Trusting God Through Trials and Tribulations

 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2nd Kings 6:16

If you are reading this post, chances are you have lived long enough to know that tragedy, trials, and tribulations come to everyone, Christian and non-Christian, the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45).

If we look at the word of God and read about the most notable characters in the Bible, we can see that most, they pretty much all went through some sort of trial and tribulation. Job, I am sure, is the person most people think of. He went through hell on earth.

God forbid, we go through ANY of what Job went through, but what I do want to ask is: how did they trust God through their trials and tribulations? How did they triumph through the trial?

This past year, 2020, millions of people all over the world witnessed what would be one of the most catastrophic experiences of our lifetime. I am sure it is safe to say that we’ve never lived through such an experience before.

Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of Americans and millions worldwide died from COVID-19 (& related issues). With all that is happening in this world, how can we trust God through the process?

Trusting Can Be Hard

Trusting God can be hard. Trusting God is having a firm belief in Him and His plan; trusting that He knows what He is doing and that His ways are better than ours.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that all the storms happening in the world and your life are from God. In fact, if we are honest, sometimes we may bring storms in our life from ignorance and disobedience (and many come from the Devil himself).

There are times when we do not understand God or His plans, but what always is encouraging to know is that God, the Creator of the universe, created every day of your life before you were born, conceived, or even thought of. He knows the end from the beginning, how amazing is that?

When you trust God, you believe that He has a plan for it all and knows INFINITELY more than we do.

The Spiritual Realm

Trusting God would certainly be easier if we could see Him and His angel armies face to face, but even though we can’t see them in the physical realm, we can trust they’re in the spiritual realm (a realm more powerful than anything we could ever imagine), fighting for us. Even when we don’t see God working, we can be sure that He always is (Romans 8:28).

God shows us a powerful glimpse into the spiritual realm in 2 Kings 6:8-18. Ancient Aram (modern-day Syria) was fighting the Israelites, and God used His prophet, Elisha, to predict how the Arameans would attack, to warn the Israelite army. The Bible explains that this enraged the king of Aram, so he began plotting to attack the city and cut off Elisha from helping Israel. But the God of the 11th hour stepped in and protected Elisha and his servant; God allowed them to see the horses and chariots in the spiritual realm that were sent to fight for them. Glory be to God! 

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17, NIV).

If we could just realize that more forces are fighting FOR us than those that are fighting against us, I believe our faith would increase exponentially. I believe that we would see things differently when we are in the middle of trials and tribulations.

When you are “pressed on every side,” remember that God said He will never leave you, nor forsake you! 

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV.

Here are 3 practical tips to help you learn to trust God (more) through trials and tribulations:

1. Prayer: When you are passing through tribulations, prayer is one of our first lines of defense. Prayer is communicating with God. Prayer can also be a way of commanding your atmosphere and speaking God’s word over your situation. Sometimes, we may not know what to say, but that’s okay. Many times, the silent prayers in your heart are the loudest to God. Maybe you feel like crying or maybe you feel like speaking in tongues, however, you are led to pray, just do it! God hears our prayers.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b 

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

1. Reading His Word: What does the word of God say about it? God is His word (John 1:1). When we speak God’s word, we are reminding God of what He promised us. God is not a man that He should lie, nor is He slack concerning His promises. 

God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 NIV

1. Remember Your Past: God is faithful. Many times, remembering past trials and tribulations that God delivered you from can help build your faith and trust in Him.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11 NIV

1. Environment: Assembling yourself around other believers that can uplift you is vital. They can encourage and speak life over you when you are at your lowest point. There is a reason why God says in His word that we should not forsake the assembly of believers.

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV.

With love, Grace