In the Midst of the Trial — Not After
“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life,” 1 Timothy 6:19.
We rejoice to see someone whom The LORD has brought through a difficult trial.
Our hearts cheer when those that have suffered come out victorious in The LORD. But what about those that are STILL in the trial?
The usual scenario unfolds with someone giving their testimony of how God brought them through a very difficult time — and we praise God for testimonies such as these.
Yet, where are the testimonies of those that are still in the battle?
With the exception of the stories of those living in countries under persecution, I cannot recall a Christian being interviewed while still in their trial.
The sad truth is, it’s not popular for someone to talk of the pain they are presently enduring.
Everyone is glad to hear from them after their storm is over. It makes for engaging television interviews.
But, don’t ask them to speak on camera before their answer has come. We want to see the effects after the storm, not during it!
This world lives in great delusion. There is much suffering in this life.
You’ll hear many news reports of the plight of others. All you have to do is look to other countries. Just don’t let that person talk until their suffering is over. That’s when we want to hear from them.
The Apostle Paul gave us many examples of suffering in the midst of the trial. In fact, when we look to The Bible, Scripture is full of such testimony.
Peter and James spoke of suffering, and Jesus, Himself, provides for us, the greatest example of all,
“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour,” John 12:27.
It wasn’t long after this He was led to The Cross.
It is one thing to rejoice after the trial is over — it is another thing to stand triumphant in the midst of the storm.
Children of God, we are going to see increasing suffering and tribulation as the days approach. We praise God that we can look back at our trials, but we should not be so complacent to think that other trials won’t be enveloping us head on.
We have to learn to stand strong in the midst of the storm. Why only talk about after the trial, and not what is happening now!
We like things to go smoothly — a normal day without disruptions. But, is there anything that is normal?
Is there any day where everything is just perfect — feeling good, no problems? We shouldn’t expect it!
We need to be like Paul that took pleasure in infirmities, knowing that we are free indeed in Jesus Christ and that there is nothing that can separate us from His love!
As Children of God in the Army of The LORD Jesus Christ, we shouldn’t anticipate a life free from trouble. Rather, as Paul tells us, we should expect it,
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of The LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh,” 2 Corinthians 4:8-11.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed! Though it is painful, and we don’t understand why, we should not be surprised when the trial comes!
It would be easy to say that we will never go through anything in this life as a Christian. One thing is for sure, people do not want to hear that they will have to.
Because God’s People do not put Him first and follow His ways, those same people who put the world before Him will suffer tremendous chastening in the days ahead.
People are succumbing to the world’s ways and following man’s laws and not God’s. Churches are full of people giving messages of what congregations want to hear.
We firmly believe in and praise God for healings and deliverances. Christ IS indeed our Healer! Yet, so many take the approach that Christianity is only about the things that make you feel good, rather than bearing The Cross.
People don’t refer to the parts of The Bible that talk about suffering, because they don’t really know what it means to suffer.
I hear sermons all the time about how powerful The Church is. Regretfully, The Church that I see does not resemble The Church that is recorded in The Book of Acts!
It’s easy to say it is, just as it is easy to talk about things that are pleasing to our flesh, but until we see the sick laid out in the street, being healed by our shadow, then we have not seen the Book of Acts.
Until we see people being raised from the dead, we have not seen the Book of Acts.
Until we see a blind person recover sight to their eyes, or a lame person walking, we have not seen the Book of Acts. Nor have we seen The Gospels.
Can God do these miracles today? Of course He can! Jesus Christ IS The Healer ! His Power has NOT changed.
It is the condition of The Church that has changed. It is the condition of man’s heart that has changed!
Denominations have changed — people have changed — all leading up to the final, last, and evil days that we are living in as we speak.
These are the last days, where we are told that,
“…… there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect,” Matthew 24:24.
We are going to see much false activity going on in churches as we approach the final days. The devil is not going to come in, advertising that he is here ready to deceive.
You can be sure it will be unannounced, and the deception will be great!
Because men do not choose The Fear of The LORD, they will be turned over to strong delusion. They will be turned over to a lie and be damned.
They will receive the recompense of their error, which is meet. They will desire to hear a word of The LORD, and will not be able to find it.
They will weep for the misery that is come upon them, because they chose not the fear of The LORD.
They chose rather to walk in the ways of their own — the ways of their own making. They will seek a word in due time, but will not find it.
They will run to and fro seeking knowledge, but will not be able to find it. They will choose a way of their own making and not choose The Fear of The LORD.
Rest in the arms of The Living God, for in the arms of The LORD God Jehovah is everlasting strength.
He will be a Strength to His people, a Refuge in the time of trouble, an ever abiding presence in the midst of the storm.
He will lead them and guide them and bring them to clear, cool, crystal water. He will refresh them and strengthen them, saith The LORD, and be a God to them and walk with them.
