In Trouble

...do you seem to be on a spiritual hit list?

Within your belief system, what should you do when you're in trouble? Check all that apply.


plead Cry out for help
patiently wait Wait with patience for rescue
counsel Consult only leaders
my deliverer Refocus on your God
efforts and works Work harder
move on Ignore trouble
visualization Visualize a time when you're past it
spiritual warfare Take stand against evil forces
social action Trust community to help
supportive friends Rally peers for help
divination Use a discerning/predicting device
repentance Repent of attitudes and offenses
prayer request Ask others for prayer
laying on of hands Ask for others to place hands on you during prayer
confession good for soul Admit sins publicly
what goes around Do something nice for someone else
fasting Improve diet, start a cleansing fast
votive Light candles
lent Sacrifice something of worth to you
rejoice and give thanks Sing
meditation Meditate
anoint Have oil or ash or herbs applied
solitude Go by yourself for time of testing and preparation
declare the word Speak promises
confirm Speak truths
forgiveness Forgive others
restore relationships Ask others to forgive you
correction Confront a member who has sinned
resist the devil Rebuke powers working against you
build faith Talk about past miracles and victories
praise and thanksgiving Praise your God
worship celebration Clap, shout, dance
blind faith Believe in victory despite what you see
exercise wisdom Be responsible
strategy Make a plan
cleansing breath Breathe deep
plan of action Strategize
root of problem Find who's at fault
revenge Retaliate
wait on God Deliberate until you make a wise decision
wisdom Pray for wisdom
report offense Ask authorities to deal with someone holding you back
action Take charge of your life
respect authority Submit to leadership
grow up Make your own decisions
obedience to word Refer to text as guide for decisions
elders Ask for prayer from reliable group of strong believers
intercessors Ask for prayer from designated prayer team
prayer partner Ask for prayer from close friend
recitation Recite passages of text
declaration of hope Declare that today can be the best day of your life
react Take quick action
negotiate Hash it out with someone who holds you back
mediation Mediate with the resistance
watch and pray Intense prayer exceeding an hour
relax Retreat by yourself to settle your spirit
solution Other:



colorHighlight the actions above that you feel are the most important.
inWith a different color or symbol, highlight the ones you believe will work for you.





Recall a time when one of these methods brought results.





How many times did you repeat the actions?





How strong was your faith that things could change?





Was anyone else supporting you in this effort?





How long before you saw a change in circumstances?





What control, power or authority are you given over your circumstances?





What kind of help does your God offer over these situations?





Do you need to ask before you get help, or increase your faith level, relax, or do something to deserve more help?





What are some wild and crazy methods you've heard others used for control over situations?






What are the some of the troubles you find yourself in?

debt Bills not paid
chronic pain Debilitating physical pain
emotional abuse Abuse
slander Your words hurt others
fear Fear of future attacks
death Lost several friends or family
hurts Troubling memories
ailment Unknown physical ailment
unemployed Can't find a job
procrastination Deliberating on decisions
twisted Words slip out the wrong way
overspending Buying more than you need
disabled Physical impairment
controlled Controlled by others
reputation Unable to influence
discernment Considering reporting someone
gamer Addicted to games
homeless Nowhere to live
confused Can't find direction for life
served Legal trouble
invested Bad investments
frazzled Lacking privacy
alone Losing friendships
overburdened Too many people rely on you
depression Depressed
arrested DWI
nearby danger Can't protect children
convictions Traffic tickets
selfish People don't return your generosity
harried Need personal space
single Can't find a companion
gambling Lottery overspending
misunderstood Others misunderstand you
time value Need more time
holding the bag Absorb others' failures
broke Financially strapped
pregnant Unplanned pregnancy
irritated Angry with someone
innocent Accused of crime
alcohol Drink more than you plan to
clinical depression Depressed
bullied Harassed
enabling Resent hiding secrets
accused Accused of negligence
debilitating illness Health problems increasing
troubles Other:







How many of these do you feel you had no control over?





Do others accuse you of problems you don't have?








What does the Bible say about troubles?


God is our refuge and strength and ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV



How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now that we have been justified by his death, we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, how much more can we be sure that, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 5:9 NJB



And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.

Philippians 4:19 TLB



Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:24 NIV



The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 9:9 NIV



...You will call me, 'My husband', no more will you call me, 'My Baal.'
I shall betroth you in uprightness and justice, and faithful love and tenderness.
For faithful love is what pleases me, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.

Hosea 2:18, 21

Hosea 6:6 NJB



And Jesus answered them, "truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. Snd whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Matthew 21:21-22 RSV



Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

I Peter 5:7 NIV



Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NIV



Look up other verses online




God, show me how to lean on You when I think I need to scramble and sew things back together. You say that You want me to ask You for help when I'm in trouble, and You will deliver me. I don't always deserve it. None of us do.

Help me see change as the catalyst to the next step. I don't want to be locked up by fear. I want to exude a confidence in You, a trust that You will put my situation back in order as I listen to Your promptings. I might have made some bad choices, and have the potential to make them again. Please give me the strength to resist. Keep me so connected with You that I can relax again and know that my steps are ordered.

Bring supportive people into my life, ones that carry the solutions and ones that care about where my decisions lead me. Bring people into my life who need to know how others got through the same dilemmas. You are one who forgives over and over.

Help me avoid wasting time in accomplishing my goals. You are one who doesn't worry about the time like we do, since You see the whole universe, the whole time line. Give me a glimpse of how Your kingdom moves forward.

You are the one who can shake down thick walls, make a walking path in the waters, heal those who approach You. You have reprimanded people for not believing that You'd help, for scurrying to tape our lives back together when You have the superglue. Some pieces might not fit like they used to, some need to be tossed and replaced. Help me accept the new design.

Protect me in Your arms. Put a blockade around me from the judgment of others. I will not absorb their oppression. I will move forward in Your forgiveness. Thank you for where You've led me so far, and for caring about me.


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