When Distress and Trouble Overwhelm You

1. God's promise of protection: "I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me." -- Psalm 69:29

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." -- Psalm 32:7

Psalm 69:29 shows David lamenting in sorrow and anguish. He is literally laid low, and full of pain or grief. But he is certain that even though his oppression has laid him low, God’s salvation will make him high again. He knows that the Lord extends complete protection of his people, both body and soul. God is faithful and all his promises are reliable. No matter how many promises God has made, they are all "Yes" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Psalm 32:7 alludes to the city of refuge. David knows that the avenger of blood will not be able to overtake him. Even when being encompassed within an impregnable wall, God will encompass him with songs of deliverance. David, therefore, knows that he is completely safe.

Be confident and stand firm on the promise that God will protect you from trouble and surround you with songs of deliverance.

2. Finding strength at our weakest

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -- 2 Corinthians 12:10

In the face of insults and all forms of hardships, the Apostle Paul endured them patiently. In fact, he is pleased when they occur for it is all for the sake of Christ. Paul accepted all suffering because they are on account of his Lord. When he is most oppressed by trials and afflictions, he gains strength and determination. God is supporting his mind with his most powerful influences, causing him to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. In the distress inflicted at various times by his ailment, God promised that Paul would never lack sufficient grace to overcome it.

The grace of Christ finds its full scope and strength only in human weakness--- the greater the Christian's acknowledged weakness, the more evident Christ's enabling strength.

Rely on God and let him handle the Deceiver. Read the word of God. Pray continually for help, strength, wisdom, understanding, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Tell Jesus every problem you may have for he is the best friend you can ever find. He hears your every groan and whisper for deliverance.

3. The Comforter is with you

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -- John 14:16-18

Christ is assuring us that with the atonement for the sin of the world, he has become the Mediator between God and man and the blessings of grace and glory will be acquired.

We have been given a great promise by Jesus himself. The Comforter is ever near us. He will never leave us in a desolate condition. He will never leave us without protection. Though Jesus ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God (a position of authority and power), his promise of the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is always with us. As Christ acted with his disciples while he sojourned with them, so the Holy Spirit acts with those who believe in his name. Believers are never fatherless or orphans. They are never comfortless.

4. All authority belongs to Jesus

In Luke 8:22-56, Jesus performed four miracles one evening within a few hours.

             Jesus calmed the storm in the Sea of Galilee.

             When Jesus went to the region of the Gerasenes, He cast out an evil spirit from a man who said his name was Legion.

             A woman suffering from haemorrhage for 12 years was healed after she touched the edge of the cloak Jesus was wearing.

             Jesus restored the life of the little daughter of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.

We see that:

A. Jesus has authority over the forces of nature. They obey Him.

B. Jesus has authority over all kinds of demons and evil spirits. They know him as the Son of the Most High God and fear him.

C. Jesus has authority over diseases and sickness. He is the ultimate Healer.

D. Jesus has authority over the power of death. He brought the dead back to life. Death could not hold Him. He rose from the dead and is alive forevermore.

Take heart. Do not despair. Do not lose hope. Do not let your faith waver. "All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus" (Matthew 28:18), and with Him in your life, there is nothing to fear. Know that you have the God of the Impossibilities, who created the limitless universe and everything in it out of nothing, is always on your side... in life, in death and beyond.

"Jesus, your name is a shelter for the hurting. Jesus, your name is a refuge for the weak. Jesus, only your name can redeem the undeserving. Jesus, your name holds everything I need."

Selie Visa