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Part 2 -
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
I once was a partner of another ministry, and the Lord called me out of the partnership. Unfortunately, the partner was upset with me. She thought we were to serve together forever. In my heart, I would have liked to have served together in our calling. God's plans are higher than ours. She felt betrayed by me. She didn't understand or believe the Lord was calling me in another direction.
In this life, you will have trials and tribulations. The pain is deep by losing reputation, betrayal by another, misunderstandings, or the other person believing you are betraying them. Even if they think you made a promise but the other person did not hear the other part, I said many years ago that when I got too busy for God, I was going to lay it down, and man, God made me live up to that.
I knew I had to obey Him. Many times He takes partnerships and pulls them apart. Sometimes it is a test to serve Him and man. I was trying to figure out why or what, but he was taking us differently. Did Abraham understand when the Lord told him to leave and go to a strange land? I don't think so.
Anyway, in the relationship, with my best friend previously, I was the betrayer. I was leaving her. Unfortunately, it got ugly. No matter what I did, the friendship was under the test. I was under the test of following Jesus over my best friend. Was I willing to lose a long friendship? It was not easy.
Triumphs and Tribulations
Going through the trials and tribulations of pain, hurt, and loss, I had to see what Jesus went through when He hung on the cross to give us life spiritually and physically. He came to overcome, and I can overcome, according to John 16:33.
"I have said these things to you, that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Not only that, but the Lord is producing perseverance in me in accordance with Romans 5:3.
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,..." To overcome trials, we must see Him in a greater light that He truly is in control of our lives. To overcome the hurt, pain, and loss, is through praising Him by trusting Him.
When you are in a place of preparation and healing and restoration and waiting, you cannot be anxious, but the Lord will guard your heart and mind against the attacks of the enemy or temptations, according to Philippians 4:6-7.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
We serve such an awesome God of the Lord most high, and we can count those trials and tribulations as joy, according to James 1:2. It is not easy. How to overcome? Praying, fasting, staying in His Word, and standing on His promises of truth. It feels dark, like the dark night of the soul or a deep valley experience.
All we can do is "Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds,"
It is not easy to give up something you love, birthed, and give your heart to and then have to lay it all down. Also, give all the money, equipment, and everything else over and walk away. It feels like your heart is tearing to pieces. I gave it all up according to the Lord Most High. Some of the ministries have opinions of me that are not true. Unfortunately, when your trials involve the other, rumors and gossip, accusations from many, and abandonment and loneliness. So, protect your heart. They don't know what took place, but that is part of God has to be your all so that you are not concerned about what others think. My reputation is in the Lord and not man.
I would fix things in the past to only make it worse. It is better to leave it alone and trust God. God knows the truth, and that should count. We get in trouble when we try to fix our reputation with men. Could it be an idol - loved by all man?
Man always ruins others' reputations, and mine certainly was through several avenues of people - fiery darts. Praise the Lord! We do not fight flesh and blood.
I had to see these were fiery darts of testing according to 1 Peter 4:12.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you."
Fiery darts come from people closest to you - friends, family, ministries, etc. Again I had to remember Jesus on the cross saying Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. I look that God is testing my heart and my reactions. I can genuinely say I care for all these people regardless of what they think of me on Earth. Their opinions do not matter.
These trials and tribulations, it is God's way to make you more like Him. I came to the place of laying down my reputation and realized I only serve the Lord and not man. No way can you make people happy all the time. People are not consistent, but God is.
The enemy wants to stop you and keep you in the past, so don't allow the storm around you to keep you from moving forward. Don't allow any person to steal your inheritance. Ensure you keep your heart correct and forgive continuously for what is happening around you. Do not be surprised. I would have to say these trials have given me a more profound love for people in God's way of love - not mine.
Isaiah 43:19 is what the Lord gave me:
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. "
I love people, not what they can do for me or fulfill anything in me, but because my Lord Jesus Christ also loves them.
Even though I felt weak and broken, I knew I could do everything according to 2 Corinthians 12:9.
But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you; my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." What promises of the Lord when we feel weak, broken, and bleeding inside. We are made perfect in weakness because it is more of God and me out of the way. That is how we are supposed to look at the weakest point.
I would have to say my faith was being tested, and many times just wanted to give up. Part of me just wanted to disappear or be absorbed by the air and not exist. But, I knew that is what the Lord did not wish to do but for me to get back up, go forward even in my weakness, and count it all joy according to James 1:2-8.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ... "
My faith has been strengthened. I'm not the same person. It now takes a lot to take me down. I see God in all situations and that he is working it out regardless if I can see it or not, like Heb. 11:1 - I cannot go by what I see but what I cannot see and trust God's word and praise him for the excellent result even though it is not happening.
That means standing firm and not being frightened. You cannot be afraid of your enemies. When you have a ministry, you have enemies. Just like Joshua, I was going into new territory and could not be afraid, according to Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
I hope this helps someone in the ministry and being attacked with fiery darts to not give up. Because all these things are tests of faith, according to 1 Peter 1:7.
"So that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
In conclusion, it was the best thing I ever did. The Lord took me to many countries, ministering healing and deliverance in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Following the Lord is sweet - the Greater the trial, the greater the victory. I've had opportunities to see people get free and move forward.
Steps:
- Continuously forgive others - we do not fight flesh and blood
- Keep your eyes on the Lord. Stand on the promises of the Lord and don't waiver.
- Fast and pray frequently to hear the Lord clearly in those hard dark hours.
- Remember, the Lord is for you and not against you, and He never changes but is consistent.
- Keep your eyes on Him and not the circumstances happening around you.
- Determine to stay on course.
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