Author and devoted Christian, OlayinkaOlusolaAkisanya has faced many trials and tribulations in life but nothing could ever wither or weaken her faith in God and Jesus Christ. Even through the most difficult times, Akisanya understood the purpose of trials and how God had allowed them to unravel for her benefit. Now, Akisanya the truth about trials and tribulations that she learned in her latest book, Surviving the Opposite978-1951630836. In the book, she discusses different verses and parables from the Bible to help readers uncover the true purpose of their trials and struggles. She writes about her struggles as well and how she overcame these trials through faith and love for God and His son, Jesus Christ.
According to the Institute in Basic Life Principles, here is how you should respond to trials and tribulations of life:
· Give thanks.
Sometimes being thankful in a difficult situation is the most difficult thing you can do. Yet, Scripture is very clear about this response: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). To be thankful rather than to complain takes a conscious act of the will and a sacrifice of natural desires. Psalm 107:22 appropriately speaks of this choice in terms of sacrifice: “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”
Thanking God in all things does not mean that we thank God for evil. It means that we are thanking God for the benefits He intends for us when He allows things to happen.
· Rejoice!
Along with giving thanks, we also are instructed to rejoice in all things: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Thanking God is an act of the will, but rejoicing is a response of the spirit. Therefore, it is possible to be sad and joyful at the same time. We cannot escape the pain of a difficult situation, but we can learn to rejoice in God Himself and in the good things God will do through our suffering.
We should try to discern the positive benefits that could come about through the situation. Ask the question, Why did God allow this to happen? Tests and trials give us opportunities to come to know God better and to bring glory to God.
· Believe and act on the Word of God.
When Jesus was tested in the wilderness, He responded to each temptation by quoting Scripture. For example, when Satan urged Christ to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We can follow Jesus’ example and successfully engage in spiritual warfare by proclaiming truth in the face of tests and temptations.
· Cry out to God.
Perhaps the greatest reason God has for taking us through the trials of life is to bring us to the firm conclusion that we need God. What is God’s purpose in giving us commands that seem impossible to carry out? He desires to work powerfully through our lives; therefore we must learn to depend on Him. He alone must become our source of strength, provision, protection, and direction.
God has the ability to protect us from every trial or distress. Instead, He often chooses to deliver us in the midst of trials. In Psalm 50:15 we are told, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” God’s goal through our trials is to strengthen our dependence on Him. We must trust Him to work in the ways and in the time frame that will produce the best in our lives and the most glory for His name. As we call to the Lord in our distress, He will deliver us.
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