How to remain calm in difficult times.
It is not easy to remain calm and trust in God, during difficult times. Our human nature is to panic, and try and take control of the situation. The fact is, during the most trying times we face, we usually have the least amount of influence on the situation. If the nation we live in is at war, or our regional or world economy is in turmoil, we have little or no control. If a worldwide pandemic were to occur, or we find we are facing a personal medical, financial, or emotional trial, there is often little or nothing we can do. This is why it is so important to trust in Jesus in good times, and in bad. The more we learn to trust in Jesus for our needs in good times, the easier it will be to rest and trust in him during difficult times. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. This verse from Jeremiah gives a picture of a man or woman trusting in the Lord, and it states, they shall not see when the heat cometh. Notice it does not say the heat will not come. It indicates this person, trusting in God, does not see it when it comes. This would seem to be contrary to good common sense. Shouldn’t we be aware of all the dangers and difficulties we may face in the future? Is this saying we should hide our heads in the sand as an ostrich, and not be aware of the world we live in? No, this shows a person who is not focused on the world we see, but rather has set his focus and trust on a world that cannot be seen. Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The person who trusts in God receives their deliverance through an unseen source, just as the tree pictured in Jeremiah receives its nourishment through its roots. A river is pictured in scripture as symbolic of God’s Holy Spirit. Jonah 2:8 states, “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” Lying vanities are the things we see in this world, that are contrary to God’s word. Lets try and learn to trust in God, in good times and in bad, and receive our nourishment from the living river of God’s spirit.
- Posted in: Practical Beliefs
- Tagged: Bible, Christian, Christianity, faith, Father, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Living waters, Lord, promises of God, Religion, salvation, Trust, Trust in God
Saved By Faith In Christ 
Leon,
I love the connections you make in your presentations; it is a very unique way to visualize the work of God in our daily lives. Even those we are living in uncharter territory, grappling with a global pandemic and political tension, we must learn to trust that God will provide for us and protect us. Although Satan is waging war against us on a daily basis, we can take comfort in the secret Heavenly place that the Lord has provided for us. I know it hurts deeply, but God will always make a way out of no way.
these lying vanities you mentioned is a representation of the lusts of the world, and the lies of this evil world. It also represents the corrupt nature of Satan and the sinful flesh. Let’s focus on the cross and the things of the unseen spiritual realm. On the other side of the hot winds of tribulation, Heaven is waiting for us! Take your eyes off the flesh. I will leave you with this thought-provoking statement. If Satan focusses on the lusts of the eyes, the things of the flesh is the main source of your lust. When the eyes cling to Earthly protection from the fires of testing, it delights in lies, and forgets the reality of Haven’s golden treasures. If anyone looks at his flesh alone, he is blind to the light. He have therefore lusted after the world, and has sinned against the eternal light.
I, time and time again, will be guilty of this, and turn to panicking for a brief second. But, praise God that He will never fail us and keeps His promises.
PS: In leiu of this post, I would be happy to send you a sermon I shared with Agape this September on anxiety and trusting in God. If you would like, you can join in and reflect on the questions in the slideshow. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1H0MKOesq2PWi5qyUvugwSThj468r6CBgT3M4cH9q4R0/edit?usp=drivesdk
🙂