VICTORY: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET HIT WITH A CHALLENGE

August 7, 2026

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13

1. RUN TO GOD WITH IT. When the Flood of ’93 hit our church, I cried out to God, feeling stressed and stretched beyond anything I’d experienced before. And then the Lord downloaded some directives to me and showed me what steps to take. As feeble as my initial steps were, God’s strength was supplied, and in the midst of that obstacle, God began to show opportunity. I don’t know what situations you’re facing, but God does. And He has attention to detail. And He can, will, and does supply wisdom (James 1:5).

2. REPOSITION IN THE WORD OF GOD. Whenever you’re hit with something, get a hold of your Bible. Read your Bible in different ways – read through a book, read just a chapter, think on and ponder a verse. Musician Billy Joel recounted Roger Daltrey saying, “I like you, you write these chewy lyrics.” Billy said he had never thought about songs that way – that you could “chew” on them. I like that description. But how much more can you chew on a Scripture than a pop song or a current wind of ideas. The Word is infinitely more living and active and alive and effective (Hebrews 4:12). In addition to reading your Bible, also listen to it, speak it out loud, and write down Scriptures when you are meditating on them. Research shows that handwriting something will help you process it more deeply than typing it on your computer or phone.

God is not the author of your problems. He is the author of the promises. Not everything comes from God, but everything can and will be used by God.

3. DO NOT LET YOUR EMOTIONS RULE YOU. There are so many videos on YouTube of road rage where people flip out. And God would not have us be out of control. I’m not telling you to just be stoic, but I am telling you to trust God and not blurt out the first thing that comes to you in an argument. Bridle your tongue. Meditate on James 3 for a while. We have to discipline ourselves.

4. SEE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRUST GOD AND GROW. Failure is never final. Take all the challenges you face and become somebody who is maturing and growing instead of coasting. God is not the author of your problems. He is the author of the promises. Not everything comes from God, but everything can and will be used by God (Romans 8:28). Your potential to go from where you are now into a new level is articulated four times in the Bible: from faith to faith (Romans 1:17), from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18), from grace to grace (John 1:16), and from strength to strength (Psalm 84:7). You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)!

vic·to·ry, noun

A defeat of an enemy or opponent. A success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle.

SAY THIS OUT LOUD:

I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In all these things I overwhelmingly conquer through God who loves me (Romans 8:37). God is not the author of my problems. He’s the author of the promises. I am in a winning season. I’m learning, I’m growing, and I will fulfill my call.

^{Copyright © 2026 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.”Victory, N.” American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Harper Collins Publishers, 2022, https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=victory. Billy Joel, interview by Rick Beato, transcript edited by Pangambam S., “Transcript: Rick Beato Interviews Billy Joel,” The Singju Post, July 18, 2026, https://singjupost.com/transcript-rick-beato-interviews-billy-joel/}