Trials and discouragement

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>   |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><U><B>Up Level</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id294.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be A Kingdom of Priests"><U>Called to be "A Kingdom of Priests"</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id293.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of decep"><U>The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of deception</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A rare find"><U>A rare find</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id289.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Focus on God"><U>Focus on God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Nation must Honor God"><U>A Nation must Honor God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id286.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Faith?"><U>What is Faith?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Abrahams family"><U>Abraham's family</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Women of the Bible"><U>Women of the Bible</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id279.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How important are Gods Holy days to you?"><U>How important are God's Holy days to you??</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I am the resurrection and the live"><U>I am the resurrection and the live</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man made traditions have infirtrated God"><U>Man made traditions have infirtrated God's church</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to cope with todays realities"><U>How to cope with today's realities</U></A>   |   Trials and discouragement   |   <A HREF="id256.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love and defend Gods truth"><U>Love and defend God's truth</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id248.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear"><U>Fear</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id251.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Differing Opinions"><U>Differing Opinions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id250.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you a Profitable Servant?"><U>Are you a Profitable Servant?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id249.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id247.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God"><U>Listen to God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id246.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy"><U>Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id244.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MANS TRADITIONS VS. CHRISTS TEACHINGS"><U>MAN'S TRADITIONS VS. 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His Silent Gospel!"><U>God's Creation ... His Silent Gospel!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who or What is Elijah?"><U>Who or What is Elijah?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who are the Three Beasts of Daniel 7?"><U>Who are the Three Beasts of Daniel 7?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Watching the Signs! ... News"><U>Watching the Signs! ... News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Anointing All with Oil?"><U>Anointing "All" with Oil?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Where is Your Faith? In God, or in the O"><U>Where is Your Faith? In God, or in the Oil?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tradition or Gods Word?"><U>Tradition or God's Word?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What was the Korah Thinking?"><U>What was the Korah Thinking?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are You a Blue Angel?"><U>Are You a Blue Angel?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover: Beginning or End of Fourteenth"><U>Passover: Beginning or End of Fourteenth</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover or Lamb?"><U>Passover or Lamb?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scriptural Definition of Apostasy"><U>Scriptural Definition of "Apostasy"</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="True Conjunction vesus Molad"><U>True Conjunction vesus Molad</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Hebrew Language"><U>The Hebrew Language</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Brief History of Judaism"><U>A Brief History of Judaism</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Judaism is not the Religion of the Old T"><U>Judaism is not the Religion of the Old Testament</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let it be seen"><U>Let it be seen</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whos Command?"><U>Who's Command?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is the Abomination that Causes Deso"><U>What is the Abomination that Causes Desolation?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are You Begotten? Born Again? Confused?"><U>Are You Begotten? Born Again? Confused?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Calculate Time fro Jerusalem?"><U>Why Calculate Time fro Jerusalem?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are we pure in Heart?"><U>Are we pure in Heart?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id138.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dark Moon"><U>Dark Moon</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Prophet Jonah"><U>The Prophet Jonah</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two can be One"><U>Two can be One</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishers! Hunters! Watchers!"><U>Fishers! Hunters! Watchers!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id145.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="True Conversion"><U>True Conversion</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Petra!"><U>Petra!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear, The Pit and a Snare"><U>Fear, The Pit and a Snare</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id148.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Five Foolish Virgins"><U>Five Foolish Virgins</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id149.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="One Hour"><U>One Hour</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id150.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7Steps to DisasterLessons from the Titan"><U>7-Steps to Disaster-Lessons from the Titanic</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id151.