May 31, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
This past year, I have had several things happen to me that have been quite challenging. They’ve seemed like fiery arrows attacking me personally, and have given me pause, questioning what I am doing in teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is it worth all of this resistance?
In my writings, I have been exposing the deception of my former religion, and replacing it with the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Doing this has brought me substantial personal loss with my family, friends, neighbors, and even, my own spouse. I have never experienced such a time in my life where I feel so alone, and isolated from the people that I love.
Those arrows in satan’s quiver have indeed caused me heartache. They have turned me back to God asking that I be released from my “calling?” This plea has actually happened SIX different times now. I Often feel that I am just causing division, rather than bringing people to Christ. Each time, I deeply seek the answer to “is this worth continuing?”
Then I receive an answer from God that is always the same. What I am doing is not for personal gain, but for something far more important. I see every detail regarding what lies before all of mankind: the final 7 years on earth, and the danger that many are walking into without a care in the world.
I see the uninformed, and realize the solution for them already exists, yet they just are not aware of it yet. Through the teachings from God, I know that I possess what these people are looking for, and what they need right not. I am driven to continue on with my “calling” in search for even one person that is seeking my assistance. One person that will see the gospel of Jesus Christ as exactly what they have been searching for. Yes, I’ll get back in the fight!
But how does a person continue on, in spite of such personal loss? How are we to jump back into the game, when it feels like we are causing the team to lose? How does a person keep going when they are surrounded by overwhelming casualties of friendships and personal loss?
Jokingly in my mind, this morning I said to myself, “I see Job more as a colleague, than just a unique story in the Bible.” Little did I realize that his experience was what I need to study today, to find the answers to my prayers.
Job – Losing All, but Gaining Something Greater
The story of Job is one of the most powerful examples in the Bible of a man who lost nearly everything, yet gained something far greater through his faith in God.
Job was described as “perfect and upright”, and one that respected God, and rejected evil. Yet in a short period of time, he lost his wealth, his livestock, his servants, and all ten of his children. Even his health was taken from him, and he was afflicted with painful boils from head to foot. Despite this unimaginable suffering, Job worshipped God and declared:
“The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
— Job 1:21
“Blessed be the name of the Lord? How could he say this? He acknowledged that God was the one giving AND taking away… Incredible! My situation was not this propound. My challenges were coming from the adversary, not God.
I knew that God had given me all of the positive aspects in my life, but, my situation of personal attack is coming from the adversary. This fueled my desire to continue learning from Job, for we were no longer colleagues, his example was far more advanced…and…he was successful with his trial. I had to learn how he did this.
I again could identify when learning that Job struggled, questioned, and grieved deeply. These were relatable emotions that I had. It was challenging for him, just as it has been challenging for me.
Job didn’t proceed through his challenge as if it were no big deal. Those losses hurt him, just as they are hurting me. I could certainly identify with the feelings of his loss, but now the important part…How did he push through?
Job’s Successful Strategy in Continuing Forward
Job proceeded through his trials in a way that can teach every believer how to endure suffering while remaining faithful to God. There is nothing more effective than to learn from someone who actually experienced something first hand. Let’s take a moment and see how Job successfully moved forward through his challenge.
1. He worshipped instead of cursing God.
When Job lost his wealth, servants, and children, his first response was not anger but worship:
“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,” Job 1:20
Even in grief, he acknowledged God’s sovereignty:
“The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
Well, this seems impossible! I actually have had times in my life when I have been angry at God, have you? As hard as this seems, I believe that it is key to job’s success. He never lost focus on what God had given him, AND the importance that God was in his life.
Even though this seems like an impossible thing to do, I will ask for God’s help in making this part of MY plan forward.
2. He remained faithful even when he did not understand.
Job never learned why these events happened. He had no knowledge of the conversation between God and Satan recorded in Job 1–2. Are you even aware of this “deal” that God and satan discussed? If not, it is indeed something worth studying. It makes Jobs experience even move profound.
However, this points to a very common challenge that all of us encounter. We sometimes don’t know why hardships are happening to us. This is my case on occasion. Many of us even think, why all of this difficulty when I am being so devoted to God right now? Let’s continue learning from Job.
Job walked by faith when there were no answers.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” Job 13:15
He trusted God, regardless of what was happening to him personally. His focus was set on Him, rather than the hardships. This is very good advice. Our minds are incredibly powerful. Let me give you an example something that can assist us in doing what Job did.
Today, I would like for you to notice throughout you day and week, all of the white cars that are out on the road. I cannot believe how many white cars there are. White, white, white… it’s amazing how many white cars there are.
Many of you are going to regret what I just said, for you see, as you go out for the next few days, perhaps even longer, you will notice WHITE cars… Thousands of them. They are all that you will see. Not any other color of car, but each time you see a white car, you will smile and think, “I can’t believe that there are this many white cars.” Why is this happening?
This is happening because you have subconsciously chosen to focus on white cars. This has become your primary focus. White cars on your radar.
