Situation

<<state of affairs>>

Numerous events test our faith and allegiance each day – will we operate in the flesh or Spirit? When God allows trials to test us these are opportunities
to outwork the death of our self-nature, and they are not beyond our ability to overcome, with His help (1 Cor 10:13).

Although many things in life do not go the way we would like, by not meeting our perceived needs, we can look back and see their contribution in developing our character. In spite of the difficulties, provided we have responded appropriately, we will be better people because of these experiences. If you are yielded to Christ, view the trials that you

Thank God for the tools He is using to shape you

face as the best tool to shape you for eternity. Don’t fight against the trials of life but learn from them and, above all, depend on Jesus who invites us to cast all our cares on Him (Mt 11:28; 1 Pet 5:7).

We are to bear our burdens with a right attitude, and try to see things from a Godly perspective. Paul challenges us to welcome and embrace hassles, as another opportunity to demonstrate the nature of God (Rom 5:3-5). How can I ensure the annoying pressures and circumstances that are bombarding me work to my advantage? The Bible has a lot of good advice such as, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:16-18). Trust the God of love to do right and work it out for our best, not resigning to a victim’s complex – ‘Lord there is nothing that you and I together can’t handle!’ (Gen 18:25; Rom 8:28; Phil 4:13; 1 Jn 4:8,16). Even though the circumstances may not necessarily change, your attitude to them will. We ask God to change our situation not knowing He puts us in the situation to change us.

While we should pray and support others (besides asking for prayer for ourselves) in the final analysis it comes down to the individual’s choice as to how they respond to what life throws at them, whether they come out bitter or better. Our flesh wants relief by running from the hassles, Satan’s desire is our ruin and defeat, but God wants refinement and victory. How do I view the ‘instruments’ He arranges to bring about His purposes in me?

The disciples were doing what Jesus had instructed them yet they found themselves in the middle of a storm. Rather than continue to struggle on their own they invited Jesus into the situation and His power transformed

Ask Jesus into you challenging difficulty

things (Mk 6:45-52; Jn 6:16-21). Job and Paul are two examples of people who walked close to God and yet experienced great hardship, showing no one is exempt from trials (Job 1:13-2:7; 2 Cor 11:23-29).