A Child Of God does not have to lie down and let life run over them. We all experience tests and trials at one time or another. But we serve a great God Who has made provision for us to overcome them. We simply need it know how to cooperate with Him so He can deliver us from whatever might affect us negatively.
That is where many fail to receive the blessings of God. They don’t know how to cooperate with Him and allow Him to move by His power on their behalf. They become weary in their faith and often give up short of receiving victory.
Weariness in faith sets the stage for defeat.
God wants us to stay positive in the tests and trials of life. He doesn’t want us to become worn out by circumstances. Yes, circumstances are real, and they can be big.
But Your God is bigger!
Don’t Forget That God Is There!
The Bible tells of an Old Testament patriarch who became weary in his faith.
GENESIS 42:36, 3
36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”
38 . . . “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”
Jacob said, “Everything is against me.” I’m sure each of us has experienced problems that came in twos, threes, and fours! But let’s look more closely at Jacob’s situation.
Jacob was advanced in age and was experiencing multiplied family problems. He’d lost his wife and favorite son, and another son was imprisoned in Egypt. And, there was a famine in the land. Jacob was tired, lonely, hungry, and defeated.
Overwhelmed by his circumstances, he took a “beat-up” attitude. He said, “Everything is against me.”
This is the same man who had wrestled with the Angel of the Lord all night and then said, “I’m not going to let You go until You bless me” (Gen. 32:26).
Jacob was a great patriarch, yet he had become distressed and defeated in his mind.
Our attitude today would be like Jacob’s if we gave in to negativity and defeat, saying, “What am I going to do?”
Many of us have had a “beat-up” attitude. No one physically laid a hand on us, yet we felt as if we’d been “run through the wringer.” We’ve felt worn out and defeated!
In the midst of his trouble, Jacob forgot one thing, at least temporarily. He forgot about his God, El Shaddai, the One Who is more than enough! He forgot about Jehovah Jireh, the God Who provides!
We need to remind ourselves that God is greater than any circumstance.
He will deliver us and show us the way out of trials and adversity if we will look to Him and His Overcoming Victorious Power!
You’ve heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That’s not just a cliché—that’s what God wants to do in our lives.
He wants to turn bitter things into something sweet. But if we allow a “beat-up” attitude to control our thinking, God won’t be able to move on our behalf. If we wring our hands and cry, “Oh Lord, why me?” we hinder the power of God to turn our situation around for good.
A “beat-up” attitude is exactly what the enemy wants us to have. The enemy of your soul wants you to consider your circumstances and allow them to make you feel defeated. Once you become “beat-up,” he can dominate you- Not let that happen to you!
God Cares
It’s understandable why Jacob had a “beatup” attitude. He said, “Everything is against me!” And looking at his circumstances from the natural, that was a reasonable exclamation! But with God, those words become unreasonable, because when we have a “beatup” attitude, we underestimate not only God’s abilities but His love for us.
God cares deeply for His children and doesn’t want us to succumb to the devil’s tactics. He wants to turn our negative circumstances around.
The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God does not want us to go through life “beat-up.” He wants us to cast our cares, worries, and concerns on Him, then straighten our shoulders, hold our head high, and rely on El Shaddai, the God Who is more than enough! We can depend on Jehovah Jireh, the God Who will provide for us!
Jacob would soon find out his son (Joseph) he thought was dead was Second in Command In all of Egypt- and was coming to save not only him but all of Israel- God was there the whole time- You must not become weary-
Three Ways to Overcome Adversity
No matter what adverse circumstances arise, we can experience the victory God intends for us to have.
Here are three steps to follow when adversity strikes.
Praise God-
When life’s trials come, don’t dread. Praise instead.
Consider What You Have-
People often focus on life’s imperfections. Instead of dwelling on what you don’t have, concentrate on what you do have.
Don’t Be a Pessimist-
You can’t keep looking at God and expect the worst! When you focus on God, His Word, His power, and His goodness, your outlook will change.
Love in His Grace, Pastor Joe
www.NewCreation.TV