How to handle tough times

Life has so many mountain top moments! A few weeks back, after wrapping up the BK Preacher Conference I took part in and helped teach in Brooklyn, one of the preachers Caleb Churchill mentioned to the members and visitors to be careful after these kinds of moments.  

The weekend was filled with worshipping God in song, prayer, and preaching! Caleb mentioned Elijah and how he had a mountain top moment in 1 Kings 18, only to walk in a valley in 1 Kings 19. The same kind of highs and lows can happen to us.

Sometimes, it’s easy to think life will always be a certain way, only to be disappointed when suffering (in whatever form) hits us. When we find ourselves in some difficult moments in life, there are some important habits and ways to handle these valley moments.

1.        Be careful who you listen to. When the Assyrians were looking to intimidate God’s people in the days of Hezekiah, God’s people were reminded who they were to listen to. “But they were silent and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, ‘Do not answer him.’” Isaiah the prophet would later say to Hezekiah regarding the threats that were given, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me…” Isaiah 36:21, 37:6. The Assyrians had no concern, reverence, or respect for the true and living God. So, it is with many in the world. When difficult times comes, be even more careful who you choose to listen to. Maybe put yourself on a social media diet, turn off the podcasts, and turn on the Bible reading app! Most of the voices today are not shouting the truth of God’s word, but of their own opinions. Be wise who you listen to! 

2.        Talk to the God of heaven. Just as it should be obvious in our regular schedule to put first things first, we often neglect the most important tasks. We allow the busyness of the world to get in the way of the Good Part, the things that matter the most. The same can often be said about prayer. Don’t put prayer at the end of your schedule. Make it a priority every day. Jesus did, Mark 1:34-35. Daniel did, Daniel 6:10 as it says, “…He continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously…” We’re told to cast our fears to God because He cares for us, 1 Peter 5:8. Our Creator provide us with peace beyond comprehension: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

3.        See all fears as a door of faith. It’s important to leave on our spiritual glasses and to see the difficult times that are coming upon as for what they are: An opportunity to grow and trust even more in God. Remember what the apostle said in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 “For we do want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us…” In verse 11, Paul reminded the brethren how they had helped him through their prayers! They were talking to the God of heaven making petition for Paul. Remember the words of James: “Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  When tough times come, see all of the fear you may be experiencing as a door of faith. Walk through that door with a determination to kneel before God in prayer, and with a mind to listen to Him.