When the storm comes, say what God says

Often times, saying what God says in the midst of life’s trials seems like a daunting task. When everything is running smoothly and all our needs are being met, it is quite easy to rejoice in the Lord and thank him for all that he has done for us. It’s not nearly as easy to praise God and thank him when we are stuck in the quagmire. Whatever situation we are dealing with, God has made it clear in his word that he has given us everything we need to overcome any and every situation.

First and foremost, don’t allow yourself to be distracted by what is irrelevant. So many times we get wrapped up in the why or the how. We can spend so much time asking ourselves, or God, “How in the world something like this could happen?” We start analyzing what it was we did or didn’t do. Sometimes we may even be tempted to blame God and accuse him of allowing it. Forget about the why and how. Even if the situation was caused by a bad decision on our part, we can’t go back and change anything. Why open the door to condemnation?

What does the word say?

Romans 8:1 says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.” Are you in Christ Jesus? Farther down in Romans 8, verse 37 says, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” When the how and the why start creeping around, say what God says.

Secondly, stay focused on what is going right and not on what is going wrong. Focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t have. If the only positive thing you can come up with is having food and shelter, then praise God! You have food and shelter. How many people on this earth do not have food or shelter? Grab hold of the good and rejoice! Don’t despise the little things. There are many who would be willing to degrade themselves horribly for even a crumb of food and a bed to sleep in. So, say what God says. “I am blessed exceedingly. I have abundance and no lack! I rejoice in the Lord because he has made me glad.” John 10:10 says Jesus came so we may have life, and have it more abundantly. Psalm 84:11,12 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you!”

I think that right there is something to be excited about.

Now, when I say to focus on the good, I’m not telling anyone to ignore what is happening to them. I’m not telling you to go off into fantasyland and pretend that whatever is going on isn’t real. I’m not telling you to fear speaking about what is happening to you or to lie about your situation. What I’m telling you is; do what you can do in your own strength and wisdom. Trust God with the rest. When you get a bad report, address it with the good report.

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble,” it says in Psalm 9:9,10. “And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

No matter what is happening, read it, say it and believe it. Trust that God will show you the best way to handle the situation. What you can’t do, he will. Psalm 46:1 says: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Remember, If God is for you, who can be against you?

Thirdly, do more than hold hands. What in the world does that mean, you ask. Let’s look at the word. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. If God said it would be, then it is. Everything God says is a promise because God is not capable of lying. Sarah laughed at the thought of bearing a son in her old age. We know from the word that Abraham and Sarah’s son was conceived naturally. In other words, in order for God’s promise to be fulfilled, they had to do more than hold hands. They had to act. They had to believe what God said was true and act; believing every single time they knew each other that God’s promise would be fulfilled. They did what was possible for them to do. They believed God would take care of the seemingly impossible. God was, is, and always will be faithful.

Finally, don’t forget what faith is. Hebrews 11 tells us what faith is and why it is important.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Further down, in verse 6 it says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”

It doesn’t matter how bad things feel, how they look or what everyone else is saying. Stand on what God says. Believe what he has told you in his word. Say it and believe it in your heart — “I can do all things through Christ who has strengthened me.” Pray the word over your situation. If you are praying what God says, there is no room for human error or selfishness. Get in the word and be a doer.

Angela Kutzner lives in Wasilla. She is a mother and director of Children’s Ministries at Abundant Life Church.

Opinions expressed on the Faith page are the author’s and are not necessarily those of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, its staff or its parent company, Wick Communications Co. To submit a column or other news for the Faith page, send email to news@frontiersman.com, or call 352-2268.