength that I need to keep praying, keep moving, keep reading his word, regardless of how bad it may get. I refuse to sit & wallow is self-pity & wonder "HOW AM I GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS." It is not up to me to figure this out. I will pray & keep on praying with earnestness & humility & standing on his word, knowing that it is true, and let My God, in his infinite wisdom figure this situation out for me.
Psalm 34:15 ESV - the eyes of the Lord is toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
Yes, He hears every single prayer & sees every single tear & hears every time we cry out to Him for help.
Isaiah 55:11 AMP - So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to be void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
When we pray & read his word, we must stand on his promises & speak his word out loud. That is where faith is built up & the enemy is defeated. But if we choose to speak in a defeated and negative manner our faith is defeated & the enemy is built up.
Proverbs 18:21 AMP - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
So my sister, make a choice today to no longer allow the enemy to win. Whether you are in good times or bad, pray and speak God's word out loud, & let the enemy know his place, UNDER YOUR FEET!!
Luke 10:19 ESV - Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you
