Through It | Navigating Trials with Faith and Resilience
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Romans 15:4
Genesis 37-50
Exodus 13: 17-21
Ephesians 2:8
2 Thessalonians 2:16
Galatians 5:5
James 1:3
SHOW NOTES:
There is a phrase that states, “Life doesn’t happen to me, life happens for me,” meaning God is always working all things together for good even in the seasons that seem like you’re going through it. If you’ve ever gone through something or if you’re currently going “through it,” my prayer is that your perspective of the situation can or has changed. See, you can have a perspective that God isn’t absent from your situation no matter how it seems. When we surrender our difficulties to Him, He turns them around to use trials for His good and helps us transform into a better version of ourselves.
Although we may want to go from point A to point B, God wants to do something in our throughseason. God is in the mindset of seeing destinies fulfilled and is all about the process. Through endurance and His Word, we can find the strength to walk above what is coming at us. We may be going through it, but it doesn’t have to affect us. You can go through the fire and come out not smelling like smoke!
As James 1:3 communicates, trials create perseverance, character, and faith. It’s where the rubber meets the road where we can see how mature we are in our faith. Going through some things can reveal the areas that we need to get better at putting faith into action, but as long as you’re committed to God’s Word, you’re being propelled into your destiny and growing in the things of God even when you don’t realize it.
Every promise is an invitation to the process. Take the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt for example. God was bringing them out of Egypt, but He couldn’t take them directly to the Promised Land or else they would have faced giants that they were not mature enough to fight. God had to take them the long way through the desert so they could grow in different areas and become aware of who He was. A journey that could have been a couple of days was drawn out to take years so that they would be strong enough to keep what God had intended to give them. God knows us better than we know ourselves. God may be taking you longer to a promise or destination. You’re still getting to it, but God is first working in you to work through you!
Lessons from the Israelites in “going through it” —
When you’re going through a season, don’t complain! Complaining about it may make you endure it even longer! What you’re saying is either putting an amen to what God is saying or putting an amen to what the devil is trying to do in the throughseason. Use your words to speak life or shut your mouth!
Don’t build idols. God wants you to stay focused on Him and not build false idols. Whether that’s a bad habit or a bad relationship …are you keeping your eyes on God or looking elsewhere because you are uncomfortable? Stay on the potter’s wheel, but stick to it!
Don’t forfeit the promise. There is a purpose to the process, to the through, to the discomfort, to the pain…there is a way to stay in faith. Whatever you’re going through today, go through it in faith, go through it with grace, go through it with the Spirit of God, and don’t forfeit the promise.
God gives you your promise according to your potential, not your current situation. There will be times when you have to go through a refining period. It may feel like you’re in the middle of a desert or hardship–relationally, spiritually, emotionally–but you’re not alone. When we commit to the process, He is there in our midst. His faith, grace, and favor are upon you. The Spirit of God lives in us to lead and guide us. Nothing is too big for God. You’re fully equipped to go through it, step by step, one day at a time. You’re making progress and going forward in Jesus' Name