The unfortunate truth is that you’re not strong enough. There will be situations that you can deal with because you’ve been through worse so it’s no big deal. Then there are circumstances that will crack the earth beneath your feet. You’ll feel like you’re falling. These are the situations that challenge you. These are the trials that will grow your faith. This is when God is asking you, “Do you trust me?” He’s asking, “Do you believe my Word?”
It’s your job to do what’s expected of you in these situations. You have to trust that God loves you and whether you understand it or not, He’s got a plan and all things will work for good. You have to surrender the situation to God and stop worrying about it.
You want me to do what?
I know right… It sounds insane. But Clint, you don’t know what I’m going through. I can’t help but worry. I know, it’ll be the hardest thing to do at that moment. I’ve been there.
I’ve had some difficult situations recently and if it wasn’t for this, I probably wouldn’t have survived it. I can’t articulate what it felt like when I was falsely accused and had to defend and prove my innocence. I can’t describe the heaviness I felt when my accusers then tried to trap me so I would get arrested. When the person you trusted most in this world is trying to destroy you, that alone can crush your spirit.
So since I can’t describe how it felt, let me describe what to do at that moment. Allow me to walk you through your darkest hour. It’s in this moment that you fall to your knees and surrender. This won’t be difficult, your knees will feel weak anyway. You have to surrender the situation over to God.
The fact that you’re in this trial is a good thing. You have to be tested before God can use you. Thus you cannot ask for the trial to be taken from you. Thank God for this trial, this testing of your faith. But you ask for His help, you need help with the hurt that you’re feeling. You ask him to take the pain and protect you. He sees the full picture so you have to ask him to handle it. The fact that you’re on your knees is because the situation you’re in is beyond your control. So you have no option but to surrender.
Standing on a promise
We’re taught to stand on scripture in times of need. Look for scripture to stand on, make sure that it’s taken in context. I’ve recited Psalm 23:4-6 many times in my life but at that moment when you are that scripture, when you’re in that situation, the weight on your spirit is unbearable.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
You have to ask God to intervene. Remember that God gave us dominion over the earth in Genesis. God respects free will and will step in when you surrender the situation to Him. Once I learned this, I started surrendering everything in my life to God. What do I know… I’d rather have Jesus take the wheel than me.
Surrendering is one thing but what you do next is going to be difficult. Once you’re done, say amen and get up. There’s no need to repeat yourself over and over like a parrot. Heaven heard you. God heard you. The only reason you’re repeating yourself is that you didn’t hear you. You don’t believe. Get up and leave your worry behind. This is an act of faith because faith without works is dead. Show God that you trust Him and leave it in His hands.
Calling in an airstrike
The best way to explain what you’ve done is in military terms. Keep in mind that you’ve just done the best thing that you can do. You’re a soldier on the ground taking enemy fire. You’re trapped and you can’t see the full picture from your vantage point. You’ve just called HQ and requested an air strike on your situation. From up above, they see the full picture and know what to do to keep you safe.
What I told you is very difficult but I promise you that God is with you and He will keep you safe. I have seen His hand on me and how things happened in such a manner that I had undeniable evidence of my innocence. Trust Him, He’s got you.
My goal is to emulate Jesus and follow his example but if all else fails, I’ll be like David. A writer, a man after God’s own heart and someone not to be trifled with.
I believe in discussing life in a candid (unfiltered), no holds barred manner that stimulates personal growth.
I spend my spare time creating content that is informative, entertaining and that will help others in their personal development.
The Hustle is a project that focuses on career and purpose.
I also have a cooking vlog called Passing it on which is on Facebook and YouTube.
In matters of faith, I contribute to this ministry.
Great post, because He prepares us through the desert, through the storm, through the heat of testing and then, through the trials. Sometimes… they are the other way around! Our character through these trials is what non-believers see in us. I have been exactly where you have been. Utterly broken. Bitter. Angry. Then finally, in need of acknowledging that I was not capable, that heavenly intervention was desperately needed (and these still continue and sometimes I have to fall to my knees and ask Him to let up to stop the evil one because I can’t handle it, and He is always faithful). Despite the destruction and the friends who have not just fallen from me, but yammer against me, I have the Lord. And that is the peace that passes all understanding, maybe not hearing His voice right then, there, but knowing He is with me and will with the Holy Spirit, will through my weakness, strengthen me through prayer, praise and reading His Word, He will carry me through the fire, the flood, the destruction of my once-upon-a-time easy life.
Absolutely, we have to be tested before we can be used. God’s checking our character and so is everyone else.
Wow, this is such a great read. And you are speaking from experience which makes it more powerful. I laughed when you said we shouldn’t repeat ourselves like parrots. And I like the idea of calling on an hq to come help us. God is surely always with us.
Hi. Thank you. So sorry for the late response. I didn’t get a notification of your comment.