I was praying for one of the saints who is going through tough trials, and the following thoughts occurred to me.  As I was praying, I applied these to myself as well, for I also have been struggling as of late.  These are by no means the "be all-end all" steps to take when dealing with trials and tribulations, but I think they are certainly beneficial to remember.

 

 

1.  God is Sovereign over all things.  Including your hardships.  No matter what obstacle or trial you are facing, it is important to remember that God is sovereign over it.  He is the author of all life, including hard times.  Remembering that He is in DIRECT control is the first step to overcoming your difficulty.

 

Ephesians 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"

 

You'll notice that He works ALL THINGS, not just good things, after the counsel of His own will. 

 

 

2.  God loves you.  His ultimate design and plan for your life is good.  He is not evil or cruel.  He is merciful and loving to His children.  Remembering that His Sovereignty is working all things (including your hardships and trials) for a good purpose is key.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

He is bringing you to an EXPECTED END.  His sovereign hand will guide your life to it's end where He has peace, not evil, planned for you.

 

 

3.  Knowing His sovereignty and love, you can rest assured that all things that happen to you are for your good.  Every occurrence is working for your benefit.  Even the things we perceive as evil and unwanted.  Even our mistakes and errors.  All things are being guided to an ultimate end of good.  Every single thing that happens to you is for your good.

 

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

 

ALL THINGS.  Nothing is outside of that category.

 

 

4.  So, knowing that He is in control and He loves you and all things are working for your good, you can rest assured that everything that occurs to you has a good purpose.  And what is God's purpose for you?  To make you in the image of Christ!  To conform you to His image.  To create Christ-like character in you.  So EVERYTHING, every trial, every error, every mistake, every good thing, is designed to work out sanctification in your heart and life.  It is ALL designed to make you like Christ.  So in every circumstance, TRUST that God is working out some characteristic or flaw in your nature, to create in you the image of Jesus Christ!

 

James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

 

 

5.  Knowing all these things, TRUST God.  He loves you, He is in control, and He is working for your ultimate good.  So relax in His hands.  He is the potter, you are the clay, and He is making a GOOD WORK.  So trust.  Even in the fiery furnace.  Even when He is chipping away at imperfections.  Even when it hurts and is scary, TRUST HIS PLAN.  He NEVER fails. 

 

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."