TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS by Debby Tryon

It’s a blessing sharing with you once again. A song writer says "Blessed be the Lord through my trials and all my struggles".

There is a thin line between our TRIALS and our TRIUMPHS and that is DECISION. You can either "decide" to give in after you must have struggled to the best of your ability or you "decide" to bring in the one who has overcome the greatest trials of life "Jesus Christ". Interestingly He is willing to help us overcome all of our trials, which are heavy burdens and give us triumphs (Matthew 11:28).

At the temptation of Christ, He was placed at a place of “deciding" to give in to the devil’s promises, but he chose to rebuke Him and that gave Him victory. (Matthew 4:1-10). We have to "choose" to defeat our trials, and this can happen only through the Word of God and in the place of Prayer. We equally have to remember that most of the times trials are a stepping stone to breakthroughs, other times they are deliberate; permit me to also say trials are a necessity to growing spiritually as it helps you exercise spiritual authority.

What do we do to Turn Trials to Triumphs??

• When faced with trials and you are at the verge of giving up, remember your past victories, it seemed you would not make it, but you actually did. That is a boost to overcome. It will also help to keep a "Book of Victories"; write down previous triumphs and when faced with new ones, go over them to gain confidence.
• When faced with trials, do not center on them. Put your mind and focus on Him who has the power to help you overcome.
• When you are faced with trials, Bless and Praise the Lord. Let His good works be spoken of by you, portray the attitude of Triumph, (Psalm 29:11, Psalm 34:1).  That way attention is shifted from trying issues to victory.
• When faced with trials pray to God, rather than talking to people who may never understand and can only give human help. Pray to God to help you grow from it, pray He helps you and leads you to the write people that will help you overcome, pray He enables you put on the best attitude through it all.
• When faced with trials, never doubt God. He is always there, He leads you, (Psalm 23, Hebrews 13:5).

• When faced with trials avoid listening to counsel from unbelievers, they are likely to talk from a perspective that spurs you to give up. Trust the word of God.
•  When faced with trials, study the account of youths like us in the Bible, study scriptures that helps you overcome temptations, (2^nd Peter 2:9, 1^st Corinthians 10:13).Our trials are mostly disciplines to stay clear sin (lying, stealing, cheating, pornography, masturbation, deceit, fornication) and other small challenges that taint our garment.
• When faced with trials remember how strong you are in Christ, remind the devil that he has lost, that he has been made an open shame, remind him of the name Jesus, remind him that you operate from a stand point of Victory (Jesus Christ), remind him you have power and you are safe under Gods wings. Finally remind him he has been defeated thousand of years back, and in the words of Jesus tell him, "Get behind me Satan!"

See you at the top!

BY DEBORAH TRYON

KTF!