We all face difficult times that often come out of nowhere and overtake our lives with an overwhelming sense of dread. How we respond to stressful challenges is a true measure of our relationship with God. You may remember the familiar story from the book of Mark about a boat ride Jesus took with his disciples. When the disciples became afraid of the wind and waves overtaking their boat, they didn’t understand how Jesus could remain calm. His response to their fear is a simple truth we all need to ponder, “He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) Then with little effort, Jesus stopped the wind and calmed the sea.
As followers of Jesus, we are to trust and obey. When we focus our lives on following the teachings of Jesus, all of our battles are preordained to be victorious. It is our faith in Jesus Christ that has provided us with the ultimate victory over death. “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) And His intervention on our behalf continues until the end of time. We can’t lose with God on our side. These times of extreme pressure are used by God to help us grow closer to Him. Every challenge in our lives gives God a chance to demonstrate his faithfulness. Ultimately, every one of these dark moments will be extinguished and resolved through the awesome power of God and a blessing will follow.
If we look back on our lives, we can easily identify times of despair that were turned around by God’s intervention. Anyone who has been a believer for more than a few years can likely cite numerous examples of God’s love resolving what may have seemed like insurmountable odds. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) No one and no disruptive force can successfully oppose God. When we rely on the power of God rather than our own strength, we are unstoppable. In every situation we need to look beyond our own abilities and take hold of the power of the Holy Spirit living inside.
Know this: The strength and wisdom of your Lord and Savior will always prevail. Reject those who are telling you otherwise. Those who do not know Jesus have little understanding of what He can accomplish on our behalf; they depend on the flimsy tools of this world for their defense. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) As followers of Jesus, we are relying on the power of God. All of our battles belong to the Lord. When we respond to our struggles with a positive affirmation of our faith in Jesus, there is absolutely nothing that can stand in our way. No matter what you are going through, declare out loud your ultimate victory as you joyfully endure God’s challenge. Let your struggle move you closer to Him, and receive the strength and wisdom He will provide. In the end, you will be greatly blessed.
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