We are in a time of great changes on the earth. There are coming forth new alignments of mans’ kingdoms in nations and economics. We are also in a time of New wineskins for the Kingdom of God. God wants us to enter into His unfolding plan, to walk with Him and be at rest in our hearts. But when we don’t yet see what things will be, how can we know what to do?

As worldwide changes take place we undergo the pressure too. The financial difficulties of this season are exposing many hearts, and here is a key. You may easily give in to fear and worry, or anger and despondency. You may wonder where God is. But you need know that trials are not a sign that something is wrong with your faith. In fact we are told not to be surprised by fiery trials, and that they prove us!

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12

The Greek language used here means these trials will come, and here they are! Trials test our faith to see what it is like. This is not so God can find out. He knows. But trials are so we can find out how our faith is doing and change things! He wants us to depend on Him, to radically trust and love Him. Crisis often means we have no choice! So what does it mean to be tried or “proven” as some translations say?

When I was a student at the General Motors Institute I learned about the GM proving grounds. Here, a new model car was subjected to every kind of test. Pot holes at high speeds, endless motorized door slamming, overheated engines and brakes, you name it. The object was to see what lasted and what broke, and produce a better car. The same thing is happening in you and I today.

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

We need to hang in there in faith and not react. We WILL have negative feelings, but having feelings is not a lack of faith. Faith is to trust in God at that point! Here is what Karen, my wife, teaches about responding to negative feelings.

My Response To Negative Feelings

by Karen Somerville

1. I am not going to believe anything I am thinking or feeling right now.

2. I am not going to draw any conclusions about my life, who I am, what others think of me, or what my future holds based on what I am thinking right now.

3. I am definitely not going to act based on how I am feeling.

4. I will trust Jesus to show me what I need to change and what is pressure from the enemy. Lord , I ask your truth to penetrate my life at this moment.

5. I understand the difference between conviction and condemnation:
• CONVICTION from the Holy Spirit brings a desire to grow and change.
• CONDEMNATION from the devil, brings death, no hope or desire.

6. I Am...
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 ... a New Creation in Christ.
• Ephesians 1:13 ... sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.
• 2 Corinthians 3: 17 and 18 ... being changed from one degree of glory to another.

7. God is at work...
• Philippians 1:6 God began a good work in you ,will bring it to completion.
• Philippians 2:13 He is at work in us for his good pleasure.

8. God has promised...
• Romans 4:20-22 He is able to do what He has promised.
• Hebrews 10:23 He who promised is faithful.

9. God is faithful ...
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and 4 God is faithful to strengthen.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 He will do it.
• 1 Corinthians 10:12 and 13 He will provide a way of escape.

10. I will go forward
• 2 Corinthians 4:7-17 …and not lose heart.
• Ephesians 3:14-21 … and be strengthened in my inner man.

Terry and Karen Somerville, www.totalchange.org

February 5, 2009