By Sister Vanessa Alexander
At some point in our lives we’ve heard these comments: “Hold on,” “The struggle is for a moment,” “This too shall pass,” and “God has a plan for you and He is preparing you for it.” But, how many of us really believe that God will bring us through to prepare us to receive what He has for us? When I reflect on my past trials – from the insecurity of the loss of a job, to the pain associated with the break-up of a marriage, to the broken heart resulting from the death of my nephew, followed two months later with the death of my dad, and five years later with the death of my mom – did I accept or reject God’s presence in the midst of these trials? 
Did I really, at that time, understand? Did I want to accept that during those times, God was in the midst and was bringing me through those situations in preparation for the plans he had for me?
Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This scripture tell us regardless of what we are feeling at the time of our darkest moment, regardless of how much the situation hurts, regardless of what people may want us to believe, regardless of how afraid we might be, we must put our trust in the God. He can comfort us in our time of need. He can ease the pain. He is a mind regulator. He can protect us from all harm and danger. We must praise and magnify Him in everything we do and He shall direct our path.
We are saints of the most high God, but we are also human beings. If we don’t have faith in our walk with God, we open our minds to the elements of the world. When faced with a difficult situation, the first thing that shows up uninvited is fear. Saints, fear needs no invitation, and it will stay as long as you allow it. It is no respecter of person and can become very close friends with your mind. Unlike God, fear is a mind deregulator. Fear’s biggest enemy is faith; they both cannot co-exist at the same time within a saved individual. As you know, faith is the belief in something we cannot see, whereas fear is an emotional feeling caused by a threat of danger, evil or pain. For us to grow in faith and have a closer relationship with God, fear must die for faith to prevail.
The Bible tells us in Romans 10:17 that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." God allows trials in our lives because God wants us to know Him, and rely on His directions. Besides accepting the Lord as our personal savior, one of the first steps in having faith that God is working on our behalf and He wants what is best for us, is a strong church attendance. God wants us to know His Word through hearing and reading the Bible. Through our church attendance, we learn the importance of prayer, worshiping together with other saints, fasting and learning the Word of God. It's through the hearing of His Word, reading of the Scriptures, fasting and praying that we begin to experience a strong, confident faith that excludes fear.
To come back to my earlier question, did I accept or reject God’s presence in the midst? I accepted it to a point. Yes I knew God would work it out, but in His way, not mine. I understood that tomorrow would certainly arrive, but I was hurting. I knew God still loved me, even though I was sad, lonely, unemployed and unhappy.
Throughout those devastating incidents in my life, I prayed, I cried, in some instances I laughed. I had people talk with me, and pray with me. Not until my mother died did someone read God’s Word with me. The Word of God is loaded with promises that God has for us.
When I became unemployed, the scripture I should have read was Philippians 4:19 which tells us, "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Then I would have understood more clearly that during my time of unemployment I was never without. I did not suffer. And although all of my financial needs were not met, I was never lacking of anything.
This time allowed me to care for my ailing mother, which during this time, I should have also read Psalm 32:8 which reminds us that God says "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Then I would have known it was not by happenstance that I found my home church, Holiness Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, where I receive my teaching and counseling from my pastor.
During my nephew’s and father’s ailment and later their deaths I wished I would have read Romans 5:3-4 which says, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience: and experience hope." Five years later, although it was not what I wanted, I was prepared for my mother’s death. There was no place for fear to dwell within me.
Throughout our lives we will continue to encounter various trials that would cause us fear, but God assures us in His promises that we can know a calming peace through every situation that will allow our faith to conquer our fears. Philippians 4:7 tells us, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Through faith, God meets all your needs.