IT IS NOT NEW
Pr. James Victor Lubwama
Ecclesiastes 3:15 (NLT)
“What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.”
The challenges you are facing or problems you are going through are not new. There is someone who has gone through the same furnace and encountered the same setbacks. The trials in your life are no different from what others experience, but the difference is in how we react or respond to them; for one may choose to be silent about it; another may share it with a colleague, while another someone else may choose to surrender them unto the Lord. 
But irrespective of what you are going through, take note of the following: 

 1. It is not Beyond Your Ability.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
“All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
The challenges or trials you face are within your ability to overcome and endure. The trials we face are according to the measure of grace given unto us. If you were not able to handle, it would not have come your way. With God’s grace, you can be able to stand and handle your issues because His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). What appears to be small to you may be big to another – God gives grace and strength to everyone as per his measure. It’s never beyond what you can endure because God’s grace is sufficient. 

 2. Its a Test
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT)
“Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands”
Sometimes the challenges or trials we face are God's way of checking one's understanding of His ways and will; and to check the foundations on which we are built to see whether we are rooted in His word.
God has spoken so many things concerning our lives, done so many miracles that show His presence in our lives but do we believe? Do we know that He can't forsake us? (Isaiah 43). If we feel threatened or if our foundations are shaken, will we stand? Will your hands be strong till when God deals with you? (Ezekiel 22:14) Will you stay the narrow path regardless of whether your barns are full or not? (Habakkuk 3:17) Its's not until you pass the test at the current level that you can be elevated to another level. 

 3. To be an Example to Others
1 Corinthians 10:11 (AMP)
"Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
You will be someone's point of reference tomorrow because of your conduct, faith and character. Because you overcame, you will help someone else to stand still and overcome. Sometimes someone needs to see you suffer well too - few things fortify one's faith like watching another Christian suffer with persevering faith in God. When we watch others walk through the valley of the shadow of death with hope, faith and joy in God, their faithfulness inspires hopefulness in others of like belief. Some people will not be curious about the hope within us unless we suffer for something that requires robust faith and hope (1 Peter 3:14-15) 

 4. So That God's Works Might Be Displayed 
John 9:3 (GNT)
“Jesus answered, "His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins. He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him”
There are a myriad ways God can take you out of your problem or challenges (Isaiah 55:9). But sometimes the way of your deliverance is concealed so that God can show His power and greatness to us and others - everything happens for the glory of His name. No one knew that there was away in the red sea (Exodus 14:9-30). But at the right time the Israelites were delivered from the Egyptian chariots that pursued them - for God has a plan for your deliverance. 

 God is most glorified in us when we are more satisfied in Him, and we can only be satisfied in Him by completely trusting Him to take care of our burdens and to quench our challenges. And we know all things work for good to those who love God, so trust the process and have faith in God. 

 Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
"So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most"

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