How to survive trying times

As an engineer the first rule I learned in writing my computer program was GIGO (Garbage In - Garbage Out).  Your output is going to be garbage because you wrote garbage. Our thought life is the same; fill your mind with garbage and garbage will be manifested in your life. How you survive these trying times will depend on what you fill your heart and mind with. If you focus on the negative and what the Enemy is doing or has done all the time you are actually filling your mind with the work of the Enemy. If you turn it around and think about what God is doing you will fill your mind with the goodness of God. Whichever one you do the most of will be what comes out of you. 

We also have a responsibility to understand that God will not bless the garbage in our life. It is illogical to think that you can live anyway you want and then ask God to bless your mess. Only way to survive is to live according to His commandments. Jesus said, " If you love me you will keep my commandments." Right living gives you a solid ground to stand on.  You will not be shaken when you see vile, corrupt and heartless leaders, because you have meditated on God's word and you know what He has or has not said. Peter warns us in his second letter to the church that among the people there were also false prophets, just as there will be false teachers.  Under false pretenses they will introduce destructive heresies, even denying Jesus. Many will follow their debaucheries; and because of them the true Way (church) will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated stories.

The only way to survive these trying times with false teachers and heartless leaders is to know Him and the power of His resurrection. Example of knowing the ways and work of God is illustrated in my Mom's response to various things that happened in our life. For example, once the doctor told us that one of my sisters would die because of a serious health issue; Mom said, "God didn't tell me that", and my sister did not die.   How could she say this with so much confidence? She knew the word of God and she thought about him often and prayed without ceasing daily. She had a personal relationship with God. She also knew the Enemy actions and had the gift of discernment. She could recognize the Enemy moves instantly. When the Enemy would come through a preacher who did not teach the truth of God's Word, she said, " The Lord didn't say that. That is nothing but the Devil." 
You can survive when you know the tricks and move of the Enemy. You can survive if you know the Word of God. When the Enemy comes you will know it is the Enemy and if you are wise you will not let his words fill your mind.

Prayer: Father help me to take the time to know you and know your Word.  Please protect me from the Evil One. Give me the discernment to know  your voice and know when the Enemy is trying to deceive me. I need your to survive. In Jesus' Name, I ask. Amen

Blessings and Mercy,

Patricia