God's Solution For Tough Times

God’s Solution for Tough Times

We all go through tough times

We all go through the shadow of the valley of death

The life is a combination of values and satifaction, of defeats and victories, of failures and successes, and of mountains and valleys.

Crisis doesn’t only show our character, but it also helps to form our character

It doesn’t matter how shadowed our times may look, God is with us.

Though I go through cloudy valleys, I shall not fear anything for you are at my side. Your Sheppard’s rod comforts me Ps.23:4

God wants for us to trust in him in every circumstance

Valleys represent the crisis of life

4 facts about valleys

1. Valleys are inevitable

John 16:33 I have told you these things so that you might find peace in me. In this life, you will face afflictions

Valleys (Crisis) are a part of Life.

Every time you climb a mountain, a valley lies ahead.

Jesus said that those that live in the world will have afflictions

2. Mathew 5:45 That you may be sons of the father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

No one is exempt of problems

Good people have problems

Bad people have problems

For the children of God, every valley is a path of transition toward something Better

Every time we go through tough situations does not mean we are bad people, it means that we are people

3. Valleys are SEASONS

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. I Peter 1:6

Problems and crisis are not eternal

They have a beginning and an end

Though I walk through – implies movement beyond

We have to go through the valley but we don’t live in the valley.

4. Valleys are not an Accident, they complete a purpose

Nothing in life is an accident

Everything happens for a reason

Something to learn:

ß Every Problem has purpose

ß Faith is developed through life’s vallies

God cares more about our Character than our Comfort Level.

God cares more about our healing then our happiness

God wants to form the Character of Christ in us

David said: I shall fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and yoru staff they comfort me.

So what should we do when we go through the valley of the shadow of death?

1. Refuse to become discouraged

I shall fear no evil

• To be controlled by fear or to put our faith in God is not an accident but a decision

• Discouragement or Confidence are always the result of a decision

• We cannot invade a valley, but we can walk through them with no fear

How do we decide not to fear or be discouraged?

Focus in on God not the situation

Walk with people that will encourage you

2. Remember that God is with you

Because you are with me! God is with us in every moment

God gives us his presence but also promises his POWER in the valley

You will never face a tough day alone, God says: “I am with you”

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you when you walk through the fire you will not be burned the flames will not ser you ablaze

Valleys help us know God more intimately

Speaking about God and speaking with God, are the same thing

Affliction + God’s Presence = Relationship

Real Christianity is relationship not religion

3. Rest in God’s protection and guidance

Your Rod and your Shaft they comfort me

ROD = Protection - not to punish

The Sheppard used the rod to protect his sheep

Staff = Direction

Sheppard used to bring sheep closer to him

Presence, Protection, and Direction is what God gives in valley

Three important fact about the Shadow

1. they are always bigger than reality

2. Shadows can’t hurt

3. There can be no shadow with a LIGHT being somewhere

Jesus is the Light of the world

Many are the afflictions of the just but the Lord shall deliver you from them all Psalms 34