Triumph Through Trials

There are times in everyone's life where they feel they cannot take even one more defeat, no matter how small. There are times even in Christian's lives when we are so battle weary that we find it hard to utter out anything more than, “Help me, God.” My life has been like that for the past several months. I've been tired and worn out from all the things this world has thrown at me. My eyes began to look at the circumstances and meditate on them instead of on the promises and Word of God. I began to question myself and my calling. I became apathetic and lethargic. It seemed as if the enemy was winning. But God… The enemy may come in like a flood, BUT GOD says He will lift a standard against him and put him to flight! (Isaiah 59:19). Hallelujah! The enemy has tried so many times in my life to knock me out of the race. And each time, though, I may fall to my knees and it may seem like I will not rise again… God always stirs a fire in my heart that begins to burn with anger, a righteous indignation, and I rise up with both fists swinging and stronger than before. I am so thankful that even when I don't have the strength to hold on, God never lets me go.

As I was pressing in this morning, determined to focus on God's Word and not my circumstance, I was meditating on James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience,” when God reminded me of why I can be joyful when it seems I'm being persecuted on every side. You see, when God is getting ready to move in our lives or bring us blessings, there is a stirring in the heavenlies. He is putting things in place, rearranging our lives, preparing us to receive. Now, while Satan does not know the plans God has for us, he is smart enough to know that when the angels begin to gather and stir around our lives…something is about to happen. Satan knows that the only way he can prevent us from receiving that blessing, going to that next level in the things of God, is to shake our faith, knock us out of the race, so that WE stop the blessings from coming.

I was also reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” This comfort that God so graciously poured into me this morning is not just for me, but for me to share with others. Because I promise you, whatever you are going through, there are many others around you that are going through the same thing. I have seen so many righteous and faithful people being attacked and plundered by the enemy through finances, relationships, health issues, and such lately. Which tells me there is a STRONG stirring in the atmosphere over our lives and revival is about to break out in the land! Hallelujah! And the only way Satan knows how to stop it is to take out those whose walk is strong in the Lord. I don't know about you, but that makes me so thankful that the enemy has chosen me to attack! I was actually thanking Satan for his feeble attacks on my life this morning because that has enabled me to muster up even more strength, even more faith, and even more fervor in which to serve my Lord and Savior! Man! That gets me so excited and pumped that I do believe if I was in a church service right now I might be running around the building or jumping the pews!

There is one thing I know for sure and that God has promised me…whatever the enemy takes from me…GOD will restore to me even more. So I just want to encourage you this morning. If it feels like you are being taken down. If it feels as though all that is important to you is being taken away. If it feels like all hope is lost. Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. This battle is fought by all believers as one body. And take comfort in knowing that GOD is leading the battle with all His mighty warriors. We don't really even have to lift a finger. The only thing required of us is to believe, stay in faith, and stand. He is the first and the last, besides Him there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6) He has gone before us in this battle and He is preparing the way for us to walk in victory. Isaiah 45 says, “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, (ALL of His children are His anointed.) “To Cyrus (insert your name there) whose right hand I have held to subdue the nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasure of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.” God is for YOU. Not just those who are preachers or teachers of the Word…but ALL of His children. And if God is for you, who can be against you! (Romans 8:31).

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord {be empowered through your union with Him}; draw your strength from Him {that strength which His boundless might provides}. Put on God's whole armor {the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies}, that you may be able to successfully stand up against {all} the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood {contending only with physical opponents}, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against {the master spirits who are} the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly {supernatural} sphere. Therefore put on Gods complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day {of danger}, and having done all {the crisis demands}, to stand {firmly in your place}. Ephesians 6:10-13 (Amplified)

His Princess

Love Letters From Your King

By Sheri Rose Shepherd

  www.HisPrincess.com

My Princess…

Triumph Through Trials

For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

James 1:3-4

I see you when you are in the garden of grief, My princess. I hear your cry for help in the dark hours of the night. I Myself cried out in the garden the night I was betrayed. In My suffering I asked My Father for another way – a less painful way. Yet, I trusted His will and purpose for My life and knew the ultimate victory was at the cross. Just as olives must be crushed to make oil, I poured out My life as a love offering for you. Don't ever doubt that I am with you and that I long to take you to a place of comfort, peace, and victory. Even when you cannot see Me from where you are, I am working on your behalf. Give to Me the crushing weight of your circumstances, and come to Me in prayer. When it is time to leave the garden, I will walk with you across the valley and straight to the cross – where your trials will be transformed into triumph.

Love,

Your Savior and your Victor