Understanding the problem from God's point of view:
Isa. 55:8-9
-We are to think God's thoughts after Him. Unless our
thoughts are in agreement with His, they are to be discarded.
Our ways, our habits and practices are to change, to be directed
and guided by God's word and commandments regardless of our feelings
or our opinions. We cannot mix our thoughts with His, else God's
word becomes polluted. God's words are pure and cannot be mixed
with carnal thoughts.
Hope:
Rom. 8:28-29
; JN. 14:21
-As we think God's thoughts and do what
He commands, God enters and intervenes in our lives and into our
situation. Regardless if we cause the problem or caused by others,
if we respond God's way, He will turn the situation to our advantage.
1 Cor. 10:13 ; Eph. 6:10-12 -The devil operates only in the carnal which is common to man but we are spiritual. We don't fight him with reason, by will-power, by tangibles for our weapons are not carnal but spiritual and are mighty to tear down the strongholds of the enemy. Thus, our trust and faith is in God and in Him we face our temptations and God will see us through.
Heb. 4:14-16
; 2 Cor. 5:21
; Heb. 9:14
; Eph. 2:4-10
-Jesus went to the
end of temptation, and far beyond it . He did not collapse for
no man was ever tempted as He was. He suffered all of this to
secure the ideal and perfect righteousness for us that we may
be acceptable to His Father. Based on what Jesus did, we are given
the right to enter the Throne room and receive the very help of
God Himself to enable us by His grace to confront any trial, to
conquer and triumph over any situation and circumstances of life.
God is able to do this because His Son , while on earth, suffered
the same trials we do. He knows how to walk through and conquer,
and we in Him can do likewise.
Change:
Eph. 4:22-24
; Rom. 6:6
-You must exercise your own will to put-off
the old man, the man you were before you accepted Christ. As you
choose God's way, the emphasis now is to make new, readjust, change,
turn around and regenerate your mind by God's word which becomes
the very Presence of Christ in the believer. You have Christ's
mind and you are to allow the Spirit of Christ to focus your mind
more and more upon God and spiritual things. Becoming a new man,
you can now begin life all over again. Your spirit has been recreated
into the righteousness and holiness of the truth qualifying you
to have fellowship with God, enabled to become obedient to God's
will and devoted to His service.
Col. 1:10
; l Jn. 1:7
-Becoming a new person means activity. It is
not enough to know God's will, possess wisdom and understanding,
all this must be put into practice. We are to set our lives, our
behaviour and conduct after Christ. We are to be fruitful in every
good work, we must grow in the knowledge of God. As we increase
in this knowledge, God's presence also increases and so does His
power which enables us to do every fruitful work. We receive this
power by prayer, this power which gives us patience, endurance,
fortitude, steadfastness, constancy and perseverance.