HOW TO OVERCOME A REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (PART 1 OF 2)

21^st OCTOBER 2019

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and God” – Psalm 42:5

Have you once experienced a setback? It’s a part of living on planet earth that we should experience setbacks. Chuck Swindoll described the Christian journey as “Three steps forward, two steps back.” How do we deal with those unforeseen events that seem to set us back in life? The action taken by King David when his wives and children were kidnapped is often used to illustrate how to respond to a disappointment, crisis, or setback. You will recall that Saul became the number one enemy of David as soon as David was anointed a king over Israel. David ran away from home, hiding away from Saul so that Saul would not find him or kill him. It is also noteworthy that David was also afraid of killing Saul because Saul was the Lord’s anointed. In order to overcome his problems, David joined forces with the Philistines against Israel his people. This was at a time when the Philistines decided to fight against Israel. The action of David by joining forces with the Philistines was not good at all. As you may recall, the Philistines were the arch enemies of the Israelite. However, the Philistines being afraid that David might turn against them in the course of the battle, decided to send David away. David had no choice but to return to his people hoping to begin a normal life once again. But he was wrong; on returning home with his men, they met the city burnt, and their wives and children were taken captives. This was a great disaster and a major setback for David and his men. They had just lost everything they ever worked and lived for! What would you do if you hit an unexpected reversal of fortune as David and his men encountered in the above passage? For instance, what would anyone do if he suddenly loses a close relation in a car or plane crash, or even in the course of an ill-health? What would you do when you had thought you might get a promotion, some kind of elevation and instead, you get laid off or even rejected outright? Many of the challenges we face in life do not have to destroy us, rather, they should strengthen us to greater heights.  We must respond to these things in a godly way like David did (Ref. 1 Samuel 30). Some of the things David did are templates for us in times of crisis. Although David had wept, like a man after God’s own heart, he took solace and courage in God and His promises. David encouraged himself in the LORD….” He found strength in the Lord. So also, we must do in times of crisis. Believe in God and his promises. Take the decision to move forward today by praying this simple prayer: “God give me the strength of David so I can overcome this unfortunate incident”. Ask God to take away every spirit of reproach and shame far away from you. Live each passing day by actually seeing and believing that your fortune is being restored. While you do these, also follow the good examples of David as he worked and prayed daily to overcome his reversal of fortune.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ rescue me from the hands of demons and give me the power and grace to experience a way forward in my life. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: John 10:10).