Seasons of Turmoil

How to Face Trials

If you have lived very long on this earth, then you recognize the fact that life has seasons just like the change in weather patterns we experience throughout each year. And just as we do not have the ability to alter the continual cycle of the weather seasons, we often have little control over the events causing us to enter a new season whether it’s a sunshiny, happy time or dark, dismal one.

A friend or family member diagnosed with cancer – Will they make it through this?
The death of a loved one – How will I face tomorrow without them in my life?
The loss of a job – How will we make it without the income?
There are times we love someone so much, when they are going through a trial, we go through it with them. What is it you are facing?

It is easy to lose perspective while in these discouraging times. Our feelings may be completely valid and reasonable, but decisions, reactions, and responses need to be based on biblical principles. Emotions should not lead us. (Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 3:5, Jeremiah 17:9)

We must remember we have a Savior who understands. He experienced these emotions throughout His life on earth – rejection, heartache, exhaustion, anxiety, and frustration to name a few from the “dark” seasons of His life.

How do we find peace amidst all this turmoil? Often the absence of peace is because of the presence of fear. We are experiencing something where we know not the future.

Everybody is a control freak. You know why? Because we all like our comfort zones. We want to have control over our futures, our health, and every other area or circumstance in life. When we lose that control, our lives are disrupted. As Christians we know the Holy Spirit is the Comforter providing peace as a fruit of the Spirit if we seek Him (John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7, John 16:33).

God is in control.

During these trials we must remember, God is in control. He was NOT taken by surprise. To be surprised you have to be uncertain and ignorant. Jesus submitted His trial to God knowing He would work it out for His glory (Matthew 26:42).

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”

Isaiah 46:9-10

Someone is watching.

There will be others watching how we handle our trial. Most of us have heard the quote, “The greatest sermon you will ever preach is how you live your life.” Show those watching how we, as believers, should remain faithful no matter what we face.

Do an inspection.

We need to remember to inspect our heart and lives as we are going through trials. Through trials we need to examine our hearts and make sure we have no sin in our lives. We need to be able to pray while going through trials. Don’t let a trial not teach you something. Anything redirecting our lives to God is a benefit for us.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures…but shouts in our pain.”

C. S. Lewis

Remember to pray.

Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it? Pray with faith. As a child of God you can rest is the peace that comes with knowing He is in control. It may not seem like He is. You may feel He is directing the acts of the play not the way you think would be best.

I once heard a preacher say, “If ever there was a time to pray, it is when you don’t feel like praying.” Some other good quotes on prayer are:
“All of our failures are prayer failures.” – John R. Rice
“You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” – John Bunyan
“The story of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer.” – E. M. Bounds

Accept God’s plan.

Often the reason we don’t have peace is because we don’t trust the Lord to do what is His best in whatever circumstance we are in. How can we shift our attitude from distrust to fully trusting Him? You have to know Him. Surround yourself with His promises and the blessings you know He has already given you.

God has a plan. It may not be our plan. It may not happen in our timing. However, He can make it ALL work out for good (Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 2:9). We must accept His plan.

“A providence is shaping our ends; a plan is developing in our lives; a supremely wise and loving Being is making all things work together for good. In the sequel of our life’s story, we shall see that there was a meaning and necessity in all the previous incidents, except those that were the result of our own folly and sin, and that even these have been made to contribute to the final result. Trust Him, child of God: He is leading you by a right way to the celestial city of habitation; and as from the terrace of eternity you review the path by which you came from the morning-land of childhood, you will confess that He has done all things well.”

– F. B. Meyer

This is a post I started a while back when a trial in my life had started. It’s still going and while I don’t see an immediate end in sight, I do hold on to the truths above. I know it may take a year or five years or even ten years to see God had a greater plan. But this I know: God is good. All. The. Time. 💕