Philippians 4:4 NKJV “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Oh how difficult it is to rejoice when we are physical or emotional pain or conflicted with challenging situations. James tells us to rejoice when trials come. He says because of the good work God is doing in us through the trials – He’s developing our character. It is a call to rise above our situation.
How can we rejoice in pain and conflicts?
We can fill our minds with God’s Word. We can focus our thoughts squarely on God’s promises, knowing what He says He does. We can allow His Word to renew our thinking. Paul tells us in Philippians to think on things that are lovely, true, pure, right, praiseworthy and honorable rather than dwell on all that is distressing at the moment.
We can stay connected to God through prayer. We can pour out our anguish, fear, worry, and every other emotion threatening to sweep us away. As we do, we make room for God to fill us. Then we remember what God promised Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” God will be our strength.
Let the Lord be our comfort and our private shelter. He is with us and will not forsake us no matter what the situation looks or feels like. He is the help we need. As we turn to Him, we can say like the Psalmist did in Psalm 28:7 NKJV: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”
We don’t need to focus on the circumstances for they are always before us. Instead we can focus on all God does for us, through us and in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can be at peace during the trials if we will trust God. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast on you because he trusts you.”
So let the trials come. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Nothing can separate us from God’s love for us. Nothing can pluck us from His hand. Let us put on the armor of God and stand firm. We are not shaken. We stand. We are one in the Lord. We know the end of the story, God’s team wins. We are on God’s team – we are victorious in Christ Jesus.
Lord thank you for your life giving Word. You are a comfort as we run to you. Your grace is sufficient. Be our strength today. In Jesus’ name Amen.
In His Grace,
Elizabeth
Try Joyce Meyer’s “Battlefield of the Mind.” This is a great resource to help you refocus your thoughts. http://astore.amazon.com/thinkonitdail-20/detail/089296894X
But where is God when indescribable tempests surround the believer, seizing and crippling him/her with schizophrenia? or the most terrible kinds of abuse? or the most unbelievable spider-webs of confusion? Or obsessive-compulsive disorder, where if a person can’t find the answer to something, the person starts going insane?
It is difficult to understand but God is with us even in those extreme circumstances. We, with limited human understanding, cannot comprehend how God works all things for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Faith is what enables us to allow God to be God. We must trust His character. If we don’t know what His character is we need to study the Bible and He will reveal Himself to us. Thanks for visiting our site. Hope you are encouraged by the words of God.