Gtoctr/ss040316
God
designed life so that every problem we face comes power packed with the
potential to strengthen us and make us more like Him. God does not bring us
problems such as: temptations; tests; trials or tribulations, they come from any
number of other places. Nonetheless God is committed not only to comfort His
children but also to increase their strength and substance so that the more
they are mistreated by this world, the more potential they have to multiply and
grow. It is a law of God.
So
many times when we encounter problems we never stop to imagine the potential
resident in that problem. The potential begins to be realized when we invite
God into our problem. He helps us to find victory in the midst of the problem,
even before we gain victory over the problem. And, many times we must embrace
victory in the situation before we can fully experience victory over the
situation.
Problems come power packed with potential. Today we are going
to discover how to unleash the power of our problems and turn our trials into
testimonies.
Even
when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death God prepares a table
for you in the presence of your enemies and He also commands goodness and mercy
to follow you everywhere you go. We don’t always recognize His promise of
provision and the potential in the valley because we get so focused on the
problems in the valley.
James,
one of the younger half brothers of Jesus, (James being the son of both Joseph
and Mary), became the Senior Pastor of the first Church. James was given the
responsibility of leading the Apostles, Elders, Deacons and congregation
members through those difficult early years of great persecution in Jerusalem.
Problems abounded and trouble seemed on every side. Neither the Jews nor the
Roman government had much tolerance for these new followers of Jesus.
Persecutions and executions were commonly dealt to the Believer along with all
manner of temptation which the devil brought during those days.
In
efforts to help the Believer focus on the potential and not focus on the
problem, Pastor James writes:
James 1
2 My brethren, count it all
joy when you fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the
trying of your faith works patience.
4 But let patience have her
perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Pastor
James reveals two key elements to unlocking the potential which is resident in
temptations, afflictions, trials, persecutions and tribulations. He gave us two
factors which turn trials into testimonies are:
1. Trust (faith)
2. Time (patience)
If
you are in the middle of a temptation, you can turn that trial into a testimony
by discovering and releasing the potential in that problem. You don’t have to
be a victim, you can be victorious – even over death, hell and the grave – how
much more over the temporal afflictions of this life.
At
times it’s hard to imagine a testimony when you are facing a trial.
However,
God inspired James to teach us how to walk through difficult places without
being defeated by those difficulties.
Every testimony was at one time a trial.
(Room
for a personal testimony of faith and patience – trust and time – turning your
trial into a testimony – Barrenness; Loveless; Loss)
It
is our trust in God which holds us steady on course during the time we are
going through some things we do not want, in order to get to some things we do
want. Our trust in God enables us to maintain focus on
the promise and not the problem. Trust in God gives time to discover the
potential and release the power. When we trust God He turns our trials into
testimonies.
This
was true for Noah, it was true for Job, it was true for Moses and Esther, Rahab
and David, it was true for Paul and true for Jesus, and it is true for me and
true for you as well.
Trust
and time turns our trials into testimonies.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of patience, that after you have
done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
Hebrews 6:12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who
through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the
goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
There
is potential in the problem you face; a testimony hidden in your trial; potential
yet undiscovered in the pressures of life; there is victory in your valley.
Trust God, invite Him into your problem and be patient. Give Him the time He requires to complete His work in you and on you so He
can work for you and through you.
Do
you need faith or patience? They are both fruits of the Holy Spirit. These
fruits grow quickly and abundantly in the hearts and minds of those who spend
time in the Word, Worship and Fellowship of God.
Don’t
let the devil convince you that you are a victim or that you’re all alone in
your trouble. Reach out to God and to others and keep yourself involved in
life, work, family and the Church. God wants to insulate
you, it’s the devil who wants to isolate you. Invite God into your
problem.
Perhaps
God is speaking to some of you right now. You need to turn your problem over to
God and trust Him with the outcome. Believe me, no matter how bad it may be
right now, you can make it worse. The only thing you need to add to your
problems is God … He can make something good out of anything you give Him …
even you.
The
journey to turning your trials into testimonies begins with the first step.
That step may just lead you right down here to the altar. Let’s pray!
