Armorbearers International

How many times have you heard, "These are the worst times economically since the Great Depression?" If you're like me, you've heard it over and over again. So I won't rehearse the bad news. I have good news to discuss with you.

Recently, God put it on my heart to blog weekly with encouragement as we travel through this season together. Most of my post won't be as long as this one but my goal is to keep it faith building, uplifting and encouraging.

They (blog posts) won't be all about the Helps ministry either. I plan to write about whatever the Holy Spirit puts on my heart. I will post some of the q/a sessions that Varn and I have been quietly doing. Even though we took the official question form down months ago, we still receive questions throughout the month from some of our persistent readers.

With all that said, I encourage you to look for the blessings in the midst of whatever you may be going through and be grateful. Early this morning, I was thinking of Baruch. No not U.S. President Barack but Baruch from the Bible, Prophet Jeremiah's assistant. Prophet Jeremiah and his assistant Baruch were not called into the ministry in the best of times.

In fact, the nation of Israel was under judgment for their disobedience. Many troubles and turmoil were coming their way. If you've ever read the Bible book Jeremiah, you know that Prophet Jeremiah was highly persecuted for the messages he brought to the people of God. Guess what, his assistant was going through a lot of that with him. When the King’s staff threw Prophet Jeremiah into the cistern (old world sewer), guess who had to deliver the message in his place. Yes, Baruch had to go in his place at the risk of his own life.

Baruch got weary with all the accusations and persecutions; he complained about it to Jeremiah. Although God responded He did not take him out of the troubles he was going through. He sent him words of comfort and strength. He told him, “Although I have sent judgment upon the nation of Israel, continue to be thankful for your life because I will preserve you in the midst of all the troubles that are coming upon Israel.” (Jer. 45 para.)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying God is judging America and the world. I’ll leave that to others God has appointed to speak on His behalf on these matters. I’m simply saying that no matter what your nation is going through; God will take care of YOU his people.

So, if you are experiencing troubles during these times you might be encouraged by what the Holy Spirit gave me, recently – 7 Ways to Turn Your Troubles Into Triumphs During Tough Times:

1. Look to the hills – Scripture says, “Look to the hills from whence cometh your help.” (Ps. 121:1,2) Don’t try to figure it all out in your mind trust your creator to take care of you. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord God who provides for us. Call unto Him in the day of trouble and he is faithful to deliver you. You might find the rest of that passage encouraging too located in Psalms 91.
2. Live and embrace change – Stay flexible in God’s hand. Remember, He's the potter; we're the clay. Keep an open mind during times of trouble. God may be trying to get your attention to change your heart or mind on some things. So, keep changing and keep moving. Our human nature resists change. There have been more disagreements in the Body of Christ over a small change than anything that I know of.
3. Learn from failures – We’re all fallible.  The sooner we can learn from any failures the better our life will be. For example, after I experienced my 2nd computer hard drive failure I decided to start keeping a log. At first I just said it wasn’t my fault and paid for the new drive. The second time I recorded the lessons learned and decided what I needed to change. Ralph Emerson said it best with, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising up every time we fail.”
4. Live without a lid. Don’t limit what God wants to do in your life. Many times I limit God because I don’t know how he’s going to work my troubles out. Or somehow I don’t trust that he will help me. I’ve learned over the years that as soon as I discover this thought pattern, I repent and believe to receive God’s fullness. Holding nothing back and expecting to receive all of what God has for me.
5. Laugh out loud. Don’t take yourself or our enemy the devil too seriously. What I mean by that is God is in control. He will always give you a way of escape. He’s promised to always be with you. Take a deep breath. Calm down, laugh and play with your family today while it’s still called today. The Word of God says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine." (Pr 17:22) So take your medicine and laugh out loud this week.
6. Let go of the past. Don’t hold grudges. Let the past be the past. In Scripture, we’re commanded to forgive those who trespass against us. Not only that, but remember unforgiveness will hinder God’s presence in our lives. And eventually it will block the flow of blessings. Walk in forgiveness to triumph during trying times.
7. Leap with Faith. Faith in God still moves mountains. Years ago, a friend of mine was trying to help me figure out a mountainous problem. We went over and over the circumstances; finally she said, “You have no choices. You have no hope.” My deep trust in God rose up in me and I said, “For the child of God there’s always hope. There’s always a choice. I choose faith. God will help me.” As soon as I declared that, the phone rang. A way was made.

I hope these simple principles prove helpful to your triumph throughout the week.  See you next week.