No more shall they ever hunger again, or thirst again, or shall there be any light upon them, for The LORD God Himself will strengthen them and lead them to cool, clear pastures, saith The LORD.
He will be their Shield, their ever present help in the time of trouble. He will lead them and guide them, and be with them, even unto the end of the world.
Thus and thus saith The LORD. Amen and amen. Thus and thus saith The LORD, Amen!
The LORD gave me this word in the midst of writing this message, and so, I will leave it in, right where it is, believing and trusting that it is The LORD that gave it to me, for this time, and for this place.
Can we just relax? We should not expect to.
Though we are to rest in The LORD, we should realize that we will go through one trial after another, and it is only the patience that The LORD gives us that will get us through.
We are told in the Book of Revelation, “…… Here is the patience and the faith of the saints,” (Revelation 3:10).
It is that Holy Ghost and fire that is keeping us alive — sustaining us in the midst of the storm. It is truly in these moments that we find The LORD in the strongest way!
We should rejoice in the midst of the suffering — in the midst of the pain — offering our bodies to The LORD as a living sacrifice!
We should rejoice and be glad knowing that this is the day that The LORD has made! We should rejoice, knowing that we are suffering for Christ’s sake. We do not accept deliverance, that we might obtain a better resurrection!
We should pray to The LORD for help! Let us be troubled, but not distressed — perplexed but not in despair — cast down but not destroyed!
As we face these things, ask The LORD to help you face these battles as He would face them.
These times will trouble you. There is no getting around it. There seems to be this misconception in Churches, that because you are a Christian, that you are exempt from being troubled over anything.
This is not true. We are to trust and rest in The LORD and He will carry us through, but that is why He has to carry us, because otherwise we would fall.
We are not exempt from sorrow. We are not exempt from tears. We are not exempt from being deeply concerned over troubling circumstances.
We walk by faith in His strength as He leads us through the hardship.
It is impossible for tribulation to come without it causing distress. We should just pray that it not completely undo us.
Scripture says we will be perplexed, but it will not bring us to despair. If and when we are persecuted, we know that we are not forsaken.
We will most likely be cast down, but it will not destroy us. We will get up again!
As we pray these things in accordance with the Will of God, we must realize that we will be brought to our knees through the fire.
Ask The LORD, that if the thing that you desire deliverance from does come back, to help you to not be distressed — maybe a little troubled — but not distressed!
Ask Him to help you to not be in despair — maybe a little perplexed — but not in despair.
Pray that you know that you are not forsaken — maybe persecuted, but not — never — forsaken.
Pray that you are not destroyed over this thing that is attacking you — maybe cast down a little, but not — no never — destroyed!
And, LORD, let me not fear, but walk in Your perfect Love!
And, let me have Your Joy through it all!
This we should pray and ask in The Name of Jesus! Amen!
First published: June 2014.
~ Rich Fyke
Rich Fyke of Eternal Life Ministries is a watchmen, pastor, and Bible teacher, with a specific calling to wake up the end time Church. His desire is to prepare the people of God for The Coming of The LORD and for the things leading up to His Coming.
Eternal Life Ministries also operates on YouTube and Facebook.
The scripture that comes to me is EXODUS 15 – The Song of Moses – The Lord says I am your song. They did not sing this song until they were on the other side triumphant!!! The Lord is fighting a battle for me right now and all I want to do is to be in His presence where He fights for me and there is joy knowing He will never leave you nor forsake you. I do not want to talk to anyone on the phone or be texting, but rather spend the time with the Lord until the storm is over, that is my heart. He is our refuge in these last days which are dark and I am praying that many people would come to know Him and worship Him!!! Thanks for posting this message. God bless you much and your family.
You are very welcome and God bless you. I pray with you, as you are in this battle, and that is the RIGHT place to be, with The Lord fighting your battle. Just keep remembering, we are always caused to triumph in Christ!
Thank you for this. Your posts are a breath of truth and reality on this site.
A dear elderly friend of mine often used to speak about how God told Ananias that he would show Paul how much he would suffer for him and how many of us would still follow if we were told that?
As someone who supported a disabled believer and with a hidden disability myself the books of Corinthians have given me much comfort, strength and hope.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 comfort others as we have been comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:8. ‘For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life’.
It is easy to walk beside someone who is positive, successful, attractive, fun, bouncy. Many followed Jesus when He was doing miracles. Many turned back when He turned towards death in Jerusalem and set his face like flint. How many were there when his body was out of joint and distorted from the horrific death he suffered? When he had no beauty that we should desire him? (Ps 22, Is 52:14, Is 53:2)
As someone who suffered physical bullying as a disabled child, the fact that Jesus went through that for my sins is breathtaking.
Thank you. God bless you.
And yes, it’s true, many followed Christ for only so long and then walked no more with Him.
Amen.