Standing and Trusting God in the Midst of Trials
- Lori Joy
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Lessons learned in personal struggles.
I will admit these past couple of months have been a most difficult for me. The enemy had been attacking me and my family hard on every corner.
My husband's well being was attacked resulting in him losing enough days of work that he worried, "How are we going to cover rent at the end of the month?" I managed ok by standing in faith, telling him that "God knew this would happen and we need to trust He has a plan. He looks after the sparrows... he will look after us," I told him. But I guess God decided to test me on that to see if I would practice what I preach. Because the very next week my own physical well being as well as my financial well being was attacked by an accident at work that resulted in a double hand injury which resulted in my being off work and in physiotherapy for the past two months.
I don't know how many of you have ever experienced a hand injury where you are unable to use your hand while it recovers. Now imagine being a work-o-holic with both hands being injured, in braces, and under doctors orders to not use your hands for any reason so they can heal. Now also imagine having a ton more spare time because your now off work while you recover... but not able to type up any blogs or create meme's of encouragement to post on social media, not able to write any songs, and not even able to do any housework of any kind. Ok some of you will think "Lori, what are you complaining about? Just look at it as a great vacation!"
For me it was soooo boring not being able to do anything, and frustrating to watch others doing others do stuff for me that I felt I should be doing... and it was even very discouraging. You see, I had committed to participating in a Christian Country Gospel Music event and my husband and I were in the process of writing some new songs to perform. But there was setback after setback and our preparations for the event were moving along much slower than we had anticipated... one delay of some kind after another... and then I got injured at work and everything came to a complete stop.
Ok so had some days where I did feel like a strong and mighty warrior powerfully battling to vanquish the enemy who very clearly was attacking me and trying to stop me from doing God's work... But, I have to admit that there were also days where I felt like such a broken mess... struggling with understanding what God was trying to teach me through this. In the first couple weeks after the injury it was like a back and forth, up and down experience. There would be times where I seemed to be making headway, forging ahead like a mighty warrior, and making progress in overcoming the battles. But there would also be days where I felt so drained and weary; and I would wonder, "God, WHY?" and "How much longer must I endure?" And I'd be on my knees asking God to intercede and help me through. And I began to understand what my husband had felt just a few weeks earlier when he struggled under the trials he had been facing. Whether you are a new Christian, or a veteran Christian warrior... there are times where the battles are easier to win... and other times where the battle is harder and heavier to bare... where we struggle to maintain that warrior spirit and to just stand facing the battle head on with our trust 100% in God.
So how do we contend? For starters... Day after day, praying and choosing to stand on God's promises no matter how circumstances may seem... as well as soaking ourselves in God's holy word for encouragement and strength. I can testify that the more I did this, the less intimidating the circumstances felt. I accepted what circumstances that I could not change in my own power, and I left it in God's hands... trusting that He will work His perfect will. God's plan is better than my own plans anyway.
So while at the start my boat was rocked... God calmed the waters and peace was soon re-established in my heart and mind. While it was a long time in recovery, it went by pretty fast. I am still in therapy for my hands, but I now can do a lot more with my hands than I could before, and I have been participating in a gradual return to work plan which now is in its third week.
So what would I hope that others could learn from my "life lesson" experience here?...
God knows far better than us what needs to be done to manifest the victory over all that we are facing. We don't always see the reason or the purpose for our pain or trials... but God is ALWAYS faithful if we keep faithful in trusting him. I encourage you to stand faithful and follow His direction as you soldier on through it all... All the while trusting... believing... and standing on God's promises. And in His perfect timing you will see the enemy defeated. And you will be standing on the other side victorious. Remember always that the battle was already won on the cross over 2000 years ago. Satan tries to lie to us and make us feel defeated, but know he is a liar. The victory belongs to Jesus, and as a believer and follower of Christ you are on the winning side. Praise you Jesus!!!
Do not ever allow the enemy to tell you otherwise. Soldier on sons and daughters of the King of Kings!
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