Seeking God in Times of Trouble
The Holy Spirit can lead you during difficult times. Even if you don't hear God's voice, trust that He is watching over you and will direct your steps. Seek God through prayer and persevere in doing the right thing. In time, you will see God's will unfold in your life.
Some say God is always talking. There is much truth in that, but in my life there were many times when I just couldn't hear a thing. Perhaps you have had the same experience. You pray, listen, and hear nothing. "What's going on?" you ask. There is an interesting thing about our Lord; he likes it when we trust him and do what's right even when we cannot hear a thing. Scripture reveals a great blessing for those that trust in the Lord.
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."(Jeremiah 17:7-10)
A Christian business owner told me about a problem employee needing termination. He was asking the Holy Spirit for direction and heard nothing. The employee was part of his organization for many years and letting her go was a difficult decision for him. Her release might also cause uncomfortable ripples throughout the business.
As time passed, the situation got worse. The employee began challenging the company owner publically. Some forget it is not wise to disrespect the one that writes their paycheck. The seditious behavior escalated the situation. "What did you do?" I asked. The business owner said the easiest thing to do was fire the woman, but she had been with the company for a long time and he wanted to try and help her change. If she refused then he would have no choice but to confront her and let her go.
Unfortunately, his noble efforts failed. The woman did not want to change and the situation waxed worse. The business owner continued to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom in dealing with the problem. Then one day he heard the Lord say, "Trust me." "That's all you heard?" I asked. "That's it," he responded. I was curious, "So what happened next?" "She quit," he answered with a relieved tone in his voice. He continued, "She's gone and things couldn't be better."
I like this man's heart because he was trying to help rescue this woman. How many employers would try to do that today? People get fired for much less. The employer was right. He could have fired her at any time. Instead, as a Christian business owner, he sought God for the proper way to deal with an uncomfortable situation, protect his company, and try to reach a troublesome employee. Scripture says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
You may not be a business owner, but you understand what it's like working with difficult people. In the beginning, this man prayed and heard nothing. The problem escalated, but the Brother did not stop seeking the Lord for an answer. Perseverance in prayer, even when you do not hear anything at first, is something experienced prayer warriors understand. God will show you what to do.
Maybe you have a difficult person in your life right now and need wisdom dealing with the situation. Don't give up. Keep seeking God. Even if you have not heard anything yet, know the Holy Spirit is watching over you. Go to God in prayer, do the right thing, and trust the Lord. Perseverance is key (Hebrews 11:6).
Your partner,
© Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com
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