You Aren’t Alone
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
(Philippians 1:29-30)
Sometimes it seems as though there are periods of time we feel like we walk out our healing or our journey with Christ alone. It seems the more we put our all into it, the more difficult the walk seems to be. We just get over one difficult hurdle and now another one comes in its place. We get over that one and then someone comes along and tries to deter us from either following Christ or trusting in His healing by following scripture. They may try to tell you “it’s not going to work” or “you’ve been this way all your life, you won’t be able to change”. Have you ever felt like this or ever had this happen to you? If so, then rest assured, you aren’t alone.
Don’t find it surprising that when you come to Christ, you will have more obstacles in your walk and more distractions. Don’t find it surprising that others will try to deter you from your walk or your faith in Christ. Don’t even find it surprising that the harder you work on your healing, the more temptations and difficulties that come your way. We will always find some sort of struggle, distraction or temptation whenever we do anything that involves putting Christ in our lives. Paul has mentioned several times in scripture about suffering for Christ or how the enemy has tried to stop him. We can see this in 1 Thessalonians 2:18:
“Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.”
How does Satan hinder us? Through other people and situations. Sometimes other people can try and deter us from moving forward in our walk with Christ or in our healing process. They will try to discourage us, tempt us or even try and intimidate us. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:8-9:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
The word resist means to withstand, strive against or oppose. In other words, do the opposite of what the enemy wants you to do. Stand firm against temptation. Make every effort to resist, standing in faith and knowing that your brothers and sisters in Christ are going through the very same thing you are all over the world. If you are fighting against the temptation to do drugs, so are others. If you are being persecuted for your faith, so are others. If you are fighting depression and anxiety, so are others. You must realize that you are not alone in your walk with Christ and in your walk to healing. Others are going through the very same things you are. The one thing you cannot do is isolate yourself from everyone or you will never know that you truly aren’t alone in your walk. It is imperative that you receive support from others during these times.
There is good news! You serve a great and powerful God that promises His help during these times. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
During the difficult times of temptation, you must bring forth this promise back to God and ask Him to provide the way out of the temptation. He may not remove the situation or temptation completely, but he will provide a way of escape so you are able to bear it. It is through these situations that He will use them to strengthen you against it and strengthen your faith in Him. James 1:2-4 states:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
When we are patient and walk through the trials and temptations that come our way, God will deliver us! Psalm 34:19 tells us:
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
So do not be discouraged! You are not alone in your walk! There are so many others going through the same trials and problems as you. Christ understands. Surrender the problem to Him, be patient, stand firm and then wait upon His rescue. He is faithful and will not leave you alone. The most important thing is to remain calm and not allow your emotions to rule you. Just like a storm outside, you must wait out the storm until it passes. During the storm it looks intimidating, but once it passes, peace comes.
Realize today that you are in good company if you are going through these trials and obstacles. Christ went through it, His disciples went through it and your brothers and sisters in Christ are going through it all around the world. Know that you will get through this, you just have to remember your mile markers…all the times in the past you were going through difficulties and Christ came to your rescue. When you remember the mile markers in your past, it will be a reminder that you got through it then and you will get through it now.
“Lord, I surrender this temptation/trial/problem to You. Help me to withstand the storm until it passes and your peace comes. Take control of my emotions and grant me self-control so I may hear You clearly during this time. Increase my faith in you Lord. Thank you for the strength You will provide during this time. I ask this in Jesus name…Amen.”