Three Things Will Get You Through Tribulation

Acts 14:22

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Tribulation is a part of life. You cannot get through life without facing hard times. However, it is how we face the hard times that determines whether they become a tool for God to use us mightily or a tool of Satan that causes us to quit. Many have proclaimed that they would never quit, but when the hard times came, they quickly melted under the pressure and quit. Then there are those who never really said what they would do when the hard times came, but when they came, they continued and became God's tool to do something great.

As Paul and Barnabas visited the churches, the Scriptures teach that they did three things in every church. These three things that they did is what allowed the people in every church to continue through much tribulation. It is interesting that God did not say that they would go through tribulation, but through much tribulation. Let me share the three things these men did that everyone must have in their lives if they will continue through much tribulation.

First, you must have an assurance of your salvation. You will notice in the verse above that the first thing Paul and Barnabas did was they confirmed the souls of the disciples. Confirming the souls of the disciples is simply reminding them that they are saved. Now, why is it important that we are assured of our salvation? The reason why it is important is because it reminds us that God is with us no matter what we face in life. When you are going through hard times and facing much tribulation, you must rest in the fact that you are always saved no matter what you face. Tribulation may take everything from you, but one thing they can't take from you is your salvation. Resting in the assurance of your salvation is the first step of making it through much tribulation.

Second, you will make it through much tribulation by receiving encouragement from the brethren. You will notice that Paul and Barnabas exhorted people as they went to each church. Hebrews 10:25 teaches us that one reason we attend church is to receive exhortation. You will never face much tribulation successfully by missing church. The best way to face tribulation is to go to church. You may not feel like going to church, but it would be wise to be in church so you can receive the exhortation to continue in much tribulation. You can be miserable at home in much tribulation, or you can go to church and receive the exhortation to continue through much tribulation. Your faithfulness to church will determine whether you crumble or continue in tribulation.

Third, you will make it through much tribulation by continuing. Continuing is simply having routines that dictate what you do no matter what you are facing in life. You will notice that they continued in the faith. The way to make it through much tribulation is to set good routines in serving God, and when much tribulation comes, keep doing those routines. Routines have a way of forcing you to put one foot in front of the other despite whatever you are facing. It takes courage and tenacity to continue in the faith, but continuing in the faith with spiritual routines is what allows you to face each day successfully through much tribulation. When much tribulation comes, do what you have always done in the faith, and you will find that God will give you the strength to continue in your tribulations.