For when it seems all hell is let loose...

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Trying times are, indeed, hard to navigate, even for a word-filled spiritually-minded person. After all, we're still flesh, blood and flawed!

It is important then that we know where to turn, whom to consult and whose word to hold fast to at those times when it seems the gates of problems have been flung wide open! Those times when you just can't understand why it seems you have a heap of pressing issues all at once! Those times when it seems the noise is reaching its loudest! Those times when worry and anxiety have gripped you! Those times when we're overcome by fear!

We can find the strength and faith to hold on and press on in God's word!

Remember and reflect on these when it seems all hell is let loose...

- Remember and reflect on past victories!
God has surely been faithful to you in the past and has won a number of battles - both great and small - for you.

When David was to face the giant in 1 Samuel 17, he reeled out his past triumphs; how he "...went out after it [a lion that had captured one of his father's sheep] and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it." (v 34-37).

No matter how hard it seems now, ..."forget not all His benefits..." (Psalm 103:2-5).

- Remember and reflect that God will never allow all ways to be closed at the same time for you! Let that sink in!

In Exodus 14, the Israelites seemed to reach a dead end; there was no way to their right or left, behind the Egyptian Pharaoh and his army were speeding towards them, and in front was a great body of water - they were trapped, or so it seemed! It seemed there was no hope, that all doors were closed at the same time, but never with God! He'll
"...also make the way of escape..." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God will make a way...goes a popular song.

- Remember and reflect on the fact that tomorrow will be brighter (Romans 8:18).

No matter how dark or gloomy the night is, morning will surely come, and it comes with joy (Psalm 30:5).

- Remember and reflect that all things work together for good "...to those who LOVE God, to those who are the called according to His PURPOSE." (Romans 8:28).

- Remember and reflect on God's promises in His word!

God is not like we mortals, we could say things we don't really mean or make promises we can't keep. Has God said it? Then He'll surely do it! Or has He spoken it? Then He'll surely make good on the promise (Numbers 23:19).
Not one jolt of God's promise will go unfulfilled! (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35).

-Remember and reflect on who you are in Christ - embrace your true identity!

Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33); we're not conquerors, we're MORE than that (Romans 8:37)! We're complete in Him (Colosians 2:10), joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:17), live, move and exist in Him (Acts 17:28), and God has "...raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." (Ephesians 2:6-7) - far above all principality and power!

- Remember and reflect that you're going through your refining phase and you'll come out a priceless gem - "...perfect and complete, lacking nothing"! (James 1:2-4).

- Remember and reflect that God never forsakes His own!
He will never leave you, He'll never forsake you! He has promised He'll be with us ..."even to the end of age". (Matthew 28:20; Hebrew 13:5).

- Remember and reflect that your help comes from God, and not any individual (Psalm 121:1-8; 119:114). Fix your gaze on Him. Like the man by the Gate Beautiful in Acts 3, fix your eyes on the solution! Put your trust and confidence in God, and not in man (Psalm 118:8).

- Remember and reflect that you are a value carrier and a value adder (like salt and light; Matthew 5:13-16) - you are an asset! That's why it seems the world is fighting you!

In a football game, which player (or players) is the opposing team more likely to attack - the ones that pose a genuine threat to them or the ones that can do nothing with the ball?
The devil knows what you carry and he wants to extinguish your light; just like he tried to do with Moses and Jesus in their infancy! But guess what! He failed woefully in each case; he'll fail also in your case if you hold onto God and not give up!

- Remember and reflect that God loves you to bits! Never doubt that! Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:31-39).

- Remember and reflect that God wants to give you a story that you'll use to inspire others (2 Corinthians 1:3-6).

- Remember and reflect that God has amazing plans in store for you! The future He imagines for you is one of hope, bliss, goodness and peace - it's a bright future! (Jeremiah 29:11).

- Remember and reflect that our ultimate hope - an eternity in God's blissful presence - cannot be cut short! (Colossians 1:27).


P.S: This all sound great, but it comes with a caveat. All God's promises hold true and will unfailingly come to pass in your life, but only when you're in tune with Him! It's the path of the righteous that is guaranteed to shine brighter and brighter...