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Appointed Curriculum for Mankind"><U>God's Appointed "Curriculum" for Mankind</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Army of Chosen"><U>An Army of Chosen</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kingdom of Priests"><U>Kingdom of Priests</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jewish Roots?"><U>Jewish Roots?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id155.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Galatians CoverUp Part Series"><U>Galatians "Cover-Up" Part Series</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id160.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What does it mean to be sealed?"><U>What does it mean to be sealed?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id161.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Awesome Power"><U>God's Awesome Power</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id162.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Divine Laws Part 1"><U>God's Divine Laws - Part 1</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id163.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will God Bind Error?"><U>Will God Bind Error?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id164.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Divine Laws Part 2"><U>God's Divine Laws - Part 2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id165.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17th Restored Truth Fact or Fiction?"><U>17th Restored Truth - Fact or Fiction?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Just what do you mean ... the MEAN?"><U>Just what do you mean ... the MEAN?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id167.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harmony in Gods Creation"><U>Harmony in God's Creation</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id168.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sign of the True Church! "><U>Sign of the True Church! </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Temples of God"><U>Temples of God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Way of Life"><U>The Way  of Life</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id182.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why we must fast?"><U>Why we must fast?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id183.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ"><U>Jesus Christ</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id189.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Exploring the two Churches of Revelation"><U>Exploring the "two Churches" of Revelation 12</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resisting Gods Authority!"><U>Resisting God's Authority!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id194.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Building a Dream of the Kingdom of God"><U>Building a Dream of the Kingdom of God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id196.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blistering Warning"><U>Blistering Warning</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id197.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Three aspects of the gospel"><U>Three aspects of the gospel</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id200.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Elijahs voice message!"><U>Elijah's voice message!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id205.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to Probe and Test"><U>Time to Probe and Test</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id206.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Write it in a Book"><U>Write it in a Book</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id208.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The first shall be last, the last shall "><U>The first shall be last, the last shall be first</U></A></div> <div>    |   <A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep the Sabbath Holy"><U>Keep the Sabbath Holy</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id224.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lagging Behind"><U>Lagging Behind</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id229.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gratitude Toward God"><U>Gratitude Toward God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id233.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?"><U>What is Truth?</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Church of God, In Truth</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id294.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be A Kingdom of Priests"><U>Called to be "A Kingdom of Priests"</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id293.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of decep"><U>The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of deception</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A rare find"><U>A rare find</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id289.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Focus on God"><U>Focus on God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Nation must Honor God"><U>A Nation must Honor God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id286.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Faith?"><U>What is Faith?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Abrahams family"><U>Abraham's family</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Women of the Bible"><U>Women of the Bible</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id279.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How important are Gods Holy days to you?"><U>How important are God's Holy days to you??</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I am the resurrection and the live"><U>I am the resurrection and the live</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man made traditions have infirtrated God"><U>Man made traditions have infirtrated God's church</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to cope with todays realities"><U>How to cope with today's realities</U></A></div> <div> <B>Trials and discouragement</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id256.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love and defend Gods truth"><U>Love and defend God's truth</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id248.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear"><U>Fear</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id251.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Differing Opinions"><U>Differing Opinions</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id250.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you a Profitable Servant?"><U>Are you a Profitable Servant?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id249.