Job’s focus was on God! His thoughts were specific towards trusting Him, and not upon his losses, or trials. God was his “white car” as used in this example. He chose to not break his focus upon one thing: Trusting God!
3. He poured out his heart honestly to God.
Job did not pretend everything was fine. He cried, questioned, mourned, and expressed his pain. God did not condemn Job for his sorrow. Job brought his struggles directly to the Lord instead of turning away from Him.
To me, this is a very important aspect of his plan. Job trusted God, and in that trust, he also included God in the process of detailing his emotions that were a result of his struggles. He was humble enough to tell God about his hardships. He simply did not ignore the difficulty that he faced, and he told God all about them. Not in spite, or anger, but in an honest communication. God met him there. He blessed Job with a comforting feeling in being able to express his hardships. This action in itself is quite comforting to Job, and is something that many of us too have felt.
Even though we realize that God knows everything, it is emotionally productive to tell God what we are experiencing, and the emotions behind that. This to me, is part of giving the burden that we are facing to God.
4. He held on to the hope of his Redeemer.
One of the most remarkable statements in Scripture came during the depths of his suffering:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…” Job 19:25
Job’s circumstances were terrible, but his hope was anchored in God. His “radar” was set on one thing – Trust in God. Suffering can naturally cause all of us to focus on the things that are hurting us, or on the things that are wrong in our life: this is a natural mortal behavior. Job overcame this, as his focus continued upon trusting God, even acknowledging that he did not know the reason behind the hardship.
5. He humbled himself before God’s wisdom.
When God finally spoke, He did not explain every detail. Instead, He revealed His greatness. Job realized that God’s understanding far exceeded his own.
“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee:” Job 42:5
For most of his life, Job knew about God. He had faith, offered sacrifices, feared the Lord, and lived righteously. Yet after enduring immense suffering, wrestling with difficult questions, and finally hearing the voice of God, Job realized there was a difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally.
Before his trials, Job’s understanding was largely based on what he had heard. After his trials, he encountered God in a deeper way. His circumstances had not revealed all the answers he wanted, but they had revealed the One who held the answers. Job discovered that God’s presence was greater than his need for explanations.
This verse teaches a truth that many believers experience. Sometimes we come to Christ because of what others have told us. We have heard sermons, read books, attended church, and learned doctrine. But there comes a point when God becomes real to us personally. He comforts us in a trial, speaks through His Word, answers a prayer, or carries us through suffering. What was once secondhand knowledge becomes firsthand experience.
6. He forgave those who had wronged him.
Before God restored Job, He instructed Job to pray for the very friends who had falsely accused him. Forgiveness was such an important process in Jobs success.
“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends…” Job 42:10
What a lesson! Even after suffering greatly, Job chose forgiveness and intercession rather than bitterness. Job had every human reason to be bitter. These men had falsely accused him, questioned his character, and added to his suffering. Yet Job obeyed God and prayed for them. Many people think that this was the turning point for Job’s challenge as detailed in the remaining statement of that scripture:
“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
The Lesson of Job
Job survived his trials because he kept his eyes on God rather than on his losses. He grieved, questioned, and suffered deeply, but he never abandoned his faith. Through the fire, he gained something greater than riches: a deeper knowledge of God.
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
That verse may be the best summary of Job’s journey. The trial did not destroy him—it refined him. And when it was over, Job knew God more intimately than ever before.
So, what can a Person Do When Challenges Come Directly from the Adversary?
From Job’s experience, if a person believes they are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and facing opposition, the lesson is not to become consumed with the adversary, but to become even more committed to Christ and His message.
Job never chased Satan. He never rebuked Satan. He never tried to understand Satan’s plans. He kept his attention on God. Likewise, someone sharing the gospel should keep their focus on Jesus Christ, not on the opposition.
1. Continue proclaiming the truth
Job refused to abandon what he knew about God. This was his anchor. The constant success of Job was that he always kept his focus on the positive, and did not choose to dwell upon the negative.
From Job’s example, I knew that I needed to continue teaching the truth, and keep my focus upon the TRUE words of God. When opposition comes, the temptation is to become discouraged, silent, or distracted. Job teaches perseverance. I will try to incorporate that in my plan forward.
2. Refuse discouragement
One of Satan’s primary goals is often not to destroy a believer physically, but to stop them from being effective. From that perspective, this only gives me a greater desire to continue what I am doing. If this is what satan’s end game is, to discourage me from becoming effective, it will be the LAST thing that I ever consider letting happen… “Stopping me from exposing deception and teaching the truth of the gospel.” Discouragement is now suddenly changed in my mind to “Fuel” to continue with my teaching; a stronger desire to continue on. The gospel continues to bear fruit when believers do not quit. This will be my focus.
3. Pray for those who oppose you
Job’s breakthrough came when he prayed for those who opposed him. When people criticize, mock, or resist the message, praying for them protects the heart from bitterness. WOW! This is something that I certainly have overlooked. Praying for those who oppose me.
