Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Hardships, trials, sorrows, obstacles, and life stressors often leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Unless we understand God’s purpose and direction for our spiritual growth entirely, we can easily slip into the pit of D’s–Discouragement and Depression. Our mental and emotional state of mind dramatically impacts our faith and trust in God. What is our view of God? Do we view God as the Great Punisher? Or do we possess the “Why Me?” mindset?

“I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28 BSB). What? John the Baptist was beheaded! [To be continued.]

Discipleship always includes suffering. Only the Apostle John died a natural death. And the Apostle Paul, when imprisoned, wrote, “For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires…” (Philippians 1:21-23 NLT)

Yes, dying does end our suffering. Still, most believers do not consider the desire to cease living. Although the rough times hit like a tsunami, our hope remains. No one likes to suffer! How do we make it through without giving up? Changing our perspective can only happen when we accept the purpose of suffering and believe the promise that Jesus is always involved in our suffering.

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33 Amplified Bible)

How do we know if our suffering is for Christ? Or because of the consequences of disobedience or mistreatment by another person? Pray and ask God. David’s prayer: “Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” Psalm 26:2

When prior experience, strategies, and help from family and friends do not alleviate or bring resolution, we suffer for Christ. Deliverance is only through God’s Divine Intervention and given when His purpose is fulfilled in our lives. The human effort of prayer and studying the Scriptures will provide us with the faith, strength, and courage required to journey through the harsh wilderness.

Although John the Baptist was imprisoned in a cold, dark dungeon and beheaded, He foretold the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. “It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” (John 1:27 NKJV). John was aware that serving and suffering for Jesus Christ is a privilege and honor.

Certainly, this should be a moment of truth for every believer that, in humility, we realize the privilege and honor to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. Philippians 1:29

Prayer: God, thank you for revealing to us through the Holy Spirit that we are highly favored and privileged to serve and suffer for your Son, Jesus. Please give us the strength to endure suffering as we prepare for Eternal life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Some situations are vividly recalled because of the negative impact on our lives. As I diligently searched for employment, the title read, “Innovative Nursing Administrative Position.”

Description: Immediate administrative nursing position that requires solid clinical background with excellent critical thinking skills. Newly developed with the goal of increasing the quality of care among our residents.

Yes, I was excited this had to be a perfect fit. The interview went well, and I received a tentative start date pending background checks.

But there was a red flag that I ignored. The job description was a draft–a work-in-progress, which equated to unknown definitive duties. Receiving reassurance that completing the job description was imminent, along with the salary and benefits package, persuaded me to accept the facility’s offer with excitement. All was well for the initial four weeks, and then new duties were added every day for at least two weeks. The boulder rolled down the mountain when the Charge Nurse resigned on one of the units. The expectation was that I would fulfill the position until another RN was hired and trained.

Eventually, my administrative duties were withdrawn, and I was the full-time replacement for the vacant Charge Nurse position. Shortening the story, I resigned because of the bait and switch tactic of the company. With research, I learned that I was eligible for unemployment compensation. Two infractions: I was demoted to a staff position due to a vacancy without an end date, and the facility never advertised to replace the Charge Nurse position. The facility’s Administrator attempted to block the unemployment but lost the appeal. Isn’t God good?

Many believers have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, either lacking scriptural knowledge or the desire to become a disciple–living to serve. What does God require of us?

Spiritual Job Description

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

As disciples, we are called into a life of action. To obey God with humility and live a life of service to others in need–providing spiritual [mental and emotional] encouragement and physical necessities. Our role model is Jesus Christ. Impoverished [which God does not require of us], Jesus lived a life of complete servitude. And still, He serves as our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor. Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NASB)

Thankfully, our spiritual job description has no loopholes or unknown areas. Surrendering in humility to God and loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind gives us the motivation and zeal to pledge ourselves to discipleship. For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:27 ESV)

Bible Study: Matthew 25:31-46

Prayer: God, we pray for forgiveness for not humbling ourselves in obedience to fulfill our spiritual job description. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Worthy name. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Last night, I watched a documentary of three young girls–ages 10, 7, and 5 traveling several miles down a massive river in a leaky dugout canoe to journey to school. The perseverance of the children is beyond anything that I have ever witnessed. What is inside us that causes the human mind to go against all odds? Truly our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:19

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.

