Freedom for Ladies: A Journey to Freedom in ChristSample

Overcoming Trials 

Let me introduce you to my good friend Linda. Her husband of 30 years was a pastor who had been having an extended affair with his brother’s wife. Engaging in our Bible study group radically changed Linda’s life and gave her courage to set boundaries and make long-delayed decisions. Her story did end in divorce, as many such situations do, but her healing process birthed a ministry: She has now had 32 therapeutic foster kids in her home. She wrote a book to help her foster kids deal with their pain. Linda learned to run to the Word and let God search her heart. But most of all, she became a woman of repentance (remember Day 4?).

Today is all about what you do when you encounter trials. How do you handle stress? We’re talking about daily stress, just normal, everyday life. Let’s keep this practical: How do you handle days when something at work gets difficult? How do you handle an angry boss when you’re not in the wrong? How do you handle three small children under five on a day-to-day basis? How do you handle a difficult friend or parent? This is real life.

Let’s look back at Psalm 139. Be still and search your heart. Are you hurt? Are you offended? Have you been falsely accused, and need to forgive? If you sense anything, then choose to repent. If you are not in the wrong, pray for courage and talk to the person in question. Be a person who values the relationship more than the conflict. Remember, repentance brings time of refreshing, and repentance is truly a gift. If you don’t need to repent, then focus on the fact that relationships are key—pray and ask God how to mend what has been fractured. I’ve found it helpful to be still with the Holy Spirit, and ask Him how to solve things. I might have to wait a few days or even weeks, but I don’t move until I know I’ve heard from Him. Waiting takes patience, but the fruit is worth it, because the Holy Spirit knows how to solve great mysteries.

Pray:

Lord, Your Word says to count it all joy when I encounter various trials. Please reveal the truth to me in this current trial (or future trials). Teach me to search my heart for any idolatry or wounds that I need to repent of. Use these trials to make me more like Jesus. 

Be Still:

Sit and be still with the Lord. Let Him search your heart today for any hidden things, or any diamonds or blessings that you are not yet walking in. Do you need to repent and replace in any area? This is a pattern we want to establish daily. Checking our hearts daily is key! Begin rejoicing and trusting God that He knows what is best for you, and that in His time there’s a solution. Wait with praise.