I’m always saying, “I’m “bigger on the inside”. It’s like I am “pregnant” with what God has revealed and promised me. The bible explains it as, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11:1).
While awaiting delivery day on those things you are praying, believing and carrying around on the inside, I recommend being mindful of what you speak, hear and listen to and finding what the Bible says about testings and trials so that you will keep praying and believing even when it seems things are taking a long time.
An important truth to also understand is that even though tradition and religion say that trials and tribulations develop faith that’s not what God says. The Bible says that” faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:16)
“Let no one say when he is tempted say, “I am tempted by God”, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone“. (James 1:12-14)
Any trials and tribulations we may travel through do however develop PATIENCE.
James 1:2 says, “my brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
When pressure (tribulation) comes, our faith based on God’s Word and undergirded by patience will enable us to hold on, keep praying, and not let go of God’s promises. God is for us and not trying to harm us, and will be working behind the scenes to bring His promises to pass in our lives.
Suffering is more often than not the result of Satan’s attack. He is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) Jesus himself declared, “I have come to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) It’s wise to also check that any suffering is not self-induced as a result of our own lack of trust in God’s goodness, so we’ve taken matters into our own hands and ran ahead of what God is doing or we’ve stepped outside of His will.
Troubles may come our way, but through the goodness of God, He will always make a way for us to triumph. (2 Cor 2:14)
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
1 John 5:4 ” For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith”.
I encourage you to keep praying, and instead of being on the defensive and waiting for the next bad thing to happen, to go on the offensive? Exert the force of faith in your life and circumstances. Get into God’s Word and discover for yourself that God wants to bless and prosper you, to give you hope and a future. Don’t settle for less than what Jesus died and rose again to provide you with.
Today put some pressure on and push back – “Resist the devil, and he will flee” (James 4:7). If you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you have resurrection, hardcore, devil stomping dynamo power on the inside of you! See where the real enemy and origin of the trial and pressure come from and make a stand. Get the Word out, and pray. Your promise is on the way.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. “. (Ephesians 6:12)
Prayer: Lord, help me to hold on to the promise you have spoken to me and to keep praying and believing. Thank you that I have resurrection, hardcore, devil stomping, dynamo power inside me that causes me to triumph. I stand in faith and patience today. In Jesus Name Amen