The number one place in my Bible that I turn to when it comes to trust is the Psalms. They need to endure incredible suffering and all kinds of torture without departing from God at any time. How come there is such injustice and oppression? With that being said, this post is basically a note to self for now and for future reference. When it comes to people overcoming their trials, the storms in life, they all had one thing in common. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2–4). He stood firm in his testimony during his trials, and thus gained God’s blessings. That ability to thrive (and not just survive) a trial is founded on three principles that we've discovered as we've learned about trusting God through difficult times. I believe I was being prayed for (around 10 am central time). What God does is convert words to faith, to love, and to life. When God tested him, he didn’t make a bit of his own choices or requirements but obeyed God absolutely instead, so God blessed him so that his descendants would be as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach or the stars in the sky, and would eventually become great nations. His name will be a constant reminder to Hagar that God has heard her cries of suffering. I’ve been entered into a time of waiting and I have been trying to trust the plans that God has for me. It is a guarantee that you will face hardships in this life. God is with you and can give you confidence in the middle of your trials. Trusting Through the Trials One of the biggest obstacles to faith is the suffering of the innocent. How Can Christians Keep Faith in God in Setbacks? We should trust God to keep his promises in his own time and way. She now “looked with contempt” at Sarai (or “considered her lightly”), and Sarai in turn perceived this as a threat against her place in the household and became defensive. Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands instead of trusting in God and his timing? In response, she came up with the plan that set the chapter’s events in motion, and she treated Hagar unjustly when threatened. I was too selfish and despicable! Now, I am willing to repent. And trusting God is on a whole ‘nother level. Worship with us Sunday mornings at 9am and 11am. Sermon on Sickness: 4 Key Points of Christians Experiencing Sickness. After waiting so long, and after God confirmed that Abram would be the biological father, Sarai’s patience had run its course, and she probably reasoned that the promised offspring was never supposed to come from her. A small (but significant!) Have you ever felt like God was taking too long to answer a prayer? He entrusted Job, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, Isaiah, Paul and many others with major trials. Faith Failure is Pain: Trusting God Through Trials. In Genesis 16, we find Abram and Sarai doubting whether Sarai will be the woman to bear Abram a child. God hasn't forgotten you as you are going through these trials! First, she’s to return to Abram’s household and submit to Sarai. “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. Trusting God through the Trials of Life. Abram too had been longing for a child for years, and he passively stood by and went with Sarai’s plan. Share. What's the purpose of trials, why does an all-powerful God allow us to go through trials? Trust in … Through reflection, I saw that when I encountered something that was not in accordance with my own ideas, I could make demands of God, complain to and blame Him, and that I had no true faith in Him and was not truly obedient to Him. To not lean on my own understanding. The Bible is full of stories of people going through trials and tribulations. When we find ourselves unable to see the good and the purpose in trials we are to: 1. But once she was pregnant, Hagar’s attitude changed. In faith. Once they arrived in the land, they might have expected children to quickly follow, but that’s not what happened. When you are not clear on God’s work, what is required is your faith and that you take a firm stance and stand witness. But in any case, you must have faith in God’s work, and not deny God, like Job. February 20, 2018 From David to the Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Walls, From the Brith of Jesus to His Resurrection. Although Job was weak and cursed the day of his own birth, he did not deny that all things in human life were bestowed by … It is something that I am continually studying out and reflecting on in my time with God. Usually in times like these I try and take control. This article will help you build true faith in God from 3 aspects. Why Does God Test Us? I knew I was disobedient to God, so I quickly came in front of Him and prayed, “O God! Lurking within us is the persistent tendency to trust in other things besides God. You can opt out if you wish. It means that by trusting we have peace, even if the worst case scenario happens. One thing for sure, human philosophers do not have an answer! We can learn through this plan how to do the same through our personal trials. James recognizes that we may not always be able to see the purpose in trials or see the good that can come from trials.2. Even as a Christian, Jesus tells us this in John 16:33: “…in this world, you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33). In another echo of Genesis 3, Sarai blamed her actions on Abram who refused to take any responsibility. When God’s Trials Befall, How Should We Treat Them? As a Christian, do you have true