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id247.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God"><U>Listen to God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id246.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy"><U>Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id244.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MANS TRADITIONS VS. CHRISTS TEACHINGS"><U>MAN'S TRADITIONS VS. CHRIST'S TEACHINGS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id241.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Following the footprints of Christ"><U>Following the footprints of Christ</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id240.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Angels?"><U>Angels?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Alabaster Box"><U>The Alabaster Box</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id218.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="War and Peace"><U>War and Peace</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id217.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual winers AND spritual losers"><U>Spiritual winers AND spritual losers</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Americas Lawless Spirit"><U>America's Lawless Spirit</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Snare"><U>Satan's Snare</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id176.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life Comes From:"><U>Life Comes From:</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id174.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Examine for Passover"><U>Examine for Passover</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Wave Sheaf, And the Importance of Su"><U>The Wave Sheaf, And the Importance of Sunday</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Points To Ponder!"><U>Points To Ponder!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Price Unity?"><U>What Price Unity?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Moon New Month!"><U>New Moon - New Month!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Creation ... His Silent Gospel!"><U>God's Creation ... His Silent Gospel!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who or What is Elijah?"><U>Who or What is Elijah?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who are the Three Beasts of Daniel 7?"><U>Who are the Three Beasts of Daniel 7?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Watching the Signs! ... News"><U>Watching the Signs! ... News</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Anointing All with Oil?"><U>Anointing "All" with Oil?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Where is Your Faith? In God, or in the O"><U>Where is Your Faith? In God, or in the Oil?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tradition or Gods Word?"><U>Tradition or God's Word?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What was the Korah Thinking?"><U>What was the Korah Thinking?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are You a Blue Angel?"><U>Are You a Blue Angel?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover: Beginning or End of Fourteenth"><U>Passover: Beginning or End of Fourteenth</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover or Lamb?"><U>Passover or Lamb?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scriptural Definition of Apostasy"><U>Scriptural Definition of "Apostasy"</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="True Conjunction vesus Molad"><U>True Conjunction vesus Molad</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Hebrew Language"><U>The Hebrew Language</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Brief History of Judaism"><U>A Brief History of Judaism</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Judaism is not the Religion of the Old T"><U>Judaism is not the Religion of the Old Testament</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let it be seen"><U>Let it be seen</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whos Command?"><U>Who's Command?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is the Abomination that Causes Deso"><U>What is the Abomination that Causes Desolation?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are You Begotten? Born Again? Confused?"><U>Are You Begotten? Born Again? Confused?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Calculate Time fro Jerusalem?"><U>Why Calculate Time fro Jerusalem?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are we pure in Heart?"><U>Are we pure in Heart?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id138.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dark Moon"><U>Dark Moon</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Prophet Jonah"><U>The Prophet Jonah</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two can be One"><U>Two can be One</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishers! Hunters! Watchers!"><U>Fishers! Hunters! Watchers!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id145.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="True Conversion"><U>True Conversion</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Petra!"><U>Petra!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear, The Pit and a Snare"><U>Fear, The Pit and a Snare</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id148.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Five Foolish Virgins"><U>Five Foolish Virgins</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id149.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="One Hour"><U>One Hour</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id150.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7Steps to DisasterLessons from the Titan"><U>7-Steps to Disaster-Lessons from the Titanic</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id151.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Appointed Curriculum for Mankind"><U>God's Appointed "Curriculum" for Mankind</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Army of Chosen"><U>An Army of Chosen</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kingdom of Priests"><U>Kingdom of Priests</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jewish Roots?"><U>Jewish Roots?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id155.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Galatians CoverUp Part Series"><U>Galatians "Cover-Up" Part Series</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id160.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What does it mean to be sealed?"><U>What does it mean to be sealed?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id161.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Awesome Power"><U>God's Awesome Power</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id162.