Triumph over Tests, Trials, and Tribulations with Truth

Encouragement for the Journey

James 1:2-3 NKJV

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Remember this saying, “What Would Jesus Do”? WWJD was popular nationwide for a time. It was very popular on the christian scene specifically among teenagers. Bracelets, t-shirts, scriptures to back it up, etc. were everywhere. I was a teen when it came out, and this still comes back to my mind at times. The intent of it was to remind us to deal with situations that arose in life the way Jesus did when He was on earth. It was to cause us to think about what He would do or say if He were still walking the earth.

My church does a Bible reading plan called Red40. For 40 days, we read the red letters, which are the Words of Jesus. The last time we did Red40, WWJD came back to mind. There was a change in Kayden’s treatment plan that I was not told about, and my finances were affected. I was tested while in a trial. With all that had gone on in the 1 1/2 years of treatment and travel, we were told one thing about his end date, but it was changed to another. I had to decide what to do and how to respond. I was tired from driving from home to Houston (8 hours) overnight to make the appointment. Much scripture stands out to me when doing that reading plan, but this got my attention that day.

Luke 4:1-2a NKJV

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² being tempted for forty days by the devil… 

Jesus wasn’t just tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 days. He was tempted during the 40 days of fasting in the wilderness while being filled with the Holy Spirit! Though he was filled with the Holy Spirit, the devil still didn’t stop trying! Not only did he keep trying, he used the Word while doing it! This proves how relentless the enemy is. Now, if the enemy did it to Jesus repeatedly, we must know he’s going to keep trying us. 

When tests, trials, and tribulations come, we respond as Jesus did. They can seem like mountains, immovable and intimidating. Yet, just as he trusted the Father completely, we too are called to walk by faith and speak the Word. When we fix our eyes on Him and speak the Word by faith instead of focusing on the situation, obstacle, or challenge, those mountains begin to move. The enemy flees!

Luke 4:3-8 NKJV

³ And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” ⁴ But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” ⁵ Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. ⁷ Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” ⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Here we see that Jesus was tempted twice by the devil. What did Jesus do? He wasn’t so weak that He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t shrink back or respond incorrectly due to being tired of the constant temptations. He didn’t do a “woe is me” we do at times. He also did not give in and do what the devil said because he had the power to do so. What did He do? He combated the enemy with the truth—the Word of God.

Luke 4:12-12 NKJV

⁹ Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ ¹¹ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” ¹² And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Luke 4:13 NKJV

¹³ Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

An opportune time… the devil didn’t give up simply because those temptations failed. Instead, he withdrew, watching and waiting for another moment to strike—another moment of weakness, distraction, or weariness.

In the same way, he often waits for opportune times in our lives: when we are exhausted, discouraged, wounded, or drifting from prayer. That’s why we can’t relax spiritually after a single victory. We need to remain close to God, grounded in His Word, and alert in prayer so that when the next “opportune time” comes, we are ready to stand firm and resist the devil.

I pray that when we are tested, like in difficult life circumstances or unexpected changes, we respond as Jesus did: resist the enemy and combat every temptation and tribulation with the Word of God.

Promises for the Journey

James 4:7-8 NKJV

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.