Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
Life is a journey filled with twists, turns, and tests that often leave us asking: “How do I get through this?” In moments of pain, confusion, and uncertainty, we quickly learn that human strength alone is never enough. But there is hope – through the powerful words of Jesus in John 16:33, we are reminded that victory is not found in avoiding challenges, but in learning to rise above them through Christ. In this article, we’ll discover that the secret to overcoming life’s challenges lies in one simple truth – your ability to hear God’s voice. When you can hear Him clearly, you’ll find direction in the storm, peace in the chaos, and courage to keep moving forward. In this article titled “Overcoming life’s challenges,” we discover how to move from being overwhelmed by the world to overcoming it. Be blessed as you read!
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Do you face significant challenges in life but struggle to overcome them? Imagine how much easier it would be if you could hear God clearly. Not only would it help you solve your problems, but it could also help you avoid them altogether. I want to discuss how the Holy Spirit can reveal things to come. Did you know that God is always speaking? If you’re not aware of this, you might not be hearing Him, and this could be one reason you’re experiencing difficulties in life. Being able to hear God clearly could not only guide you out of your problems but also help you steer clear of them in the first place. Honestly, I don’t understand how anyone can navigate life’s challenges without hearing God’s voice. It is absolutely essential! Yet, many Christians go through life unaware that God is speaking to them, let alone how to recognise it. If this resonates with you, I have some good news that can really help.
God is always speaking, and you can learn to discern whether you are hearing from God, the devil, or simply your own heart and desires. There are four fundamental ways God communicates with people: through Scripture (the Bible, which is the ultimate Word of God), the Holy Spirit (an inner voice), your conscience, and your spirit. To live as an overcomer, you need guidance, and the Holy Spirit can provide it. Did you know that the Holy Spirit will guide you and reveal future events, both negative and positive? Many Christians, including those who are born again, are unaware of this. The focus of this article is on how God can show us future challenges posed by the enemy, which enables us to live victoriously. Unfortunately, most Christians do not recognise this truth. This article aims to help you effectively avert, avoid, or counter the enemy’s plans.
John 16:12-13 says, 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth and even reveal things to come. How beneficial would it be for God to inform you about an impending train wreck or that the plane you’re about to board might go down? Not only does the Holy Spirit provide insight into the future, but He will also remind you of what Jesus said (John 14:26). It’s important to rely on Him to supernaturally quicken revelation in your life so that you can live as an overcomer. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten us about our future – the plans God has for us, the exciting opportunities ahead, and the assurance that we are more than conquerors, victorious, and empowered to overcome.
" God is always speaking, and you can learn to discern whether you are hearing from Him, the devil, or simply your own heart and desires. "
Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”. Another translation suggests that God will lead you to your expected end. If God is guiding you toward that outcome, then you are an overcomer, because the all-powerful and all-knowing God will help you reach your goal. Therefore, it’s important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance; He will reveal things to come and help you overcome the enemy’s plans. The word “peace” encompasses prosperity, conveying that it is not intended for evil but to provide you with a hopeful future. In verse 12, it says, 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart”. So, God is telling us that He has plans for us, and those plans are not harmful. He’s not keeping His plans a secret from us. Even though we face challenges, we can trust that no weapon formed against us will succeed. God has a future in store for us, but it doesn’t happen automatically. We must seek the Lord to understand the plans He has for our future.
My brother and sister, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you your future, His plan for your life, the prosperity He has in store for you, and the calling you have. If you set aside time to seek Him, He will show you things to come. He will also reveal the enemy’s plans for our lives, which many Christians are unaware of. Often, when the Lord tries to inform them about the enemy’s schemes, they simply rebuke it and walk right into the trap. They don’t understand why they end up in difficulties or experience problems. I assure you, the Holy Spirit will show you negative things to come, not because God is planning something negative for you – He has declared His plans for you are filled with peace, offering you a hopeful future. Those plans are not evil. Instead, the Holy Spirit reveals the enemy’s evil plans, not for you to accept them, but so you can stop them, avert them, or avoid them altogether.
In Acts 27:10, Paul says, “I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” What does this mean? God revealed to the Apostle Paul the negative events that were about to unfold, and that is exactly what happened. Although their lives were ultimately spared, they experienced a shipwreck due to the storm. The Holy Spirit was indicating to Paul that he should warn the ship’s owner and the centurion about the impending danger, but they did not believe him. As a result, they encountered that severe storm. It was the enemy’s plan to endanger all their lives; however, God forewarned Paul about the storm. Paul prayed, and I believe it was his prayers and faith that helped save them, ensuring their lives were spared.
In Acts 21, the Holy Spirit revealed Agabus’s vision of an evil plan by the enemy to use the Jews of Jerusalem to attack Paul. They intended to bind him. Even though Paul continued on his path, he was at least forewarned about the impending danger. Similarly, in Luke 22:31-32, Jesus speaks to Peter, saying, “Simon, Simon, indeed Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Here, Jesus tells Peter that the devil has a plan to bring him down, but He has prayed for him to protect his faith. There are many Bible verses that demonstrate how the Holy Spirit reveals future events to us. While the things He shows us are often positive and affirming, He also reveals the enemy’s plans for our lives. This way, we can avoid the trials and experiences that the enemy intended for us.
I’ve met many Christians who have experienced tragedy and difficulties. If they reflect on those times, they often realise that the Holy Spirit was trying to warn them in advance. In Matthew 2, the passage discusses the wise men and their journey. It says…in verse 11, “And when they’d come into the house” (this is when they found where Jesus was and they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshiped him) and when they had worshiped him, they opened their treasures, presented him gold, frankincense, and myrrh”. Then verse 12 says, “then being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country in another way. God spoke to the wise men, instructing them to take another route. They were not to return and reveal the location of Jesus. The very next verse says, and now when they had departed behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying arise take the young child and his mother flee to Egypt and stay there until I bring you word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. God is saying, I want you to overcome the enemy’s plan.