faith in God? We need to come before Him, pray and seek more, obey His sovereignty and arrangements, and should not have our own decisions and demands. Click here for a printable version of this study guide. That’s bad.” All through the story, events that appear positive turn out to be negative and vice versa. As I realized this, I knew more truly my own corrupt disposition. To believe them even when circumstances would say otherwise. Our Daily Devotionals. Job Defeats Satan and Becomes a True Man in the Eyes of God, Christian Music Video "God's Love and Essence Are Selfless" | New English Gospel Song, I Discover How to Stop Feeling So Empty and Live a Meaningful Life, True Story of How I Quit the Pursuit of Being a Millionaire, After Bidding Farewell to My Life of Following Celebrities, I Live a Meaningful Life. Do not be rash or impulsive, and do not treat God and the people, matters, and objects He has arranged for you depending on your hot blood or your naturalness, or according to your imaginations and conceptions; you must be cautious in your actions, and must pray and seek more….” God’s words tell us that, everything disagreeable to us is set up meticulously by God. Trusting God in hard times, trusting God in difficult times, means believing He has a plan for it all and knows INFINITELY more than we do. Ultimately, trusting God is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. People must reach a point where they have endured hundreds of refinements and possess faith greater than Job’s. Copyright © 2019 This led me to see that God really is alive and vivid and that God is truly wise. First Peter 4:12–13 says, “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. If there’s one thing that always trips up my faith in the Lord, it’s adversity. detail mentioned back in Genesis 11:30 returns here: Sarai is barren. You must lean on Him and trust Him to get you through. Hagar too both sinned (v. 4) and was sinned against (v. 6). The Bible says, “For You, O God, have proved us: You have tried us, as silver is tried” (Psalm 66:10). Hello! What does it look like to trust God in our suffering? How does it comfort you to know that God sees and hears your anguish. After his son grew up, God asked him to offer up his only son Isaac to Him as a sacrifice. Through this illness, I saw that I am too filthy and corrupt, and my nature is selfish and despicable. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Does Being Saved Mean We Are Able to Enter the Heavenly Kingdom? Things that in and of themselves would be a sufficient trial but added together leads to an overwhelming feeling of heartache. Keep on asking Him for wisdom. Tweet . Want to share God\'s words with brothers and sisters and gain encouragement every day? INTRODUCTION. Mature Christianity allows us to be happy in spite of our circumstances. Often times we may flee from God’s trials, and even misunderstand and guard against God because of not understanding the will of God as He tries people. When do you experience similar struggles? Trusting God in the Midst of Adversity Page 4 Lesson Two TRUSTING GOD: When Family and Friends do not Help Me! I know that as a child of God, practicing my faith for decades now, I should have got the hang of trusting God through the myriad struggles of life. They did what they knew God wanted them to … (Read verses 5 and 6)1. No matter how he was tested, he maintained this belief. “Trusting in God in the midst of trial does not mean everything will work out. And wow, Job used the word 'trouble' frequently! So, how shall we trust God through trials? Kind David had an admirable humility before God. Our faith is tested the most when we pass through difficulty and despair. They can temper people’s will, refine their confidence, cleanse the impurity in their belief in God, further their spiritual growth and make them soon become someone after God’s heart. Tonight I watched the sunset. To be quite honest, I have been going through some tough times in my relationship with God. It can be confusing and heartbreaking when God doesn’t work according to our timetables. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. We all encounter a steady stream of challenges and burdens, and sometimes these problems feel overwhelming. My friend, after you understand these things, will you still refuse God’s trials? “That’s bad,” I would read. Most of the people we remember faced great trials. What kinds of thoughts and feelings do you think she wrestled with day after day? Several days later, my condition took a favorable turn and I gradually recovered my health, contrary to what the doctor had said. Each had a faith in God and an obedience to God’s Word. You might be interested in reading more articles on our Spiritual Life page, or in the following articles. Trusting God Through the Trials. While Job is well-known for his trust in God, for a few chapters, he boldly asks the big question to God that we all ask when we just don't understand. I am trusting Go… God says, “If, like Job, man is able to submit to God’s orchestrations and arrangements, and can give his entire being to the hands of God, then will man’s end not be the same as Job’s—the receipt of God’s blessings? In Genesis 15, Abram believed that God would fulfill the promise of offspring (12:2) through his servant Eliezer (15:2-3), probably assuming he was too old to physically have a child. But the passage of time continued to put a strain on him and Sarai, and chapter 16 presents us with an