Yesterday my Bishop (Bishop A Ray Rouson) preached a sermon titled, “You Can Face It”. It spoke to me directly as only God knows about the challenges in life I am currently facing and dealing with. I was truly ministered by it and wanted to take this time to encourage and share a portion of the sermon with you.
Whatever it is you are facing OR need to face; whether that’s facing problems, obstacles, issues, weaknesses, decisions, a wilderness experience or etc, know that through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you, you can face it.
Below are 3 things you can expect when facing life’s challenges. I encourage you in advance to be encouraged and not intimidated by them. Let it encourage you to confront the challenges you’re facing.
3 things to Expect When Facing Life’s Challenges
The enemy will try to put fear in you
When you make a decision to face something, one of the tactics of the devil is to embed fear in you. Convincing you to believe you can’t do it and to think of all the things that will happen as a result of you confronting what needs to be faced.
Don’t give into the schemes of the devil. We know that he comes to kill, steal and destroy and that God has NOT given you the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. Overcome the spirit of fear with faith.
Expect people to change on you
When Jesus was here on earth, the same people who smiled in His face were the same people who turned on Him and yelled for him to be crucified. Truth be told, when you are facing whatever it is you need to face, not every person will understand. They may smile, talk behind your back and even reject you as they did with Jesus.
Although Jesus knew this to be so, He didn’t let facing rejection, mockery, suffering and rejection stop Him from going to the cross. As the time became closer for Jesus to be crucified, He said to his disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead” (Luke 9:21)
As the time of crucifixion got even closer Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42). As you see, Jesus didn’t want to face being crucified, but He did for you and I. But while doing so, He had people, such as Judas, change and turn on him.
When you make a decision to face life’s challenges and confront the things you know needs to be faced, don’t be surprised when people begin changing on you as they did with Jesus.
“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats” (1 Peter 3:14).
Expect God to work through you
The Bible never says that everything we face and go through will be good; however it does say that ALL things work out for our good. When you confront the thing God has pricked in your heart to face, expect God to work through you; revealing His glory through you to others around you.
You may not see it right now, but once you confront this thing, at the end of it all you will realize that it was for your good that you needed to confront and face it.
You Can Face It: Final Words
Know that when you face this particular thing in your life, you can expect the devil to bring more temptation your way. Why? Because you’re actually doing something to spiritually grow in Christ.
While you were wavering and unsure on whether or not to face this particular thing, the devil didn’t need to do too much; but now that you’re facing it, expect the devil to tempt you more…but greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.
I don’t know what you need to face, but the Lord used my Bishop yesterday to tell the church that we can face it and now I’m telling you that YOU can face it. Don’t allow the devil to hold you back from spiritual growth in Christ because of your fear to face this particular thing. Cancel fear with faith. Don’t allow the devil to convince you into believing you can’t face it.
If God’s been nudging at your heart to face something, do it. Don’t worry about “this or that”. You may have to make some adjustments, but God will give you the strength and grace to face and confront it.
Prayer for Facing Life’s Challenges
Heavenly Father, I ask in Jesus name that you help my brother/sister face the very thing that you’ve laid on their heart to face. Give them the strength and grace needed to confront, face and deal with the very thing you know needs to be dealt with.
During this time, open their eyes to the schemes of the devil and allow them to overcome every temptation. God I thank you for them. I ask that you allow them to see that they’re not alone, for you have promised to never leave nor forsake them.
I thank you Lord for my brother/sister in Christ. Give them the strength, grace, joy and peace needed to get through this. In Jesus Christ name I pray; Amen.
Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name; Amen.
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God bless! Thank you! I needed these posting, I been walking by faith and it has not been easy on my flesh. The reward for obeying is so worth it! I have to keep trust Him! Some time i was scared stepping out in faith, I had to remained my self He has not failed me! Thanks again
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Praise be to God!
At times, walking after the spirit is not an easy task. Our flesh opposes the very things our spirit needs…but as you said, it’s sooooo rewarding to walk after the spirit and not after the flesh. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Stepping out on faith can be scary, but I am learning that when you take a step out on faith, God will help and assist you with the rest of the way. Every day with God is a faith walk…but thank God for strength, grace and mercy. Thank God for walking and being with us as we step out on faith. Glory be to God =)
Liz, may you be blessed in the name of Jesus
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