Have you ever felt that nothing in your life is going right?  You try to do everything that you are required to do.  You take great care of your children. You try to help others when you are able to. Yet every time you manage to take two steps forward, something happens that causes you to take three steps back.  No matter what you try to do, it seems like you can’t win for losing.

There is no doubt that people are experiencing hard times right now. Yet you are a person of leadership in your community, family or household, and everyone is looking to you for the answers.  How can you possibly begin to lead others if you don’t understand yourself? This is a critical time in your life when righteous commitments are being challenged.

This is your defining moment.

Every defining moment has the potential to promote you to the next level.  There are two types of tests: spiritual (God always tests us to bring out the best) and satanic (Satan tempts us to bring out the worst).  Regardless of the source of the test, if you pass, you are promoted.

Whatever situation you are in, you are equipped to handle it.  God would not allow you to be in something that you cannot handle.  According to the Bible, you have the ability to turn your defeat into victory and your trial into triumph.  Instead of being a victim, you can become a victor (James 1:2-8).

When you face the trials of life, you should evaluate them in the light of what God is doing for you.  Therefore when trials come, you should immediately give thanks to the Lord and adopt a joyful attitude.  It may not be easy to do, but just look at your trials through the eyes of faith.

Outlook determines outcome and attitude determines action.

God has a purpose in trials.  He wants to produce patience, endurance and character in our lives.  There is no substitution for an understanding mind. Patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances; it is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty.

God wants to make us patient, because that is the key to every other blessing. Trials, when rightly used, will help us to mature in Christ. We know that the result will bring glory to God.

God cannot build our character without our cooperation.  If we resist him, He will keep knocking us to our knees until we eventually stay down. God wants a complete and mature finished product.  He is not satisfied with a work that is anything less than perfect.  We must let God have our consent by having a surrendered will.  God builds character before He calls us into service.  He must work in us before He can work through us.

The key to coming out of hard times is wisdom.  If you lack it, ask for it with confidence.  You must expect the sovereign provision of God.  Do not forget in the dark what God has told you in the light. This is not a time for hesitation.  It is a time for gain, swift transitioning, double portion, and grace to finish.

God’s supernatural provision will show up when you start moving.  Don’t let the devil distract you and make you miss your moment in glory.

In summary, the four things you need to have in order to experience victory in trials are:

1.    A joyful attitude
2.    An understanding mind
3.    A surrendered will
4.    A believing heart