When you go through hard times, how do you respond? Of course, the situation will influence how you react, but trials are a time when our true beliefs are sifted out. We were created with a natural sense to “fight or flee” when danger comes. Sometimes we vacillate between both of these. Is there something difficult that you are walking through right now? How are you responding to it?
What we believe deep in our souls about God will impact how we respond to suffering. Our past relationships with our earthly father, past traumas or painful situations, beliefs we have developed about ourselves, God, and this world over the years and others’ influence as they evaluate our circumstances, all have a bearing on our reactions in times of trouble. Therefore, it is critical that when we walk through trials, we evaluate what our responses tell us about our deep beliefs in God and our relationship to Him. Then we need to run to the Word of God to see what is actually true. “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Ask the Lord to fill you with faith to believe His Word over your feelings or “logical conclusions” about your current experiences. Keep in mind what the Lord says about our evaluation of our circumstances: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).