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Divine Laws Part 1"><U>God's Divine Laws - Part 1</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id163.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will God Bind Error?"><U>Will God Bind Error?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id164.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Divine Laws Part 2"><U>God's Divine Laws - Part 2</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id165.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17th Restored Truth Fact or Fiction?"><U>17th Restored Truth - Fact or Fiction?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Just what do you mean ... the MEAN?"><U>Just what do you mean ... the MEAN?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id167.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harmony in Gods Creation"><U>Harmony in God's Creation</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id168.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sign of the True Church! "><U>Sign of the True Church! </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Temples of God"><U>Temples of God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Way of Life"><U>The Way  of Life</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id182.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why we must fast?"><U>Why we must fast?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id183.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ"><U>Jesus Christ</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id189.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Exploring the two Churches of Revelation"><U>Exploring the "two Churches" of Revelation 12</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resisting Gods Authority!"><U>Resisting God's Authority!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id194.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Building a Dream of the Kingdom of God"><U>Building a Dream of the Kingdom of God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id196.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blistering Warning"><U>Blistering Warning</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id197.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Three aspects of the gospel"><U>Three aspects of the gospel</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id200.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Elijahs voice message!"><U>Elijah's voice message!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id205.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to Probe and Test"><U>Time to Probe and Test</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id206.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Write it in a Book"><U>Write it in a Book</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id208.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The first shall be last, the last shall "><U>The first shall be last, the last shall be first</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep the Sabbath Holy"><U>Keep the Sabbath Holy</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id224.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lagging Behind"><U>Lagging Behind</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id229.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gratitude Toward God"><U>Gratitude Toward God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id233.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?"><U>What is Truth?</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Trials and discouragement</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Trials and Discouragement<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT></div> <div> Do you ever get discouraged - even depressed? Depression is not an easy subject to talk about, yet it affects virtually everyone of us at one time or another. A recent survey showed that almost 50 percent of the men and 60 percent of the women interviewed admitted to feeling depressed during the past year. Some specialists feel that more than 80 percent of Americans are experiencing differing degrees of depression at any given time. So it would seem that depression is also quite common - even among God's people. So, how do you deal with it when it enters your life? </div> <div> Depression can range from occasional bouts of moodiness and discouragement to continued and extended periods of chronic despair. Some may experience it occasionally - to others it may be a way of life! </div> <div> Perhaps you're battling a sore trial right now. Nothing seems to be going right. You might ask, "Why me?" "As a Christian, why am I fighting this problem?" "This kind of thing is supposed to happen to 'all those other people,' not me - one of God's called!" Maybe in some of your darkest moments, you cry out, "Oh, God, why don't you do something?" Almost every Christian will face a sore trial in their life sooner or later. For some, it is a health problem. For others, it could be an economic or marital problem. Still others are fighting a lifelong battle with drug addiction, alcoholism, smoking, emotional depression or other character weaknesses. Maybe your greatest trial is the lack of career advancement - or just not having a decent job that pays the bills each month. Or, it could be a combination of those things mentioned, or some not mentioned. But for most of us; we have some form of "cross to bear," or trial in our lives. One common question usually surfaces during a personal spiritual struggle: "What did I do to deserve all this?" That question is usually followed by: "No one cares. Even God doesn't seem to notice anymore." When we voice these thoughts during a sore trial, we are experiencing doubts and questions that all of God's servants down through history have endured at one time or another. Our tribulations are not unique, isolated cases. The Apostle Peter states, "Resist him (speaking of Satan), standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Pet. 5:9). </div> <div> We are not the only person who has grappled with depression because of adverse life circumstances. The Bible is replete with examples of servants of God who, in the face of intense trials, got discouraged - even depressed. Their situations got them thinking negatively. And believe it or not, some were even tempted to give up. </div> <div> We are all familiar with the story of Job. Job felt that his trial was just too much to bear. He was despondent to the point of wanting to die. "Then Job answered and said: 'Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea - therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me'" (Job 6:1-4). "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for! That it