As we travel the Road of Life on our way to our final destination, we’re going to have many distractions, challenges, roadblocks, and temptations but Jesus has given us some valuable information, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). We’re going to have trouble because we live in a fallen world, but Jesus has taken care of that for us. However, He’s not going to do it all for us. He has given us some powerful things to use whenever we run into trouble on the Path. I was reminded of this recently.

One of those “troubles” confronted me and I prayed, “Lord, give me the strength to resist.” Immediately I heard that still, small Voice in my mind which said, “I’ve given you muscles, but you have to exercise and use them in order for them to be effective.” “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8). Yes, we have to use and exercise our muscles for them to be more useful in our lives. Godliness or Christlikeness is something we have but we have to use it, exercise it in order for it to grow and be effective against trouble.

And then, some other examples began coming to me. “I’ve given you a seed…plant it.” “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, …Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20). We have been given the faith of a mustard seed but, just like any seed, if you don’t plant it, it won’t grow and produce. Use and exercise your faith so it will grow in times of trouble.

“I’ve given you a plan…follow it, I’ve given you instructions…read them.” God knows the plans He has for us, (Jeremiah 29:11), which are great plans and He’s given us instructions on how to fulfill those plans but the plan and the instructions are contained in His Word, the Bible. We can’t follow His plan and know how to be successful with it if we aren’t reading and studying His Word. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). That is the key, seek God first, follow Him and the plan will work.

Now sometimes, as we follow God’s plan, well, always, the devil is going to be there to “steal, kill and destroy” the plan, (John 10:10). But, again, God has made preparations for this too. He’s given us weapons to use and the authority, backed by Heaven, to use them. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (2 Corinthians 10:4). The armor of God has a mighty weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Ephesians 6:17). We’ve got to know the Word of God to use it. Another weapon is our praise. Jehoshaphat followed God’s battle plan, “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.(2Chronicles 20:22). Sing and praise God in the midst of your trouble. And if the devil says, “Who do you think you are?”, you can declare, “I’ve been given the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and all your power and nothing you can do will harm me!”, (Luke 10:19). “And, whatever I bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19). “So, get out of my way!” “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).

And finally, God says to me, “I give you the assurance that all these things I’ve told you are true…believe them!” “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). This is a Word for any of you who are encountering distractions, challenges, roadblocks, and temptations in your lives. God has given us the plan…just do it!