example of what happens when we try to circumvent God’s timing. Read this sermon on sickness to grasp 4 ways of practice. In Genesis 15, Abram believed that God would fulfill the promise of offspring (12:2) through his servant Eliezer (15:2-3), probably assuming he was too old to physically have a child. “No, that’s … She’s cared for by God himself. Even though he became weak at the time, yet he knew that his son was bestowed by God, he did not complain and sincerely offered to return his son to God. The experiences of Job and Abraham allow us to realize that no matter what trials we face, we should not use reasoning with God or lay conditions on Him, but should obey and accept them unconditionally. When I had spent a bit for God, I wanted to exchange God’s rewards and blessings. This is the sense that we as created beings must possess. Hello friends! Trusting God through trials means trusting Him and His plan! We are not promised a life that is easy. God’s words say, “While undergoing trials, it’s normal for people to be weak, or have negativity within them, or to lack clarity on God’s will or their path for practice. Trusting God Through Our Trials. What do you imagine her internal monologue looking like? How did you respond? But in a beautiful scene, God meets her on the road, calls her by name, and then tells her two things. Category: Sermon Guides. Persist, keep asking in faith believing that in due time God will answer your prayer. by Scott Dickson. My son’s text that morning started like this:I have an awesome opportunity to trust God!I got laid off effective today.It took me a few seconds to process that text.It reminded me of a children’s book he always loved, “That’s good. Our relationship with God is growing more and more distant as a result of the fast-paced life. Trusting God Through Trials (Genesis 16:1-16) February 20, 2018 by Scott Dickson. In response, Hagar does something no other character in the in the Bible does: she gives a name to God, calling him “a God of seeing”, because she has “seen him who looks after me.” (v. 13) The name reflects God’s significance to her: she’s seen by him. It's not about facing bad times but how we respond when we face… All Try to put yourself in Sarai’s position: living for years with an unmet desire and probably feeling cursed by God (note her language in verse 2). The Importance Of Trusting God Through Trials Outside Of Your Comfort Zone. Trusting God Through Trials . But God explicitly said to Abram that he would produce a son that would be his heir (Genesis 15). But we are promised that God will be with us. In response to being sinned against, Hagar left Sarai and Abram and attempted to head back to Egypt (v. 6). This practice of surrogate motherhood was a common practice at that time. Many years earlier, God had promised to give him the land of Canaan and numerous offspring. Principle #1: We must take responsibility for what we choose to savor. In this 7-day plan, you will explore through different Psalms where David trusted and depended on God. 6 Days. Please read and agree to our privacy policy below to start chatting with us. When they are obedient until the death, and have great faith in God, then this stage of God’s work is complete.” After reading this, I came to know that, this illness that had come upon me was God’s trial, and God used it to make me reflect on what impurities there were in my faith in God. The Bible is rich with complex truths that we could spend a lifetime unpacking, but here are four truths that can help you trust God through your trials: 1. trusting god through the trials brings you closer to god It’s as if you have to be in this certain place, this place of despair, in order to fully reveal the whole of who God is.Let’s be honest here. According to the custom that Sarai employs here, the surrogate mother wouldn’t supplant the wife’s position in the household. Genesis 16:13 – “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”. But right away, we’re given hints that this was a bad idea. A Rough Experience of Welcoming the Lord’s Return. Featured Story Facing Trials and Obstacles; By: Denise San Miquel. ... Not long after I signed up to get emails , I felt God’s comfort and peace come over me as I was going through “Trusting God”. This way we will stand firm and bear witness for Him in trials, and become people who are compatible with His intentions. Every brother and sister will encounter trials, like illness, persecution and suffering, natural and manmade disasters. 11:32PM EST 11/6/2008 ... One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble is the account of the three courageous young men … When Job reached this point, God appeared to him and spoke to him.” From God’s words, we see that when God’s trials come upon us, we will become weak and negative and this is normal, but we should have true faith in God. Welcome to Our Daily Devotionals. The torment of my condition was worse than death and I couldn’t help but blame God, “I believe in God, so why does God not protect me?” In the midst of my pain, I came before God in prayer and seeking, and then saw the following words of God: “What God is perfecting is mankind’s faith—one cannot see or touch it. He had many challenges in his life and knew to trust in God through every trial. And they’ve been in Canaan for ten years at this point (v. 3). It’s important to note that every character in this chapter is a mixture of sinner and sufferer. 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