How NOT to give up, when problems and trials are all around I

Greetings to you, my dear friends! Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!

I would like to start talking about how to not give up in the midst of problems and trials. It is not a secret that our whole life is filled with problems and tests, but we have to learn to overcome them, if we want to move forward in this life.

Nowadays many people give up as soon as something does not go like they expected or some problems start to choke them. I will tell you honestly that it is not hard to go through different problems with dignity, – you must learn it. It does not happen automatically; you must prepare yourself for it. If we won’t prepare ourselves ahead of time, then at difficult times we will fail and give up. Lack of discipline and preparation will create instability in our lives and will hinder our progress.

When you read your Bible you can see that the will of God is for us not to give up when hardships come our way. Problems and unfavourable circumstances are a part of the enemy’s strategy that is designed to stop us and to break our faith. On the other side, God allows all of them because he knows how to use them for our good.

«And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purposes» (Romans, 8:28).

For the same reason the Bible says that the one who is born of God overcomes the world.

«You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world» (1 John, 4: 4).

For example, if I want to serve God, the devil will send many problems and trials my way so that he can stop me. But God wants me to overcome these problems and keep serving Him.

Daniel is a great example of it. Despite the threats of his adversaries, Daniel continued to serve God in prayer.

«It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdoms; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him, “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counsellors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statue and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days» (Daniel, 6:1-10).

Of course, Daniel had to suffer for this, and perhaps we also will have to suffer for a time, but if we do not give up, we will not only win, but also lead other people, just like Daniel did.

«And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spike, saying to Daniel, „Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, „O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions – them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they even came to the bottom of the den. Then King Darius wrote: „To all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions”. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian» (Daniel, 6:20-28).

I do not know what problems stand in your way, but this I know for sure: God doesn’t want us to give up. God wants you to go through it all with Him and give you the victory. This is the word of God for you today.

God bless you today!

Till tomorrow!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye