Dealing with Difficulty
Every time we are confronted with opposition or a difficult situation we find ourselves at a new crossroad.
There are two distinctly different purposes for our trials. The enemy sends attacks our way to frighten us and cause us to cower in fear and retreat. Maybe you were beginning to win some battles by faith, but now you've been hit with some bad news and you experience a major set back. We live in a fallen world and let's face it, life isn't always easy and it's certainly not "fair." The thing is, God doesn't hide when we are faced with painful situations, but the diversion can cause us to turn away from Him into the direction of the problem. We then wonder where He's gone. You see, He too has a purpose for allowing the trials in our lives, but it's very different than the enemy's. God never allows us to experience opposition to destroy us. He's a good Father whose only desire is to cause His children to grow strong and bring us to a new level of faith and relationship with Him.
So we are standing at the crossroad. On the left is the road to destruction. It's paved with fear, anxiety, anger and blame. It causes us to retreat, giving up our dreams, faith, ministry, relationship with Christ and peace. On that road we focus on the problem and wonder how God could have ever allowed such a terrible thing to happen to us. We think about it day and night, until it leads us to cower in fear and ultimately our demise.
To the right is a road paved with the Word of God, faith and prayer. It leads to victory, peace and deeper trust in our Father. The cool thing is, on this road we don't have to walk alone, He holds our hand and He's with us every step of the way! When opposition comes you have the choice to run from Him or allow it to chase you into His arms. I CHOOSE JESUS!!!
He's waiting with arms wide open. Nothing that's happening is a surprise to Him. He's got the answers and He desires to share them with you!
Deuteronomy 30:15-19 (NLT) “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
John 10:9-11 (NKJV) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
