Defeat is temporary. Victory is permanent.

Take hold of trials, testing and suffering without letting go of God.

Mark 14:36 (NIV)36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will,

but what you will."

Luke 22:44 (NIV) 44 “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the

ground.”

James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Defeat is temporary. Victory is permanent.

Take hold of trials, testing, sorrow & loss without letting

go of God.

1. REMEMBER: Trials, testing, sorrow & loss are part of this world but will not be

in the next world.

John 16:33 (NIV) 33 " … In this world you will have trouble."

2. Keep perspective: Don’t over inflate the devil or your trouble.

James 1:13 (NIV) 13 “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; …”

Job 1:6-7 (NIV) 6 “One day the angels came to present themselves before the

Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord,

"From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

Very Important.

• Satan is not everywhere at the same time.

• Satan does not know everything.

• Satan is not all powerful.

• Satan needs God’s permission.

3. God does permit tests to prepare us for our destiny.

Job 1:8-12 (NIV) 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man

who fears God and shuns evil." 9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his

household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11

But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do

not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

4. You will never be tested beyond what you can bear.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)13 No temptation has seized you except what is

common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But

when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

5. You don’t have to hide the fact that you are going through a trial.

Job 1:20 (NIV) 20 “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved

his head. … “

6. Here’s what you do: Worship, Worship, Worship

Job 1:20-21 (NIV) 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord

has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend

ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to

save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or

worship the image of gold you have set up."

7. Helpful questions to ask:

1. Are you in a trial because of consequence of sin? Repent!2. Would common sense have saved you? Make it right!

3. Is God trying to say something to you? Obey! 4. Is your trial the result of someone else’s stuff? Forgive!5. Is it part of what God is doing in the nation? Intercede!

6. Or is it unknown? Trust!

8. Trials and testing are not always because of sin.

9. It’s never forever!

Psalm 23:4 (NIV) 4 “Even though I walk through the valley …”

1 Peter 1:6 (NLT) 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even

though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

Colossians 1:11 (NCV) 11 God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but

you will be patient.

10. Look for purpose.

Matthew 28:20 (NIV) 20 …. And surely I am with you always, to the very

end of the age.“

Psalm 34:19 (NIV) 19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the

Lord delivers him from them all …

Defeat is temporary. Victory is permanent.