“…the battle is the LORD’s…” 1 Samuel 17:47

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when dealing with life’s challenges. We may feel so beaten down it’s difficult to find time for church, or God’s word. And if difficulties stem from the economy, or someone else’s poor choices, we may believe there’s not a lot WE can do.

At times like these it is important to ask what God is trying to teach us, or if there is something God wants us to do differently. It is time to seek God with even more fervor than before. If we believe our problems our caused by others, we might miss the blessing God has for us.

For example, say you lose your job after working for a company for 25 years. Your company had to scale back and you were laid off. You didn’t do anything wrong. Your work was exemplary. You can easily believe it was the economy’s fault, even your company’s fault, for not belt-tightening in other areas. But the truth is you can’t change those things. You can only change your attitude towards them. And if you are panicky because your mortgage note is due soon and your checking account is drained, God may want to work on your attitude!

No one likes to have their backs against the wall, but in just those times God builds our faith. He is known to show up in the nick of time, with a check in the mail or a even a miracle. It is these times when we reach out to God, spending more time in his Word, prayer or even fasting. It is these times that we seek out preachers and churches and God’s instruction, where ever we can find it.

While no one enjoys facing bills without ready resources to pay for them, we need not walk in fear of bankruptcy court, eviction, or having to beg for food. God may want to deliver us from fear of poverty or lack. He also may be positioning us for a better job, maybe in another location.

In times of trial, it is a great comfort to know God does indeed have a plan for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11) And while it may be hard to obey his command to rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16), there is one thing we can always rejoice in: the battle is HIS.

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Cheryl Rogers is author of Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook a short, 40-lesson devotions book teaching the basics of a Christian lifestyle. The book encapsulates the biblical lessons we need to love and forgive others, set aside pride, deal with tragedy and death and lots more. The book is for young Christians, new Christians and those eager to run the race set before them.