would please God to crush me, that He would loose His hand and cut me off! Then I would still have comfort; though in anguish, I would exult, He will not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One" (Vs.8-10). </div> <div> Moses, to whom God personally gave the Ten Commandments, was dejected enough at one point that he asked God to kill him. "So Moses said to the LORD, 'Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep allover me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now--if I have found favor in Your sight--and do not let me see my wretchedness!" (Num. 11-15). </div> <div> Another great man of God, Elijah, also became despondent - even after God had just used him to work a mighty miracle with the prophets of Baal; yet he too, was subject to depression. "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, 'It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!'" (1 Kings 19:4). </div> <div> The way to the Kingdom of God is strewn with hardships and obstacles. The Apostle Paul, stated in Acts 14:22, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." King David echoed that in Psa.34: 19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." </div> <div> Let's look at a few more of God's loyal, obedient servants that have suffered personal crises and hard trials in their service to God. Because he was preaching an unpopular message about the coming captivity of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, Jeremiah was cast into an old cistern filled with mud and left there to die. </div> <div> One of the psalmist declared, "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed" (Psa.77:2-3). "Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?" (Vs. 7-9). </div> <div> King David wrote numerous psalms in which he petitioned God to deliver him from some trial or enemy. For the most part, they were just recorded prayers made by David. There are many examples we could look at, but Psalm 6 is as good an example as any: "LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, a LORD, for I am weak; a LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, a LORD-- how long? Return, a LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake! For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies" (Psa. 6: 1-7). This was a man in sore trial! </div> <div> Even John the Baptist began to exhibit some doubt when in prison: [and please notice, he was in prison, awaiting his beheading!], "And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'" (Luke 7:19). </div> <div> And the Apostle Paul, in 2 Cor. 1:8, told the Church at Corinth, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life." Yes, some of God's greatest servants became impatient or discouraged while enduring difficult trials. Believe it or not, some temporarily lost faith and began questioning their heavenly Father's love and purpose. How about you? How do you cope with trials and perhaps the resulting depression or discouragement that can accompany a sore trial? </div> <div> Although these people we just looked at had their trials, they found the strength to fight and win their battles with depression. We, too, must learn to thwart discouraging and depressing thoughts. And to conquer depressing and discouraging thoughts, we must first recognize the cause of such thoughts. We need to realize that negative thoughts ultimately originate with Satan. </div> <div> Satan can capitalize on the difficult circumstances that happen in our lives. Perhaps you or a family member may be sick, or you may be experiencing intense pressure on the job, or may even be out of a job. Or, you may be wrestling with some other severe trial in your life. The devil can take advantage of these circumstances and use trials and negative attitudes to generate feelings of dejection and despair. </div> <div> Satan, as it states in Eph. 2:2, is the "prince of the power of the air." He constantly broadcasts negative feelings and moods into our minds and the minds of every living being on this earth. He obviously inspires the entertainment industry - whether movies, TV, sports, and especially some of the vile and violent video games we have today. Then there is crime, violence, wars, natural disasters, broken families - the list goes on and on. Satan has his hand in it all. And don't forget the more subtle ways Satan affects us. For example, you might start thinking about all the things you don't have but would like to have, but which you lack the money for - and to be honest, probably will never have the money for. Or that your personality is not as outgoing, or your health is not as vigorous as that of some of your friends. Or that you've never found that perfect mate, or maybe you have just lost your mate and you get lonely sometimes. </div> <div> Matters like these can begin to fill your mind. Before too long you can become depressed without even knowing why. One way to protect ourselves from this kind of attack is to be constantly on guard against depressing thoughts. And when they do start to take root in our conscious thoughts, we need to seek the counteracting help of God, because it is God who will help us control them, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." We have to trust God to help us in times of discouragement. This involves drawing on the power of God's Holy Spirit - the mind, attitude and nature of God Himself. </div> <div> There are 7 points we can use in overcoming the negative moods and depression that sometimes results from the trials that God allow-s to afflict His people. </div> <div> First though, why does Almighty God leave us in some major trials for a long time? Let's face it, God wants to know, frankly, if we are just a flash-in-the-pan Christian. He has to absolutely know - for sure, without any doubt, that we, after being given eternal life, won't turn into another Satan. How does He do that? Through trials and testing! </div> <div> We are all familiar with the Parable of the Sower in which the seeds of the word are scattered on the various types of ground. Where do we fit? After our initial actions of receiving God's truth, repenting of sin and being baptized, did we continue obeying God faithfully? Or, "When tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word," do we become offended and stumble? (Matt. 13:21). </div> <div> God is investing a great deal of time, energy and love in training us for high positions as kings and priests in His coming Kingdom. He needs to know if we will be loyal to Him through the good times and the bad times - or, in other words, if the seed has fallen on "good ground." </div> <div> God's method of proving His people is not new. Let's see what He did to Israel: "The Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" (Deut. 8:2). </div> <div> In Hebrews 12, God tells us plainly that