How to Always Triumph Over Troubles

John 16:33 (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Troubles will always come as long as we are in this world, as Jesus promised. However, they do not have to take us down with them. We are in the world, that is accursed and is decaying, but are not of the world (John 15:19). This means that troubles are bound to come to affect the world and those of the world, but we are immune and do not have to be affected negatively since Jesus overcame the world. He overcame all that could harm us, and stripped it off its power to harm us. Not only did He conquer the world for us, but also destroyed the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8).

With this knowledge, here are a few ways you can always triumph and walk in victory over trials:

1. Always keep in mind that they are bound to happen, and none has ceased you except that which is common to man (John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 10:13). With this in mind, always remember that Jesus deprived the troubles any power to harm you, and not think that God hates you by the fact that He allowed it to happen to you, or that you are the only one in the world who is suffering; brethren all over the world are suffering (1 Peter 5:9).

2. Always remember that you are more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37), and that the One in you is greater than any trouble that could come your way, so you cannot be destroyed (1 John 4:4). As long as the Savior is in the boat with you, you cannot capsize or be destroyed (Mark 4:35-41). You will make it to the other side, as He who called you is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

3. Always remember that the trials come to make you stronger in faith and build you up, for you to glorify Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

4. Remind yourself that trials come to bring out your patience (Galatians 5:22, James 1:3), and to make you perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4).

5. Keep in mind that trials come to qualify you for a crown of life at the end of this life (James 1:12, 1 Cor. 9:24-27).

6. Fix your eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith, who went through it all and came out victorious (Hebrews 12:1-2).

7. Focus on what is ahead of the trials, instead of focusing on the trials themselves. Imitate Jesus, who for the joy set before Him did not consider the cross but rather the glory of it after and the salvation of many souls (Hebrews 12:2).

8. Humble yourself and cast all your worries, cares and anxiety to Jesus, who cares for you and understands what you're going through at all times, as He's been where you are, physically (1 Peter 5:7, Hebrews 5:14-16, Matthew 11:28-29). Take everything to the Lord in prayer, through thanksgiving, for you to have peace (Philippians 4:6-8). Pray without ceasing. Let Christ live through you (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 4:9).

9. Have faith in God, and in Jesus (John 14:1). Stand in faith, without wavering, with your faith as a shield (Ephesians 6:16). Keep building your faith by spending time in the word of God and praying in the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17, Jude 20). 

10. Focus on God's faithfulness and goodness in the past, how He delivered you victoriously. His faithfulness will cause Him to provide a way out, as He always does (1 Corinthians 10:13).

11. Focus on God's faithfulness to fulfill that which He promised (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 2 Timothy 2:13). Focus on His faithfulness.

12. Focus on God's greatness, in comparison to the smallness of your trials/ problems (1 John 4:4).

13. Keep in mind that that which you can see is passing away; focus on the unseen, that is permanent (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). See your problems in light of eternity, how fleeting they are.

14. Be thankful in everything, knowing that this is the will of God for you in all situations, in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Find something to give thanks for, you can never miss something.

15. Focus on God's perfect and unconditional love for you, which casts out fear, and watch fear scramble for the door (1 John 4:17). Nothing, not even your trials or toughest troubles, can separate you from the love of God, in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35, 38-39). Love is patient, endures all things, bears all things and hopes all things (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7). Focus on God's love in you and for you (Romans 5:5), and it will make you patient, help you endure, bear and hope all things. When you focus on God's love for you, your hopes will NEVER disappoint (Romans 5:5).Your faith works through your knowledge of God's love for you (Gal. 5:6). The more you grow in knowledge of God's love for you, the more your faith will work for you.

Either of these can help you triumph; know all for you to have an arsenal of tools that will see you through all trials, victoriously. Of course there are other ways, and you can always add to the list, but these are what have helped me personally to get through various trials and remain standing for the brief period I've been in Christ.

Blessings.

-- Sam Gitonga. 



(20/07/14 Sunday Service Morning Exhortation, Teaching Transformation Ministry.)

Brother Sam Gitonga is a Youth Leader at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.