I'd like to start this article by making a profound statement that could change your perspective:
everyone must live it.
Now as obvious as that may sound, it seems that we can often forget this, thinking that we're the only ones who deal with problems or who ever experience challenges or go through trials.
Another ditch is thinking that nothing in life should ever be challenging. Sometimes we think that when the trials of life occur, something must be wrong. We immediately go to our checklist to find where we "opened the door" to the enemy or if we're out of the will of God.
Truth be known, regardless of who you are or where you're at in life, everyone lives on the same planet and deals with the same devil.
We're All in the Same Boat
I think that Psalms 34:19 deals wonderfully with both of these thoughts. It reads, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Some people never like to talk about their problems even to the point of never even acknowledging that there is a problem.
Then there are others who do nothing but talk about their problems, why they're happening, and how could this have happened. First of all, we have to remember that the crises of life come to everyone.
All Experience Hardships
Notice here in Psalms that it is the righteous who are experiencing the many afflictions.
Troubles aren't a sign of an open door or sin in your life; they're a sign that there's still a devil out there who hates you and wants to destroy you.
Here's a quick tip for you (free of charge): circumstances are never a sign of you being in or out of the will of God. If that were the case then the Apostle Paul must have never been in the will of God because his circumstances were always strenuous.
Second of all, when the crises do occur we have to remember that "the Lord delivers him out of them all." When the problems occur—and they will—don't focus on the problem. Realize that it is never God's will and God is never behind the problem.
Asking questions like "why is this happening?" will only lead you to discouragement. So instead of focusing on how you got into the problem start focusing on how to get out of the problem.
Use your faith in God to deliver you.
How do you get into faith? Start with what you know. Go back to what Jesus did for you at Calvary. The key to getting and staying in faith is talking more about Jesus' experience than your own experience.
It's All In How You Look At It
Another key to deliverance from your problem is seeing yourself through the eyes of God. If you're dealing with sickness then think of yourself not as a sick person seeking a healing, but as a healthy person resisting the devil and his sickness.
If it's financial, then see yourself as a wealthy person resisting poverty; "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
Regardless of your trial, see yourself according to what God has provided through Jesus because that is who you truly are!
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dr. David Horton is an international evangelist who has spent the majority of his ministry, both at home and abroad, trying to reach those who have had little or no chance to hear the Gospel. His inner-city tent meetings, which have been featured on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, are marked with great signs, wonders, and miracles.
