Get a hold of yourself . . .

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

You weren't invited . . . again.

She isn't returning your texts.

You are not ready for that exam and it is tomorrow.

Someone found out that you weren't reporting your tips.

Looks like the car repair is going to cost a lot . . .

All of us have trouble.  It comes whether we want it or not.  Some of it is self-inflicted.  We pushed when we should have prayed.  Sometimes trouble comes from friends who meant well and sometimes it just hits us blindside.  No matter where it comes from, it is never welcome.

Trouble can make us feel like we will never get out from under it.  

We might never get out from under, but we can get through.  God Himself told us that we will always have problems.  So get over it.  There will always be trouble (period).  But really it isn't the trouble, it what to do in the midst of it that is hard.   

What are the next steps?  
How do I proceed?

Looking at the verse above, it is plain to see that getting through difficulty is a relational thing. We get through it with the help of God.  How?  One one-step-at-a-time.

You can have peace in the midst of trial by taking small, righteous steps.  Get a hold of yourself.  God knows everything about you, this will not defeat you.  Stop panicking - you know exactly what to do.  Wherever you are in your problem, make sure that every step you take from here on out is small, prayed for and good.  No amount of conniving, lying, deceiving, manipulating and coercing will get you where you need to be.  

Take a deep breath.  Turn away from trying to control the situation.  Now, pray about your next move and make your next steps small (so you can pull back if needed) and righteous (so that you know God purposed it).  If you take ten small, righteous, prayed-for steps you will have taken one huge step in the right direction.

And you will never be outside of God's will.