Winning attitude in affliction

What do you do when tribulation and heartbreak occur? I mean, when you lose your job unfairly; when your spouse wakes up with an unpleasant surprise and tells you they want out; when you fail an examination you had carefully and sufficiently prepared for; when your loved one gets hurt in an accident caused by drunk driving; when you lose your property to thieves or fire.
 You can blame circumstances and other people. You can complain and curse God. But taking any of these options is wrong for a child of God. These options are reserved for those who are not in covenant of peace and love with God. Children of God must know how to respond positively to the tribulations and heartbreaks of life. They can count upon the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord are not moved by situations of life. They know that God is in control. They rest secure in the promises of divine security even when the bottom falls out.
There is a calibre or group of people that I want readers to join. It is a secure group that enjoys the keeping power of God in all circumstances.
This group of people enjoys a great sense of security as they know that God will never fail them come pleasure or come pain. Sometimes the people in this group may appear to be defeated only to emerge triumphant in the end. At other times they seem to be losing but all of a sudden there is a twist in the events and they win.
 Each person belonging to this group has two common characteristics: loves God and serves God’s purpose. Because they love God, God keeps them secure. Danger, delay and even death may affect them. But their love for God causes God to work in all things for their good. God’s purposes may take these people through pain and setbacks but their love for God and God’s goodness will always see them through.
Apostle Paul who belonged in this group wonderfully described the admixture of affliction and triumph that characterise people in this secure group. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8,9: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” Note that those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose are not immune to trouble, persecution, and down casting. On one hand, the enemy will visit these ills upon them desiring to turn their hearts away from God. But because they love God with all their hearts, minds and strength they will be patient in suffering and trust God for deliverance. On the other hand, God will allow them to be tested but will not allow them to be destroyed. He will strengthen, comfort and rescue them from the evil schemes of the enemy. He will turn around what the enemy meant for evil and means it for good.  The Biblical records of Job and Joseph bear testimony to this marvellous doings of God for those who love Him and serve His purposes.
When the scripture says that God makes all things work together for good, it does not mean that all things or all events in the life of a saint are good. All things include major or minor, happy or sad, permanent or temporary things. In all things good and bad, God insures that we are not left to chance, and that everything works together toward His purpose.
Both saints and unbelievers go through the same tribulations, tragedies and afflictions. For both groups of people, the pain is real and the loss is real. But the difference lies in the purpose and the heart outlook. The purpose of God in the suffering of saints is to manifest fortitude, the ability to maintain your bearings under pressure, so that the devil who desires to turn us away from God through the ills he brings our way will be discomfited. The saint who does not panic in the face of unfavourable situations but responds with hope and patience and trust in the goodness of God proves the power of the gospel and the sufficiency of Christ in all things.
You may be going through stuff that you do not understand and wondering where you missed God or sinned against Him.
But if you love God and are serving His purposes take Peter’s winning attitude: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice…” (1 Peter4:12-13).
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