Effective Management of Difficult Times
Times have been tough for all of us, it may get better for most of us but nonetheless tough and difficult times are here to stay. Life will always have good times and difficult times in varying proportions. We have the ability to enjoy good times, it is the difficult times that overwhelm us.
It is said that opportunities loom, before us in difficult times, when we can overcome difficult times, we emerge stronger and more resilient. I cannot agree more. However, it is crucial that we learn to manage difficult times. Effective management of difficult times ensures quicker relief, and we can take advantage of opportunities for success in much less time (for the glory of God).
Let’s examine a portion of the scriptures to learn effective management of difficult times.
Read Matthew 3:16,17 & 4:1-11.
After the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus (3:16,17), THEN He was tempted (4:1). “Tempted” here meant to “Test”, or “to face trials”. It could also mean, “to go through difficult times”. Three thoughts arose from 3:16,17:
1) Once we are in communion with God, we must expect to be set upon by the evil one.
2) God usually prepares His people fir temptations before He calls them to it.
3) Our position in God (as sons and daughters of God) is the best preparation for temptations. The Father will watch over us, His grace and empowerment will see us through the difficult times, we will emerge unscathed, and better equipped to meet future challenges (1 Pet. 1:6,7 and 4:12, 13).
Having known these things and where our confidence is, we can effectively manage difficult times.
I have 3 ways to effective management of difficult times.
1) KNOW HIS WORD:
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).
The entrance of thy Words giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple (Ps.119:130).
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instructions are the way of life (Pro. 6:23)
The Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit”, the only offensive weapon in the armoury of God (Eph. 6:17).
Jesus knew the Word of God. “It is written…” He quoted from Deuteronomy (8:3, 6:16, 6:13) in His rebuttal of satan’s temptation. Jesus was victorious in managing the difficult times He was subjected to them because He knew the Word, and He knew God’s strategies and methods in handling the situation.
To know His word is to know Him, to know Him is to know our purpose and direction in life ( and the strategies and methods to deliver them). In difficult times it certainly pays to know His Word. We will be up to speed with answers and solutions to get out of the rut and onto the freeway.
2) Apply and Appropriate His Word to the Situation:
Jesus not only knew the Word, but He also applied and appropriated it to the situation He faced then. With each of the evil’s temptations, He applied (put to practical use) the Word appropriately (that is suitably, correctly), (read Matt.4:4,7,10). He was victorious over the evil one (vs.11).
We must not just know the Word, we must skillfully apply and appropriate the Word (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to our effectiveness as a victorious Christian (2 Cor. 3:6). Allow the Holy Spirit to help you apply and appropriate the Word to your situation, there will then be no wrong application and misappropriation of the Word (Heb. 4:12).
3) Stand by His Word:
Jesus stood by the Word. He believed what God said, and He never wavered despite “Tempting alternatives” the evil one offered. Difficult times can influence our belief in God because of our anxiousness to get out of it. IT is only natural that we feel that way, we all want good times to last. But our experiences with God prove His faithfulness that He never fails to keep His promises. It is therefore extremely crucial that we stand by His Word and see the effects on the situation we go through (2Pet. 3:17).
Hence knowing His Word, applying and appropriating His Word will be ineffective if we do not believe Him and stand by His Word (see Mk.9:23; 1 Kings 8:56).
I trust these strategies for the management of difficult times will benefit you. God bless you as you walk with Him and work with Him in your situations. Praise God for the victories in your life.
By: Joseph Hong