What is your first response to adversity? Do you run to God or do you look elsewhere for support? A loving father wants his child to solicit his help in times of difficulty thus, our heavenly Father wants His spiritual children to do the same.
“Surely God is my help;the Lord is the one who sustains me.” Psalm 54:4 (NIV)
God is pleased when we depend on His provision. He longs to assist us with His wisdom, strength, and love. Christian saints know a miraculous peace during the most trying of circumstances if they remain constant in their faith, remembering that God is good…. All the time! With a strong Father to protect and guide, trouble quickly diminishes into an obstacle of realistic proportion.
Fear has a way of making circumstances look darker than they really are. Satan gladly jumps on any opportunity to harass the children of God, so a weak faith or a weakened spiritual condition gives him a foot in the door we call torment. God is our eternal hope, but when we are overwhelmed by the sorrows and cares of this world hope can appear to be out of reach. This is a lie since God is both eternal and our hope. Therefore our hope is everlasting.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44 (NKJV)
Since God is omniscient, He is aware of your trouble and knows how best to direct you to higher ground. The Word of God is truly alive, so if you search it with your whole heart…. Very special verses will come to your attention. Thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these scriptures will give you the necessary comfort and instruction you need to help you through your time of trouble.
Trials and storms will whip about us causing great discomfort. These storms in life come from many different directions and originate from places we often never suspect. Don’t let this throw you off your spiritual race or cause confusion in your service to God. Look up to the heavens and imagine God on His throne. Keep your focus on Him and soon the irritating whirlwind will loose its power. God is not a God of confusion. Confusion and chaos live in a spiritual realm the devil likes to use.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 CO 14:33 (NKJV)
It is wonderful having flesh and blood brothers and sisters who support us during troublesome times. The Lord encourages the body of Christ to pray for one another. However, God should always be our main source of help and the first caregiver we call upon when adversity strikes.
DURING YOUR TIME OF QUIET REFLECTION, CONSIDER YOUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND HOW HE IS THE PERFECT HELP AND SHELTER.
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8 (NKJV)
“When I remember You on my bed,I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help,therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You;Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8 (NKJV)
“Help me, Lord my God;Save me according to Your unfailing love.” Psalm 109:26 (NIV)
“Save me, O God!For the waters have come up to my neck.I sink in deep mire,
where there is no standing;I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.I am weary with my crying;My throat is dry;My eyes fail while I wait for my God.”   Psalm 69:1-3
“He does not regard the quantity of faith, but the quality. He does not measure its degree, but its truth. He will not break any bruised reed, nor quench any smoking flax. He will never let it be said that any perished at the foot of the cross.” ~ J.C. Ryle
* This devotion is in my upcoming book, FACING ADVERSITY WITH WISDOM, PRAISE, AND PROMISES. It was inspired by the books of Proverbs and Psalms. Look for it on Amazon this November.  
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cheryl%20zelenka&sprefix=chery%2Caps