God has imparted–given us the resilience to withstand many obstacles. But many have chosen to travel on the path of self-pity, anger, and resentment when they face hardships. Suffering is a part of God’s Divine plan to lead us into the daily spiritual journey of Sanctification. Every day, the Holy Spirit gives us restorative strength, stability, and guidance to overcome today’s troubles. Do Not Worry or Be Anxious: And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27 ESV).

Faith Heroes

Job–Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” Job 1:8. Although we do not know the timespan of Job’s suffering, we are aware of the extreme intensity of his suffering. Still, Job proclaimed, “Though He slay me, yet, will I trust in Him: But I will maintain mine own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.” Job 13:15-16

Apostle Paul–Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. 2 Corinthians 11:25. The Apostle was unjustly imprisoned on false charges–for preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles and starting the Early Churches. Yet, 4-6 of his books were written in prison.

Our Savior–Jesus Christ

We often forget the suffering that Jesus endured, which is beyond our finite comprehension. In his humanness, Jesus prayed, “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39.

As commandment-keeping disciples, we should consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus. God has never required us to live a life of suffering. The Apostle Peter tells us that “after you have suffered for a little while,” we will receive spiritual restoration and the strength that is needed to run the race. Our enemy, Satan, will never give up. Be aware that he devises plots and schemes to discourage us. God is monitoring the fiery darts that our archenemy hurls against us and will not allow us to be crushed. James tells us to change our mindset to suffering hardships. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance… . James 1:2-3

Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.… 1 Peter 5:9-11

Fortifying ourselves daily with prayer and studying the scriptures provides the foundation to build our faith and trust in God. We will receive knowledge along with wisdom and discernment from the anointing of the Holy Spirit to persevere in all trials, sorrows, and hardships. And like Job, we will proclaim, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Job 19:25. Hallelujah! Amen!

Prayer: God, many times we complain and become discouraged, but today we thank you for our sufferings. We pray for understanding and strength as you transform us into soldiers of faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

As we approach the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our greatest enemy, Satan utilizes doubt as a powerful and deceptive strategy to provoke believers [to attempt] to analyze and rationalize the Scriptures, which are God-breathed. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Lest we forget, God reminds us of the limitation of the creation–human beings and our cognitive capabilities versus His Omniscience. Jesus told His disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. Even the Apostle Paul, who was highly educated and wrote many New Testament books, acknowledged the mysteries he could not understand or explain. “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51. Paul also mentioned another mystery in Ephesians regarding Christ and the Church.

Those disloyal to God have always questioned the validity of the Trinity Godhead: God, the Father, God, the Son–Jesus, and God, the Holy Spirit.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly, a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 NKJV.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

“But to the Son, He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever…Therefore God, your God has anointed you With the oil of gladness..'”. . Hebrews 1:8-9

Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3. Yes, like little children who have total faith and trust in spoken words, we must believe every word in the Holy Scriptures. The false teaching of a “One and Only True God” has caused further dissension among believers. Even so, Hebrews 1:8 proclaims Jesus’ Deity as God spoken from God, His Father. Throughout the Bible, Jesus reveals His Deity, clearly stating that He and God are One. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'”? John 14:9

There is no middle ground! Are you willing to risk losing your reward of eternal life because of doubt and unbelief based on another person’s perception of the Bible?

Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:12-13

Bible Study: Hebrews 1

Prayer: God, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives us discernment of your truth. We pray for strength and an increase in faith. We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we continue our journey on the Path of Righteousness. We give you glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV