This month's testimony is entitled:

Submitted by Amanda, site moderator.

Alot of new Christians get highly discouraged when bad things happen. They start to lose faith and wonder if God is really on their side. I know, I was there once. But let me tell you something, God is for us and never against us. All of the bad and all of the obstacles you face as a Christian are from Satan. But here's why that's a good thing.

  • 1) The challenges we face strengthen us for the purpose God has prepared for us. They also teach us to always call on Him in our time of trouble.
  • 2) The more obstacles Satan throws your way, the more you know you are doing the right thing. Satan isn't going to just sit back and watch while you carry out God's will, he's going to try his best to stop you. So what you have to do is keep going in spite of the obstacles, therefore in spite of the devil. Obstacles are normal, not the exception for a Christian. The Bible itself even says so:
    Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
    ~1 Peter 4:12-13
  • 3) Satan can only tell you lies. It is physically impossible for him to tell you the truth. So whenever you get into temptation or feel Satan tugging at you, do the exact opposite. Personally, I see this as the biggest back-firing thing Satan could ever do. He basically directs your path, because he tells you what's wrong. Do the opposite and you're good to go!

    And the reason all of this has been on my heart lately is because Satan has thrown many many obstacles my way, but I have overcome them. And there is no greater joy than knowing you have defeated Satan, even if it is in the tiniest of battles. I want to give a couple of verses to you guys about this:

    Since He Himself has gone through suffering and temptation, He is able to help us when we are being tempted. ~Hebrews 2:18

    Consider Him who endured such oppositoin from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
    ~Hebrews 12:3-4

    Always remember, no matter what happens to you, Jesus went through something far worse. If you pray to Him and ask for His help, He will "provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13)."


    To submit your testimony, send your first name, e-mail address, the title of your testimony, and the testimony itself to monthlytestimony@hardcoredevotion.cjb.net.


    Verses come from the King James version of the Bible, the New King James version of the Bible, and God's Little Lessons for Teens (copyright © 2001 Honor Books), which uses many different translations of the Bible.