Overcoming Trials

Going through difficulty with absolute trust in God has inspired generations of people.
We often think of trusting God for things we need or want,
such as financial provision, physical healing, restoration of a
relationship, a promotion at work, a place to live, an opportunity or a
big win in some kind of competition.

A true relationship of trust in God extends beyond trusting Him for something. We need to learn to trust Him through the process of attaining those things we desire.

There was a time in my life when I focused intensely on trusting
God for things, saying, “I want this, God,” and “I need such-and-such,
God.” He began to show me that getting all those things was not the
most important issue in my life.

He wanted to teach me how to trust Him enough to walk through
situations with stability and with a good attitude on a consistent
basis. He needed me to learn that He may not always rescue us when we
want out of circumstances, but He is always with us as we walk through them.

God does not always deliver us from everything when we think He should. Throughout His Word, we read about people who had to go through things.

One familiar passage to many people is Psalm 23:4, “Yes, though
I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me” (The Amplified Bible).
Psalm 66:12 says, “You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were
prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us
out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the
open air].”

And the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you” (Is. 43:2, emphasis added).

One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble
is the account of the three courageous young men named Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego.

The Old Testament king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them
into a blazing furnace where they were sure to be burned alive if they
did not worship his idols. They responded to him:

“If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But
if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your
gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan.
3:17-18). The angry king threw the three men into the furnace—after
ordering that the furnace be turned up to seven times its usual heat.
The flames were so hot they incinerated the king’s men as they threw
the three young men into it.

When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he said in
astonishment, “Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of
the fire, and they are not hurt!” (Dan. 3:25). The king called the
three men out of the furnace, and when they emerged, not one hair on
their heads had been singed, their clothes were not scorched, and they
didn’t even smell of smoke.

This testimony of going through difficulty with
absolute trust in God has inspired generations of people. Today we can
draw much encouragement from the fact that Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego faced a terrifying situation, one we can assume they wanted to
be delivered from. Many think it was the pre-incarnate Jesus who was
the fourth man in the fiery furnace with them.

As we follow their example, we can go through trials with
stable, positive attitudes, trusting God completely, even against
seemingly impossible odds.

Your attitude, whether good or bad, is yours to command in
every situation. But I encourage you to maintain an attitude of faith,
praise, thanksgiving and positive expectation, and you will definitely
come through your situation victoriously.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times
best-selling author and one of the world’s leading practical Bible
teachers. She has written more than 70 books, including the popular Beauty for Ashes and Battlefield of the Mind, and her most recent, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life (all FaithWords). She is also the founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc. and the host of Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. To read past columns in Charisma by Joyce Meyer, click here.