This prayerful forgiveness is a challenge indeed, as it has always been for most people in their lives. Yet as we see the success in the past times that we have done this, it ALWAYS produces a feeling relief from a burden which we have been carrying around. Praying for those who oppose us and forgiving their actions is an incredible power in moving forward through difficulty. This is what I will do.
4. Remember that opposition often accompanies effective ministry
I have known this concept for most of my life, yet it is easy to forget when you are in the middle of a “storm.” A fair question that always seems to arise, even when you know this is, “Is it worth it to continue on doing what I am doing?”
We often get tired and worn out from the constant push back of our actions to do what we think is right. However, I am finding that labeling these push backs as opposition from the adversary, seems to regenerate my strength.
I indeed understand that my strength is limited, and I can be defeated by satan’s constant assaults, HOWEVER, my strength is unlimited when I “yolk up to the Savior!” I know, as many of you as well can confirm, that Jesus Christ has the POWER to defeat satan simply with His words. Many of us teach about this very thing happening during the Battle of Armageddon.
I’m realizing that this is not my battle in dealing with the adversary… This is OUR battle, Jesus Christ and ME, going up against satan’s ineffective ability to conquer us. I will continue to remember who is leading the charge against this battle between good and evil. I am honored, blessed, and often amazed that I am on such a powerful team.
Today’s writing might now seem that important to you, but in my world, it has been the MOST IMPORTANT topic that I have written about in a very long time. I NEEDED THIS! I needed God’s teachings to pick me up and carry me back into the battlefield. I had recently been wounded indeed, feeling like my ability to fight had been ended, but today, all of those wounds have been sutured, bandaged, and miraculously healed.
I have been sent back into the fight with an increase of armor, and a better understanding of how to defeat the enemy. My focus is no longer to just survive; it is to WIN. I also realize that I am not alone, as I have profoundly felt at times. I am one of MANY who are on God’s army.
I’ve come to realize something very personal as well today. God uses angels to protect, guard, and minister to His people, as taught in the following scriptures:
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14
The Bible does not specifically teach that each believer has a single personal “guardian angel.” However, it clearly teaches that God sends angels to minister to, protect, and assist His people according to His will.
The emphasis in Scripture is not on trusting in angels, but on trusting in God, who commands them.
“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Psalm 103:20
There is logic in making the assumption that if someone is doing God’s work, and is struggling, that God would deploy angles to “minister, protect, and guide them, during difficult times. God is in charge of those angles, but that does not mean that I can’t ask for Him to send those angles when I am struggling. We know that God comforts us through His Holy Spirit, for which I am indeed grateful for. But to also know that He send’s angles to minister and strengthen us is yet another arrow in OUR quiver. This too will be part of my strategy in continuing forward.
Many of you know that we are right in the middle of an actual battle between good and evil, and are fighting the fight. However, there are many today that are simply seeking shelter by ignoring the existence of this war all together. They choose not to get involved for various reasons. We also know that these people are no threat to the adversary.
But there are people like many of YOU, as well as myself that have volunteered to be on the front lines of this battlefield. We are heavily involved in calling out deception and teaching the Gospel Truths that Jesus taught when He was on the earth. WE ARE INDEED A THREAT to the adversary! We are God’s “Delta Force,” “Army Rangers,” “Green Berets,” “Navy Seals” “Marine Raiders” and “Tactical Air Control Party.”
Our training is the gospel of Jesus Christ, our experience of expertise comes from a life devoted to Jesus Christ, and our strength and armor are gifts from the One we serve.
I will continue the fight alongside of my brothers and sisters who are on those front lines with me. I will fight for those who are being held captive by the enemy, through religious deception, sin, and the false peace of not wanting to get involved. These are those who God is sending us behind enemy lines to find and bring safely home. This is our challenging mission; one that I am more committed to that I have ever been before.
Jesus Christ died for us; will you fight for Him? Will you suffer persecution that comes from belonging to His army? Would you even die for Him? Today, those answers come very easy to me…WHY WOULD I NOT!
Jesus Christ gave us eternal life living in His presence in a glorious place. I can give Him EVERYTHING that I have, because of His gift to us.
His sacrifice was so extreme, that He actually sweat blood. My suffering, while difficult, will never be as great as His. I choose today to see my suffering as a fellowship, rather than a hardship. It is in no way a comparison to what Christ endured, for I know that His suffering is beyond our ability to understand. But this is a way for me to redirect the difficulty of my hard times, towards a price that I am willing to pay personally, because of what He has done for me…and You.
The battle continues! I am so grateful to be on His team, and even MORE thankful and humbled, that He has enough confidence in me to place me on the front lines with many of you.
I pray that I will not disappoint Him in fulfilling my calling. And to those soldiers that fight beside me, I respectfully scream… “Oorah!” and “Semper Fidelis.” Let us all valiantly fight on!
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
You already know when this crown will be placed upon your head, to which I will be there as well, to share in your experience, and congratulate you!
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