There is a place that each of us will be at at one point or another in our walk with God. It's a place that isn't fun, but it's a place where you can really grow if you handle it the right way...the way that honors God. The place I'm talking about is praising God and pushing through even when you feel the enemy throwing everything at you at once...even though you feel like cursing the world or your situations. So how do you do this? And what can God teach you as you do?
The number one verse that I think represents a time like this in our life is James 1:12. It says "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him". (ESV) The New King James version states it as "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried...". I like how both versions state this because the truth is you are under trial and you will be tempted to just give up or blow it when the enemy is pushing you to your limit. And I don't say that as a statement of weakness on your part, I say it because the goal of the enemy is to find what "works" on us and then to wear us down the best he can. I know because I have felt pressure from the enemy just like this and there have been moments I have handled it well and moments I haven't, and the biggest difference between the two was whether I was relying on myself, or relying on God. The absolute best thing we can do when life gets hard is hand it over to God. I know that sounds easier said than done, but it's really true and it's very possible. The thing you have to do is see the plans of the enemy. You have to recognize that whether the object of your anger is another person, a set of circumstances, a job, or whatever....what it really is is the enemy using what he can to get to you. And the moment you step back and look at the situation in this way it is so much easier to say, "I'm not battling flesh and blood here, I'm battling the enemy. And I can't battle him in my own strength so I'm taking this to God". (see Ephesians 6:12) And as you take this to God and ask for help, you also need to see that the other goal of the enemy (besides making you mad) is to cause distance between you and God. He knows if he can get you to physically blow your top, then out of shame you will distance yourself from God. And if he can only get your blood to boil, then you won't feel like praising God. So as soon as you realize this is the plan of the enemy you cut him off and you go straight to God. You praise Him for anything and everything good in your life that you can think of. Because even in the worst of any situation there is still something in your life that you can recognize as good and give God the glory for it. You then ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in how you deal with everything that is coming at you. And then you ask God to go to fight for you. To take the things that you can not handle and allow you to prioritize what is really worth worrying about. I have personally done this and it really does help God will show you what is worth your time, and what is not. And be prepared to be stretched by God. Sometimes what He will show you to do is not going to be easy. But His goal is to take a situation that looks bad and make something good of it. For example, you may be in a tense situation with someone and even though you know they are not 100% right, God will nudge you to go make peace with them. And part of that may be apologizing to them before they apologize to you. And in this God will teach you the real meaning of meekness and being humble. Not for their sake, not for your sake, but for His honor. And when He sees that you can humble yourself and react in a way that honors Him then you have just opened the door to receive His blessings. As well as reflected His image to those around you.
God sees what we do not...always! So we have to trust Him even when it doesn't make sense. We have to praise Him when it goes against what our flesh wants. And we have to defeat the enemy by not allowing him to dictate our reaction when something goes wrong. What the enemy doesn't want us to realize is that our light can shine more in there type of situations than it can when everything is going right.
God, thank You that You are ALWAYS there for us to lean on. Help us to also recognize the plans of the enemy and not give him room to move in our lives. Holy Spirit please give us the wisdom to not try things our way first, and then run to God, but instead to lay everything down at God's feet first and allow Him to teach us. Giving honor and glory to Him as we walk out His path. In Jesus name, Amen
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