Winning in Tough Times

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ

Psalms 27:1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. 

Confidence wins – fear loses

  • Fear does not serve you well; confidence always lifts your life
  • Fear shrinks your world and creates monsters
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
  • Hebrews 10:35 “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”
  • Choose faith to run your life; confidence in God, His word, His power, His faithfulness

Prioritize God’s house

  • Psalms 27:4 “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.”
  • David learned a secret that He repeated over and over in Psalms: God has a house
  • David loved the house of God because he loved the God of the house
  • David prioritized God’s house in his heart and life
  • In tough times and good times, prioritize the house of God in your life

Lift your head with worship

  • You have to know where to go and what to do on your day of trouble
  • Don’t isolate, separate, or insulate. Your mind can do crazy things when you’re isolated.
  • Open your mouth and let – make – words come out to worship God
  • Worship lifts your head

Seek God’s face

  • Seeking God’s hand is what He can do for you; seeking His face is seeking a relationship
  • God can and will do things for you; He loves to do that
  • When you have a relationship with God, all He has to help you becomes yours

Learn God’s ways

  • Psalms 27:11 “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes.”
  • God is mysterious and wonderful, beyond comprehension; but some of God’s ways are just as plain as can be
  • Don’t forsake assembling together, honor God with your tithe, pray without ceasing, be thankful in everything, love people, forgive

Completely trust in God’s goodness

  • Psalms 27:13-14 “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. 
  • We can look forward to heaven but also know that God is good now
  • Don’t let a tough season fool you into thinking God isn’t good and he’s planning good for your life