He chastises us out of love and for our own good. After all, He is the perfect parent! These tests or trials from our Heavenly Father help develop holy character in us (Heb. 12:5-10). God tells us through the Apostle Paul, that this sometimes painful chastening "yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Vs. 11). Paul also tells us in this same book of Hebrews, that we must have perseverance or endurance in the face of trials. "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God [or, after we continued faithful to Him through thick and thin], you may receive the promise" (Heb. 10:35-36). </div> <div> Sometimes a major trial overtakes us years after our initial conversion - even after we have sincerely repented of past sins and regularly examined our Christian conduct. Why? I can't second guess the mind of God, but more than likely, it's to correct us, set us back on the right path and/or develop solid, godly character in us. It could even be because of a hidden flaw we don't even know we have. </div> <div> We are all familiar with the patriarch Job. Even God stated in Job 1:8, that Job was" A blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil." Yet this "upright" man lost his wealth, livestock, his sons and his servants all in one day. And shortly thereafter, Job lost his health and peace of mind when Satan was allowed to strike him with boils allover his body. </div> <div> Why would God purposefully allow this terrible affliction to be placed on Job - not just one or two boils, but from the soles of his feet to the top of his head?! Was it because Job was a rotten sinner who refused to repent? No, Job acknowledged his sins - at least the sins that he saw within himself. However, God saw within Job a secret sin - the fault of self-righteousness - a sin that needed to be rooted out and destroyed. If you wanted to know if Job was righteous; all you had to do was ask him! "I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me" (Job 33:9). Even the three so-called "friends" of Job could see the problem. "So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes" (Job 32:1). </div> <div> Job wasn't aware of his great spiritual weakness. So God allowed this severe trial to teach Job that his self- righteousness blocked his further spiritual development, understanding and appreciation of God and His glory. Sometimes God allows these sore trials in our lives because we need to see ourselves as we really are and realize it's time to "press on to perfection." as it states in Heb. 6: 1. </div> <div> But notice that Job didn't give up. He continued to show honor to and trust God, despite his wife's wonderful advice to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). God eventually got through to Job! God spoke to the heart of the matter, identifying Job's spiritual problem and offering a solution. And when Job repented of his hidden sin, God immediately forgave him and blessed him abundantly. </div> <div> You know, sometimes God requires us to serve faithfully in somewhat trying circumstances, in order to teach others about God's existence and authority. Do you remember Daniel's sore trial? Daniel disobeyed a royal order that prohibited him from praying to the true God. As a result, Daniel was sentenced to be thrown into a den of lions and be eaten alive. Evidently, Almighty God thought Daniel had the faith and courage to survive this horrible experience (or maybe He just wanted to find out!) As bad as the situation appeared initially, God performed a miracle by sending an angel to shut the mouths of the lions so Daniel wouldn't be injured (Dan. 6:10-23). If you read the full account, you can readily see what a powerful witness this turned out to be - as did the incident with Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and the famous fiery furnace (Dan. 3). </div> <div> God doesn't change. He is always in charge and knowledgeable of what is happening in your life. "No temptation [or trial] has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [or tria] will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). </div> <div> Severe trials teach us to look to God, to develop the habit of waiting for God's answer. Sometimes we must patiently trust God until He sends help in these situations. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov.3:5-6). In vs. 11-12 of this same proverb, is where Heb. 12:5-6 is quoted from about "not despising the chastening of God." </div> <div> The Apostle Paul tells us that we should glory in tribulation! Why would he say such a thing? "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Rom. 5: 1-4). And as we just saw in I Cor. 10:13, God promises to supply the assistance we need to endure any hardship; therefore we can rejoice - we can "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials as it says in James 1 :2. </div> <div> There is one more individual we ought to look at before we move on. Maybe you lost your job, your family, your wealth or your friends because of persecution. If so, you know how Joseph felt! In one fell swoop, poor Joseph lost everything - job, wealth and reputation - because of a false accusation by his employer's wife. He was unjustly imprisoned for two years and completely isolated from his family, yet Joseph never gave up hope or belief in God. Joseph finally regained his freedom, family, wealth and a job - Prime Minister of Egypt in fact! God greatly rewarded Joseph's faithfulness and used him in a powerful way. </div> <div> Well, let's get to the crux of the matter - the hard part - the part when we do get down and depressed, maybe overwhelmed by our trials. Let's face it, let's be honest: We usually get depressed because we are far from God! It's easy for negative moods to overtake us when God is not the center of our lives. As we saw earlier, Satan can easily take advantage of these moods and influence us to sink into even deeper despair. The solution, of course, is to continually walk with God, particularly at times when we feel a mood of depression or discouragement coming on. The nearer we are to God, the more we develop the sound mind of God, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1 :7). </div> <div> So how can we 'walk with God'? Here are seven points that will help us to stay close to God and conquer depression and discouragement: </div> <div> 1.) Pray every day. Prayer is crucial. It is our personal contact with God each day. Without it our attitudes are easily battered by the world around us. We can overcome the world and its moods, by using the stabilizing and strengthening tool of prayer every day. In the words of our Savior, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). During periods of depression there is a tendency to feel cut off from God or completely alone. But we can, and ought to, seek God's help anytime. It tells us in 1 Thess. 