Do you want to be an effective witness for the Lord?  Of course, you do.

So what’s the key?

Handing out tracts in the workplace or leaving them wedged in the mirrors of public restrooms.  Maybe.

How about telling people how Jesus has changed your life?  Okay, we’re on the right track.

What about when you laugh and sing praises to our Lord?

Can that be an effective witness for the Lord?

Yes, according to Psalm 126:2 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

“Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.”

Some people say. . .Brother Harold, things are so stressful that I can’t be filled with laughter.  There’s nothing to laugh about.

That’s simply not true.

If you're drawing breath on planet earth...there will come moments...times of adversity when you wonder what to do next.

In these moments...your solace will not be found at the local watering hole commiserating with someone as lost as a goose in a blizzard.

Your answer will not be found in extended conversations with friends about why it's unfair you have to deal with these situations.

Here are seven things to do when trouble strikes.

1.      When you’re disappointed

Here’s the great news. . .regardless of the intensity of the enemy’s attack. . .you never need to be put to shame or disappointed.

I realize that’s a bold statement. . . but there are eight verses in the Classic Amplified Bible translation which say exactly that.  Here are three of them to claim and put your confidence in.

Psalm 25:3 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.”

Psalm 25:20 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You.”

Jeremiah 29:11 has always been one of my favorite scriptures and today the Lord showed me 9 powerful thoughts He has toward YOU. 

1. God is thinking about you

You’re very blessed if you have a Mom and Dad who think about you. . . you’re blessed when your spouse and children are thinking about you. . .it’s nice when your boss is thinking about you. . .it’s a joy knowing that you have friends who are thinking about you.

But the best thing of all is when you have the scriptural assurance that the Master of the Universe. . .the Creator of Heaven and earth. . .your Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. . .you Jehovah Shalom. . .your God of peace. . . is thinking about you . . . that is so awesome it defies description!

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

^“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

I want you to get this . . . God is thinking about YOU.

You may have felt that nobody knew you were alive.  Maybe that includes your family.  . .but that’s just not true . . . because God, your Heavenly Father, is thinking about you.

Psalm 40:17 in The Living Bible says:

“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now!”

Make no mistake about it. . .if God promises you something. . .makes a covenant with you. . .it’s going to happen.

Your circumstances don’t matter. . .the problems that you’re currently facing can’t keep you from them/  Only be obedient to His Word.

Having said that. . .let me tell you there are going to be times when you wonder what’s going on. . .simply because you may not be able to perceive that God is working to manifest them to you.

During these times. . .it’s critical to understand there is an enemy waiting in the shadows hoping to veer you off course – his goal is knock you out so you NEVER manifest God’s promises.

God miraculously delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  His promises were confirmed through signs and wonders and finally the children of Israel were marching out of tyranny into freedom. . .destined for the Promised Land as His promises were manifested.

The children of Israel encountered some adversity in their journey to freedom and abundance.  They may have felt dismayed but that never altered the promises of God.  His goal was the same as in the beginning.  They may have wondered but God never wavered.

Exodus 34:10 says:

Make no mistake about it. . .if God promises you something. . .makes a covenant with you. . .it’s going to happen . . . unless you somehow violate His instructions or turn from your course.  Your circumstances don’t matter. . .the problems that you’re currently facing don’t matter. . . but your obedience to His Word does.

Having said that. . .let me tell you there are going to be times when you wonder what’s going on. . .simply because you may not be able to perceive that God is working in and through your life to manifest His precious promises.

During these times. . .it’s critical to understand there is definitely an enemy waiting in the shadows hoping to veer you off course – his goal is knock you out so you NEVER manifest God’s promises.

God miraculously delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  His promises were confirmed through signs and wonders and finally the children of Israel were marching out of tyranny into freedom. . .destined for the Promised Land as His promises were manifested.

The children of Israel encountered some adversity in their journey to freedom and abundance.  They may have felt dismayed but that never altered the promises of God.  His goal was the same as in the beginning.  They may have wondered but God never wavered.

Exodus 34:10 says: