My phone rang in the middle of the workday, and I saw my realtor's name pop up.  I quickly answered since I knew we were going to finalize the sale of my home soon.  God had asked me to simplify my life, and the sale of my home was the final piece of making my life easier.  It is such an exciting time.

Or at least, that's what I thought.

"I have bad news," he said.  "The deal has fallen through."

He proceeded to give me the details around why the buyers were no longer able to move forward with the contract.  We talked for a little while and made plans to put the house back on the market.  I hung up the phone, feeling defeated. 

God, I am trying to follow what you've told me to do.  I have spent weekend after weekend moving stuff out of my house.  And after all of this, the deal falls through?  Really?

But, you know, sometimes when we follow what God wants us to do, the devil throws obstacles in our way.  Just because we decide to follow what God tells us to do doesn't mean it is going to be easy.  We can bet on one thing, though.  God will teach us lessons through it.

I am not excited about putting the house back on the market.  But I know God will guide me through it.  He never wastes a trial.  He will teach me lessons along the way.  

Have you ever felt like you're trying to walk the right path, but there seems to be challenge after challenge?  Paul said to consider our trials sheer joy because that's when we get to see the Lord work. How do we handle disappointment when trying to follow God?

1.  Have an eternal perspective.  In the grand scheme of things, something like struggling to sell my house is small.  I probably won't even remember it a few years from now.  While it is a challenge I'm facing, when I look at it in the light of eternity, it isn't even a significant challenge.    

Even so, sometimes little things can seem big to us.  During difficult times, we must shift our view of our problems from our eyes to God's eyes.  This gives us eternal perspective.  This important shift moves our mind off of our problems to God's promises.  

Look no further than Isaiah 40 to see what God has to say about our challenges:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

We serve a God that is greater than any challenge we face, big or small.  He will strengthen us through our trials.  

2.  Ask ourselves what is God Teaching me through this? The Bible makes one thing clear: trials produce growth.  We should ask ourselves how is He working through this?  How is He growing me through this trial?  

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

God's purpose needs to prevail in our lives, so it seems logical to ask God how this trial aligns with His purpose for our life. Perhaps He is teaching us patience, or perhaps He is aligning us for an important moment He has planned down the road.  Remember, this trial might not be entirely about you.  Your trial could inspire others and encourage them on their journey as well.

These challenges aren't punishment.  Instead, they are doorways to growth and spiritual maturity.   They are opportunities to walk closely with God and move towards His purpose in our lives.  

3.  Use prayer as a weapon.  We can let prayers of praise be our battle cry through our trials.  Even when we don't feel like it, small prayers of gratitude and trust can change our whole perspective.  

Think of David in the Bible.  He'd been told he would be the future king of Israel.  But, things really weren't going his way.  The current king of Israel, Saul, was trying to kill him.  David was on the run, hiding in caves, hanging out with a bunch of men who had chosen to follow him for whatever reason.  But, these men weren't exactly the cream of the crop of society and had issues of their own.  Many were criminals.  Others were exiles.  I would imagine they weren't the greatest of company at times.  

In the lowest point of his life, David used the caves of his exile as a training ground.  In the midst of his pain and loneliness, he led the men around him.  He created an army.  They practiced.  They trained.  His trial was making him stronger, making him into warrior, and getting him ready for battle. 

He wrote:  Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1)

Remember, your trials aren't revenge by God for your sins.  They are opportunities to trust the Lord and take refuge in Him, just like David did.  No trial is wasted, and you will come through this with strengthened faith.