5: 17, to "pray without ceasing." Never cut yourself off from God by neglecting prayer! </div> <div> 2.) Realize God's presence. God is omnipresent and continually aware of what is happening in our lives. There is a Psalm rendered into a song in the hymnal many of us in God's Church still use - and in my opinion, one of the most beautiful there. It's Psalm 139, "0 LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you" (Psa. 139: 1-3, 7-12). There is no place we can hide from God and nothing takes place of which God is not aware. </div> <div> 3.) Respond to the Holy Spirit's lead. David was a man after God's own heart. He sought God swiftly when situations in his life began to overwhelm him. David "made haste and did not delay to keep God's commandments" (Psa. 119:60). If we are being led by God's Spirit, we will be moved to seek Him. The more effectively we can develop the habit of responding immediately to the direction of God's Spirit, the more quickly our minds will take on God's thoughts, replacing thoughts of discouragement and despair. </div> <div> 4.) Study the Bible daily. The Bible contains many encouraging and inspiring passages - some of which we have looked at in this article. It includes examples of faith of people who faced virtually insurmountable odds and yet overcame. The Bible shows us the greatness of God and the vastness of the plan He has designed for the whole creation. The more we read this book, the more we take on the mind of God. This is why daily Bible study is essential. We need to make the Bible the basis of our behavior and the basis of sound-minded and uplifting thoughts. </div> <div> 5.) Live the give way. Depression many times begins when we start to focus on ourselves. Thoughts of our own problems, fears and worries begin to fill our minds instead of the thoughts of God. Pretty soon we lose perspective and our own little world starts to overwhelm us. We get on our "pity potty," as some call it. An excellent way to overcome feeling sorry for ourselves is by living the give way of life. Look for ways to help others, but especially at times when we seem to be developing an unhealthy preoccupation with ourselves. Maybe it is a matter of visiting someone who is sick or cheering up someone who is feeling down. Write a letter of encouragement, seek to help someone else - serve. Try to bring some happiness to someone else. It's very difficult to feel discouraged when you focus on the needs of others. The key is to get your mind off yourself. </div> <div> 6.) Make each day count. Redeem the time - make the most of every opportunity. Every day is a chance to grow, serve, produce and even support the work of God. God is judging our thoughts and actions on a daily basis. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). Every day you have a chance to make a difference, whether it be on the job, at home, with your family, with your friends or elsewhere. There is much you can do within your own individual sphere of influence, but you must look and make the effort. </div> <div> 7.) Hold on to God no matter what. The Christian life is not an easy one. Everyone whom God calls can expect difficulties. The Apostle Paul tells us that, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). At times these difficulties and problems can get the better of us. When this happens, we must, in spite of how bad things may seem, hold on to God and not let go. In spite of his many hardships, the Apostle Paul relied on God and did not allow himself to get depressed. In relating his many adventures and hardships, he told the Corinthians in 2 Cor. 4: 8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8-9). You can read the rest of his inspiring statement in Vs. 14-18. </div> <div> Paul certainly had many reasons to get discouraged. I know of no one who was persecuted more, beaten more, despised more than Paul. His letters and the book of Acts record many unpleasant predicaments in which he found himself, yet he did not let circumstances dishearten him! (Philip. 4:11-13). </div> <div> Paul was realistic. He stated plainly that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution," yet he also had the faith to believe that God would "deliver me out of them all" (2 Tim. 3: 11-12). </div> <div> Let's go back to those faithful servants of God that we looked at earlier. The Bible indicates that all of God's true servants - those who qualified for God's Kingdom - ultimately endured, obediently and faithfully, their sometimes horrendous hardships and terrible trials. Did they have some secret knowledge that we don't? How did these faithful men and women of God overcome their trials and discouragement? </div> <div> Well, in addition to the other points we just listed, they accepted sore trials as part of their calling. They understood that becoming perfect in obedience to God requires a certain degree of suffering. As we just saw in 2 Timothy, in this world, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." It says over in Heb. 5:8 that even Jesus Christ "learned obedience by the things which He suffered." </div> <div> The faithful servants of God also whole heartedly believed God is always in control. Christ stated in Matt. 28: 18 that "all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." God is aware of even the smallest happening on this earth (Matt. 6:25-34, Luke 12:7). </div> <div> The faithful servants of God lived by faith. Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, and many others never wavered in their trust in God. We must follow the example of the faithful men and women of the Bible and never give up the way of life that God has called us to, because of sore trials. No matter what we encounter in this life, God is there and involved. He is working out a grand purpose on this earth and we are destined to be part of it! Even if we walk through our own "valley of the shadow of death," we can have faith that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called, according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). </div> <div> We belong to a select group of people - God's begotten children. No one can pluck us out of our Father's hand. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and 1 know them, and they follow Me. And 1 give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:27-29). </div> <div> We can have confidence "that God will finish the work He has begun in us" (Philip. 1:6). And perhaps most important of all, we can have absolute faith that God will always be there for us. "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Heb. 13:5-6). </div> <div> Brethren, let's endure to the end. </div> <div>                                                                              Pete Fleming </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>