We all go through them
There’s a false belief in the body of believers (the church). This belief is “if things aren’t going good, or you’re under attack, or if bad things keep happening, then you must not be blessed or in God’s will”. That’s a lie! I’ve heard believers say things like, “ maybe I should be giving bigger offerings and this wouldn’t be happening to me.” That’s a lie. I’ve heard conversations where they allude to someone must not be living right, if they were, this wouldn’t be happening and that’s a lie! Too many believers are under the mindset that God is out to punish them, because “I am saved how else can; I justify this bad stuff happening, it must be God”, and that’s a lie also!
The Bible is full of lessons that show people who are in God’s will and they still get attacked. Daniel in the lion’s den, the three Hebrew’s boys doing God’s will still were thrown in the fire. Just because it appears that things may not be working out like you want at the moment does not mean God has left you or you’re not in God’s will. (Let me be clear I am talking about believers trying to live right and a righteous lifestyle).
God does not keep you from problems,
He proves you and Himself through your problems.
Don’t think that God is not allowing us to be tested. Jesus went through 40 days of fasting then; a testing so God could trust him. Problems in our lives do the same thing for us. We learn to trust God and He learns to trust us. Life in the kingdom is about proving your faith that’s why there has to be works behind your faith. In the kingdom you have to qualify to move to the next level.
“What have you done for me lately” is the faith level of many believers, because they don’t know God, their faith waivers and their faith waivers because they don’t know God. This level of belief is always measuring God by what He does or doesn’t do for them, or should I say what they perceive He does or doesn’t do for them. I believe that it’s this level of faith that
perpetuates the false belief I spoke of earlier “If things aren’t going good I must not be blessed”. That type of thinking comes from that level of faith. The source of that lie is from Satan, he planted it in the church and it can be uprooted with understanding of how to deal with attacks, problems and hard times. There has to be a shift in your thinking from blame and why, to I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Your attitude must become an overcomers attitude. Ultimately your faith has to grow and that’s done by the challenges you overcome with God’s help. The Bible prepares us for all the issues of life. The key is to include God in on how to handle the problem He has the solution for whatever you face.
John 16 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Mark 4 (NIV)
17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
1 Corinthians 10 (NIV)
13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Peter 4 (NIV)
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Psalm 46 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
A.R. Bernard taught me this back in the 1990’s “Either it’s God sent or God used”. What that means is God will use what He has to work with, it does not matter. He’ll work it out for your good. Your part is to stay in faith, because it may not make sense but it always makes faith. Trust God and pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Seek the word because the word works if you work it.
Randy McKinney