Strength in the Storm: Trusting God Through Every Test

The battle is real, and it’s happening all around us. Every day, we face a choice—will we walk in the fullness of God’s promises, or will we allow the enemy to steal what’s been given to us? Jesus made His mission crystal clear when He said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” — John 10:10 (NKJV).

Satan works tirelessly to set traps that weaken our faith. His goal? To steal our joy, kill our hope, and destroy our destiny. But Jesus didn’t just come to save us from sin—He came to give us abundant life. He paid the price for our spiritual freedom and physical healing, as 1 Peter 2:24 reminds us: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

Yet, so many believers walk in defeat, unaware of the fullness of what’s available to them. The problem isn’t that God has withheld anything—it’s that we often don’t fully believe or understand His promises. The Word is clear: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” — Numbers 23:19.

God’s truth is unchanging. He doesn’t shift with the culture or bend to human reasoning. His Word is eternal and His promises endure, whether we choose to walk in them or not.

The Danger of Compromise

In these last days, compromise has crept into the Church. Many believers are dimming their light, blending into the darkness instead of standing against it. But that is not God’s will for us. His desire is that we press deeper into Him—seeking His presence, living by His Word, and refusing to compromise.

The world may grow darker, but as followers of Jesus, we are called to shine brighter. However, this doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a conscious choice to reject compromise and pursue intimacy with God. James 4:8 gives us the key: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

This is not a time for passive faith. It’s time for action. The remnant Church is rising—an army of believers who refuse to bow to the pressures of the world. These are the ones who will stand firm when the storms come.

A Time of Testing is Coming

Difficult days are ahead, and the time for preparation is now. Persecution and tribulation will test the hearts of all who claim to follow Jesus. As Revelation 3:10 warns: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

The phrase “keep you” here is the Greek word tereo, meaning “to watch over, preserve, or guard.” This doesn’t mean God will remove us from the trial but that He will preserve those who remain faithful. He’s calling His people to endure—to stand firm in the fire rather than flee from it.

Many want to escape difficulty, but Jesus calls us to overcome it. Trials purify us and reveal where our trust truly lies. If we follow His lead, we will emerge stronger, refined by His power. But that refining only happens when we trust Him in the midst of the storm.

Walking in Victory, Not Defeat

When we look at John 10:10, it’s easy to think that following Jesus means a life without trouble. But in truth, choosing to follow Him puts us in direct opposition to the enemy. We’ve been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God—and Satan doesn’t take that lightly.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23

We are called to walk in victory—not bound by sin, sickness, or oppression. The enemy will try to keep us shackled, but we have been given everything we need to break free. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of God’s Word, we can resist the enemy and walk in the freedom Jesus paid for.

Now is the Time to Choose

We’re standing at a crossroads. The time for preparation is almost over. God is calling His people to stand firm, to reject compromise, and to walk in unwavering faith. The question is—will we answer that call?

Don’t wait until the storm is raging. Press into Jesus now. Stand on His promises. Trust Him to preserve and strengthen you through the trials ahead. Because those who remain faithful will not only endure, but emerge victorious, ready to reign with Him when He returns.

The choice is yours. Will you step into the fullness of what God has for you? Remember, With God, nothing is impossible.

God bless you,
Dale and Paula Black