Trials and storms. Everyone runs into them from time to time. They can be minor or quite severe. Regardless of the trial you’re in, trials and tribulations have a purpose in the believer’s life.
As a reminder, while God doesn’t send the storms of life your way, He does use life’s trials and tribulations to help you grow stronger in your faith and build your character. James 1:2-4 reminds us that there is a purpose for trials, and that is so that you may be completely whole, lacking nothing.
It’s been several years since my late husband and I were in a troubled period. At the date of this writing, our trial is long over, though I want to share with you how to work through life’s storms as God prepares you for your victory.
Let’s look at King Hezekiah to see how we should handle trials when they come our way.
9 Responses to Handling Trials and Tribulations
Get ready and grab your Bible for this quick study, as it’s time to begin. In 2 Kings 19, we will learn of nine responses that we should have in the midst of trials and tribulations. Let’s see what Hezekiah’s situation teaches us.
1. Use Discernment to Distinguish the Trials and Tribulations
Accurately discern the seriousness of the situation.
Some situations can be called minor and, through prayer, can be resolved quickly. We might even consider these normal life issues. However, other situations are more concerning and can knock our breath out. Direct these situations to God.
Let’s see how King Hezekiah responded.
2 Kings 18:37; 19:1 … King Hezekiah’s men told him of a message from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, through Rabshakeh, who was sowing discord between the two kings. This message was serious, so Hezekiah immediately sprang into action.
2. When You’re in Trials, Go to Church
In your trials and tribulations, you must surround yourself with fellow believers.
2 Kings 19:1 … Upon hearing this message, Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. Hezekiah sought the LORD in His house. Pour yourself out before Him, for He hears your prayers.
3. & 4. Seek the LORD and Ask for Prayer in Your Trials
God moves when we seek Him through prayer.
At this point, we need to stay in fellowship with other believers.
2 Kings 19:2-4 … As you go to the Lord in prayer, you do not need to do this alone. Ask your fellow believers to join you in prayer regarding the situation. This requires humility as you tell them of the circumstances. Put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), and unite with other believers, with your shields together to fight off the darts of the enemy. Also, remember that Paul said in Galatians 6:2: we are to bear one another’s burdens. We do that through prayer, so go ahead, ask them to pray with you.
2 Kings 19:3 … Remember that it’s not about us; it’s about God. He will not take blasphemy lightly. Nor will He stand for rebuking and being mocked the way King Sennacherib was mocking God. You can trust that God will defend you.
5. God Has a Resolution for Your Trials
Nothing surprises God; however, He has a plan to resolve your trials and tribulations. Let God work things out in His time.
2 Kings 19:5-7 … The first thing we need to do is turn to the Word of God when we face a trial. We need a working knowledge of God’s Word so we can stand firm on God’s promises.
2 Kings 19:6 … This is a word from God to us, too. Do not fear the words that you heard spoken against Me, says God.
When someone speaks against you, they are speaking against the God you serve as well. God will not let that go unnoticed. Hezekiah sent a message to his people to encourage them and build them up, telling them not to listen to the lies being told.
Many times, what we hear creates fear in us, yet it can also create faith. Be careful what you listen to. Remember that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God – Romans 10:17.
In the Old Testament, we often read “Hear, O Israel”…what we hear will either grow to fear or to faith. The more we hear the Word of God, the more our faith will grow.
What we hear will either grow to fear or to faith.
6. Be Aware of Future Attacks
Expect that the enemy is going to attack again and again. He won’t give up so quickly because he desires to kill, steal, and destroy – John 10:10. He delights in terrorizing you with more trials.
2 Kings 19:8-13 … Sennacherib, king of Assyria, continues to attack the king of Judah and taunt him with his history of successes. Satan is merciless, ruthless, and does not give up in his attempts to destroy us. He’s doing his job of “seeking whom he may devour.” Stand your ground; don’t let him devour you.
7. Continually Commit Your Trials to the LORD
During the course of your trial, continually commit it to God. Don’t take it back to resolve it yourself; instead, remind God that the trial belongs to Him to resolve.
2 Kings 19:14-19 … Hezekiah brought the whole situation before the Lord again, spreading the letter he received before God. And then he prayed.
It’s time to cast the problem upon the Lord.
Here are some helpful Scripture verses for you:
- 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our cares upon Him.
- Proverbs 16:3-4 tells us to commit everything to the Lord
- Psalm 37:5-6 also tells us to commit our way to the Lord and to trust Him.
- Psalm 55:22-23 reminds us to cast our burdens on the Lord.
- Isaiah 26:3 comforts us with these words: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. This is telling us that we can leave our cares with him; however, we need to remember not to pick them up again when we leave.
8. View the Situation from God’s Perspective
It’s a good thing to look at your situation from God’s perspective. Don’t view problems through finite minds but rather view them from God’s perspective. View big problems in light of our bigger God.
Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us not to be anxious for anything but to bring everything to Him so the peace of God can guard our hearts and minds.
Here’s a quote I heard from Pastor JD Farag from Calvary Chapel Kaneohe in Oahu, Hawaii:
View big problems in light of our bigger God!
9. Know that God Hears Your Plea
God knows your heart and hears your cry. While there may be times when you feel so alone, remember the truth of God: you are never alone, nor are you forsaken by God – Hebrews 13:5.
2 Kings 19:20 … Isaiah spoke a word to Hezekiah, telling him that “because you have prayed to me, I have heard.” We never want to hear God tell us, “Because you did not pray to me, I will not answer.”
As Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, to be anxious for nothing, we can condense it to “pray for everything, thank God for anything, and worry about nothing,” and God will give us peace. So have faith, for faith pleases God.
2 Kings 19:21-37 relates how God vindicated His name and gave the victory to Hezekiah. God is faithful to those who seek Him and put their trust in Him.
So, we have seen how Hezekiah responded to the trouble that fell upon him. These are actionable steps for us, too. When you look over these steps, have you done any of them? Can you trust God enough to follow all of these steps? Do not be anxious about your situation. God’s got this if you’ve given it to Him.
The Victory God Gave Us in Our Trial
I mentioned at the start that my late husband and I went through a troubled period several years ago, so when we heard this message, we reviewed these actions and saw that we had taken all these steps.
In 2 Kings 19:3, 6, which is about blasphemy, we realized the other party had blasphemed the name of God, and these verses show that God will not let that go unpunished. We reminded God of what the other party said and asked God to deal with the trial according to His Word.
The trial, an actual court case for us, was tried before an earthly judge in June 2017. I prayed much for this judge, that God would move through her and give His verdict for us.
The outcome was that heaven’s will came to earth that day. God vindicated us as the judge pronounced in our favour. We won the case, praise His Holy Name!
That’s a Wrap
As you find yourself applying the principles of these 9 responses found in 2 Kings 19, I KNOW that God will give you the victory!
I encourage you to keep on praying, believing, and trusting God to resolve your trials and tribulations for His glory!
What action will you take when you find yourself facing a difficult time?
~ Cindy
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