InstaEncouragements Building a worldwide online community of encouragers encouraging others in the faith of Jesus Christ. Join the movement!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • 52 Days in Psalms
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
TDGC shop now banner

​ Supernatural Response to Trials

3/27/2020

6 Comments

 
​ Supernatural Response to Trials
Everyone has trials at some time or another. Sometimes they are determined by our season in life:
  • Moms dealing with sleep deprivation or disobedient children
  • Career women working an unbearable job or for an unreasonable boss
  • A wife in a tough marriage relationship
  • Older women with health issues

There could be financial challenges, loneliness, fears, or a multitude of other such problems. And who knew we would ever be part of a pandemic and its ramifications? 

As we are met with these obstacles to happiness in our lives, we tend to focus on them and cannot see beyond our own hurt, pain, and inconveniences.
TDGC logo
TDGC banner
​To this point in my life, the hardest thing the Lord has asked me to do over an extended period of time was being a caregiver. It was full time, confining, and drained me of my physical, emotional, and spiritual resources. Although I desired to have the right attitude and respond correctly, it became apparent very quickly that spiritual battles were going on around me constantly and inside me as my own selfishness and wickedness were exposed. I continued to stay in the Word and found some interesting responses to trials there. It became a challenge and blessing to me as I worked to respond in a supernatural way instead of a natural way to the trial God had allowed for me. The following is what I found.

First, I read about Job. Job 1:13 says, “And there was a day….” ​

And what a day it was because on that day Job lost everything (but his wife)!
​This included his livestock, his property, his wealth, and his ten children. Talk about having a bad day! But Job’s response was…wait for it…worship!

Next, I considered Isaac who was to be sacrificed on an altar by his father. ​

Trials don’t get much more intense than that! 
​Genesis 22:6-8 indicates that Isaac was a willing participant, and v. 9 says that Isaac was bound by his father. Isaac’s response to this life and death trial was obedience even though he was undoubtedly stronger than his father. ​

How about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego?

These young men were going to be thrown in a fiery furnace if they didn’t bow to the king’s image. Their response to this heated trial was steadfastness and faithfulness no matter what happened.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail, 

not for an evil crime but for preaching Christ! ​
What was their response according to Acts 16:25? They were praying and singing!!
​"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25
All of these men mentioned were eventually delivered from their great trials, but what about when we are not released?

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 tells us about Paul begging the Lord to take his infirmity away, but God chose to deny Paul’s request. God gave Paul grace to endure instead. So what was Paul’s response to God’s denial? Verses 9 and 10 tell us Paul gave God glory and took pleasure in his trial for the cause of Christ!
​"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for 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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul wasn’t just okay with God not releasing him from his trial he was happy he could depend on God’s grace to help him endure the trial.

How are you responding to the trial you are going through right now?

  • Are you taking time to worship as Job did in spite of the loss?
  • Are you being obedient with each thing God gives you?
  • Are you steadfast in your faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego?
  • Can you look beyond your circumstance to pray and sing like Paul and Silas?
  • Are you willing to endure the inconvenience and pain like Paul, in order to see God’s glory being revealed in you?

​God’s reputation is at stake as people watch you respond­ to the trials He has entrusted to you. Depend on His grace so you can respond supernaturally.
Debbie

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled, by Harold Myra, will refocus your spirit, calm your heart, and remind you of God’s promises when you feel worried or anxious. 
Let Not Your Heart be Troubled
Buy Now on Amazon
It gives you forty days of hope-filled meditations immersed in the teachings, stories, and prayers of Jesus. Each day provides:
  • Devotional thoughts on the intersection of the reader, the world, and Jesus
  • A Bible-based prayer focused on a single chapter of Scripture
  • One or two short lines to pray and consider throughout the day

It’s designed for you to read in the morning so that the example of how Jesus dealt with troubles and the Bible-based prayers will carry you through the day resting in Him—unburdened by worries.
 
Yes, we live in a chaotic world of rapid change, personal crisis, and global tragedy, where fear and anxiety are on the rise. But you don't have to respond that way. Read Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled and see how you can have a different mind-set based on Jesus’s example.

Can you say, like Paul. "For when I am weak, then I am strong" 2 Corinthians 12:10? How has God helped you respond supernaturally to trials?
Please Share
6 Comments
Bethany McIlrath
3/27/2020 09:38:35 am

What an encouragement today! Stopping to praise Him!!

Reply
Debbie
3/27/2020 10:06:57 am

That's great, Bethany! He is a great God who deserves it, for sure. Our circumstances don't define Him - His Word does.

Reply
Beth Steffaniak link
3/30/2020 02:59:36 pm

Such amazing truth, Debbie! Worship certainly is what we should turn to when we feel overwhelmed and afraid! Thanks so much for this reminder and for Patsy sharing your thoughts with us! Pinning and tweeting, my friend!

Reply
Debbie
3/30/2020 04:46:53 pm

Thanks, Beth. It's so much easier to let our emotions take over in times of trial instead of being intentional about focusing on truth. We all need to be reminded of this regularly!

Reply
Jenn Mertz link
3/30/2020 06:06:35 pm

I enjoyed the whole read, but this part stirred my heart: "​God’s reputation is at stake as people watch you respond­ to the trials He has entrusted to you. Depend on His grace so you can respond supernaturally." Thank you! & Dan 3 @ the fiery furnace has been on my heart as well, so it's interesting to see that pop up again.

Reply
Debbie
3/30/2020 09:04:46 pm

Yes, we don't change who God is by our responses to trials, but we can certainly change how others perceive Him with our responses. God bless, Jenn!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Patsy
    Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here. 

    How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, lock screens, and more? You’re going to love this library, there is all kinds of exclusive content, just for you!

    Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.

    After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that!
    Patsy signature

    Join the movement!

    * indicates required
    ARTZA banner
    Use our exclusive code INSTA25 for 25% OFF your subscription box!

    Top Posts

    16 Names of God & What They Mean
    12 Things the Bible Says God Knows About Us
    6 Things We Can Learn From Habakkuk 
    18 Characteristics of True Christianity
    10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption
    From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman
    12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer
    A Lesson From King Jehoshaphat

    Featured

    Welcome Heart
    LaurenSparks.net
    beLydia.org
    Brave Women Series
    Grace & Truth
    Messy Marriage
    Money Wise Steward
    Wield The Word
    Woman of Noble Character
    The Best Bible Study Books For Women

    Categories

    All
    7 Things God Is Not
    ABCs Of The Bible
    Amanda
    Bible Emergency Numbers
    Bible Study
    Books We Love
    Cami
    Cancer
    Christine
    Come And Gather
    Debbie
    Elisabeth
    Family Life
    Guest Post
    Journey To The Cross
    Julie
    Kathy
    Link Ups
    Our Words Matter
    Printables
    Stephanie
    Summer Book Club
    Sweeter Than Honey
    The Bible

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

InstaEncouragements participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program 
designed to provide a means for this site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 
This site also contains affiliate links for The Daily Grace Company, Faithbox, Minted.com,
​
Canvas Vows, Digital Grab Bag, Grove Collaborative, Faithful Life Planner, and Tailwind.
InstaEncouragements will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links or a link from one of our posts.
​​Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions
InstaEncouragements logo
© InstaEncouragements |2023|  all rights reserved
IE blog footer image
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • 52 Days in Psalms
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God