Everyone has different methods of handling life's challenges. Some methods work better for certain people than others. The reason I say everyone has a method is because as simple and ineffective as someone's method may be, (and I'm not saying that simple is ineffective) it's still what they choose to do in response to adversity. If someone just breaks down into tears everytime they are faced with adversity, well, that's their method.

For those of you who would call upon God in challenging times, this article is for you. So throughout this article I will assume you believe in God. This eliminates the necessity of having to present an argument in favor of God's existence. For that's a whole different topic altogether.

So, let us begin. In business as well as in any other endeavor, when someone wants to achieve favorable results in what they are engaged in, most of the time they mimic the actions of those who preceded them who achieved the kind of results they were looking for in their own lives; hoping that they will achieve similar results. This has been an efficacious method for many, as many biographies of great men and women will teach you.

The Bible IS History. Whether people believe in it or not, the fact remains; it is History. History being defined as a series of events being recorded by those who witnessed those events. Throughout the bible you will find instances of God moving powerfully in the lives of His people. By contrast, you will also find instances of God not doing absolutely anything in the lives of His chosen ones.

The Bible is clear in recording why God moves and sometimes doesn't in the lives of His people.

When God delivered Israel from the grips of the Pharoah of Egypt by the hand of Moses, God's intention was for His people to enter "The Promise Land" and live life abundantly. God's intentions were clear and explicit.

"I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers." Exodus 6:4

So we see here that it was no mystery as to what God's intentions were in regards to the livelihoods of His people. Shortly after the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt they sent spies into the land of Canaan, which The Lord had swore to their forefathers to give to them. Look what the spies that were sent to spy out Cannan told the people of Israel when they returned, "The people who live in the land are strong...we are not able to go up against this people, for they are too strong for us......and we became grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight....would that we had died in the land of Egypt!...or would that we had died in this wilderness!...Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt."

By contrast, look at what Caleb said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we are able to overcome it." Then later Caleb with Joshua said, "If The Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us....neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us, their protection has been removed from them, and The Lord is with us do not fear them."

Now pay close attention to how the crowd responded (the Israelites)..."But all the congregation said to stone them with stones." Look at how The Lord responded; "Surely all these men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it." Now observe if you will and pay close attention to how God responded to Caleb, who believed that God would fulfill His promise to bring The Israelites into Canaan; "My servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.

A few things I want to point out real quickly;

1) "But all the congregation said to stone them with stones."

After Joshua and Caleb spoke words of encouragement to the people of Israel the congregation wanted to stone them. Joshua and Caleb did not do anything wrong to these people but the people wanted to murder them. By trying to help stubborn and unbelieving people take ownership of their birthrite, Joshua and Caleb almost lost their own opportunities to take possession of their birthrite, by losing their own lives. So word to the wise, be careful who you try to help, and associate with. Keep your association with negative people to a minimum. Some people are just determined to stay negative and there is nothing you can do for them. Just state your case and go your way. Watch the naysayers! "To he that has shall more be given, and to he that has not, even that which he has shall be taken away."

Egypt in this story has a literal connotation, a historical connotation, and a metaphorical connotation. We know the literal and historical, but what of the metaphorical? In respect to the metaphorical, there are several metaphors that come to mind and may apply to anyone out there.

1. Egypt represents: Just barely enough to get by

2. Egypt represents: Spiritual Darkness

3. Egypt represents: Feelings of being denied

4. Egypt represents: Lack of Fulfillment

5. Living way below your potential

2) "My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land...."

What did Caleb do that was so different from everyone else? HE BELIEVED! For Caleb said, "We shall overcome it!"

3) "We became as grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

The Israelites rendered more relevance to what they saw then to what God said. That was their first mistake. Despite all that God did for them earlier, they still failed to believe God to give them victory for their current challenge. Don't go by how things are looking, just trust in God! For trust or faith creates an atmosphere for the miraculous. Atmosphere is key. And never, absolutely never, speak about your circumstances as if they are more solid than God's Word. For the flower fades, the grass whithers, but The Word of our Lord stands forever! Do not become stymied by your circumstances.

4) "Why is The Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword?"

This was their fatal mistake that ruined their chances of ever taking possession of what was rightfully theirs. What they saw caused them to conclude that God brought them to fall by the sword. The Word of God was clear about God's plans for their lives, but yet they still spoke against God's Word. And had Moses not interceeded for the people God would have smote them with pestilence and dispossessed them. Watch your words! No matter how things are looking keep your converstaion consistent with God's Word.

5) "For we shall surely overcome it!"

I can really hear Caleb saying this very vividly. I can just feel his enthusiasm in those words. "For we shall surely overcome it!" Not only watch your words but use words to reinforce positive attitudes within your own mind. "FOR YOU SHALL SURELY OVERCOME IT!

So to answer the question, "Can God help us during these times of distress?" ABSOLUTELY! And here's how we position ourselves for the miraculous in our lives.

1. Keep your association with unbelievers and negative believers to a bare minimum. Much less share your dreams, goals, and ambitions with them.

2. You must have the spirit of faith.

3. Refrain from dwelling on negative circumstances or the appearance of "the insurmountable".

4. Never murmor against the promises of God or make negative confessions.

5. Always speak the desired outcome or result.

These tested and tried biblical principles will work wonders for you. The Word of God never fails!

Shalom....