Antidote to Trials

www.allsufficientgod.org

I AM the Heavenly Father. James was Divinely inspired to write, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:2-3.) This is a mystery of My kingdom that defies human logic. However, it is very practical for all believers to understand. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12.) Jesus further said, "...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." (John 15:20.) These are hard words to swallow.

Let Me give you an antidote if various trials come your way. An antidote is to draw near to Us in worship. As you draw near to Us, We will draw near to you. (James 4:8.) Paul and Silas exemplified this when they were imprisoned for Our sake. In their time of distress, they prayed, sang, and worshipped Us. We intervened mightily. (Acts 16:16-34.) Whatever prison or trial you are in, draw near to Us, and abandon yourself in worship.


James 1:2-3
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 15:20
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Acts 16:16-34
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.  17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”  18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.  19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;  21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”  22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.  23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.  27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.  28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.  34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.