Sometimes in life we find ourselves in difficult places that we never asked to be in. If we aren’t careful we will give up too soon or get frustrated because we don’t understand what God is trying to do in our lives. In this multiple part series I share some lessons we can learn during these difficult times. You can read Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 here.

In my last post, I wrote how our time of difficulty does serve a purpose in our lives and the Lord equips us supernaturally during times of difficulty.

The next step in enduring difficult places is resolving to keep yourself pure from the influences around you. This is easier said than done. One thing I’ve learned is enemy can’t stop the plan of God in our lives, but he can tempt us to make bad decisions to get us off track.

Lesson 6: In your time of captivity you must resolve not to defile yourself with the influences around you.

Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”

In their captivity the young men were being encouraged to consume the same things that everyone else around them was consuming.

Whenever you’re in the land of captivity you cannot consume the same things that everyone else does. You cannot watch the same TV shows or watch the same movies or listen to the same music. You can’t associate with the same people and talk and act the way others around you do. You can’t go to the same places. You can’t drink the same things and talk the same was as everyone else does. We are told to live in this world, but not to be of it.

If the enemy can’t stop us, then he will often try to neutralize us with temptations or sin. I think all of us have seen great ministry leaders lose all credibility and influence because they gave in to temptation or tried to be like everyone else.

Lesson 7: Your promotion follows your time of captivity.

Daniel 1:19, “The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.”

Daniel 2:48-49, “Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.”

Daniel went from being incarcerated to being in charge! He and his friends endured their captivity and when the time was right they were promoted. He went from being held captive to the ruler of the most powerful nation in the world and was promoted over all the other wise men.

God uses our time of difficulty to prepare us for something greater.

Question: What do you think God is preparing you for?

In my last post, I wrote how we have to learn to depend upon the “King” during difficult times and we have to realize our seasons of difficulty are only for an appointed time.

The next step in enduring difficult places is understanding the purpose of it. I’ve learned that if I can understand the purpose behind something, then I can can endure it a little easier. There’s an old saying that says, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” The sugar is the purpose of it all.

Lesson 4: Your time of difficulty is for a purpose.

Daniel 1:5b, “and after that they were to enter the king’s service.”

Your time of captivity is to prepare you for the “King’s” service. God turns our times of difficulty into a time of preparation.

It’s hard to understand how God uses pain in our lives, but Paul reminds us of this in Romans 8:28 when he says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

I have a brother in the Army. Over the course of several years he spent 3 tours in Iraq. Before he was sent off to war he was sent to boot camp for several weeks to get his mind and body ready for the harsh realities of war.

Your time of difficulty is your boot camp! By the way, if you’re a born again Christian, then you’re in a war against the devil.

God doesn’t allow us to go into captivity to leave us there. He allows us to go there to prepare us for service.

If you’re facing difficulty right now, then you need to know God is preparing you for something greater and more significant. It’s not because he’s mad at you, it’s because he trusts you. (Read that again!)

Lesson 5: The Lord equips you supernaturally during your time of difficulty.

Daniel 1:17, “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”

The Lord equipped Daniel and his friends supernaturally while they were in captivity in preparation for their promotion.

If Daniel had not went through this time of equipping he would not have been able to give Nebuchadnezzar the answer to his question.

You are going to meet people down the road in your life who are going to need what you have. They’re going to need answers to life’s difficult questions and you’re going to be one that can help them.

This past year has been one of the hardest years of my life. My family has had more difficulties that I can count or even go into on this blog. Recently, I had breakfast with a friend who was facing some real difficulties in his life. As he confided with me what he had been going through I felt burdened for him. As he shared his story I had a God moment. While he was sharing I quickly realized why God had allowed me to go through so much this year. I went through so much this year because this dear friend was going to need someone to help him get through a similar time in his life. God turned my mess into a ministry!

In your captivity God supernaturally equips you with the gifts and talents that you will need in order to get you to where he needs you.

In Part 4 of this series I will discuss keeping yourself pure while waiting on God and how your promotion almost always follows your difficulty.

Question: How can you use your current difficulty to help someone else?