How to Respond to Difficult Times

Silhouette of young girl praying to godHow to Respond to Difficult Times

Doug Addison

July 9, 2015

Are you feeling pressures in your life?

Are you still waiting for answers to prayers you’ve been praying for a long time?

Maybe you are in need of healing or you need a financial miracle.

Right now I am in Germany for the month of July, on a healing sabbatical. I am seeking healing of an acute case of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity that I have been battling for over two years.

I am expecting to come home next month fully healed, with a plan to stay that way. I have pursued many avenues for healing, so it is not like I have not tried!

Circumstances like these cause us all to wonder:

Why do people suffer?

I do not understand why people get sick. But I do know we have a God who loves us, and can heal us and restore our lives.

One thing I learned, in the midst of over two years of chronic illness, is that God does not cause sickness, but He will use anything that brings Him glory and draws us closer to Him.

I now have a new compassion for those who suffer with illness. God will use these times to set us up for future blessings.

Waiting for your ship to come in
Have you ever heard that saying, “I’m just waiting for my ship to come in”?

God drew me to a boat story today that I want to share with you.

In Matthew 8, Jesus had been ministering all day and He told his disciples to get into the boat and cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'” Matthew 8:23-26 NIV

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Jesus knew full well that there was going to be a storm that night and He did not give his disciples a heads-up. It is interesting that the storm came “without warning.”

Sleeping in the storm
During an intense storm, Jesus was not up on the deck saving the day. Instead, He was asleep.

We often go through seasons in our lives when it seems like the Lord is asleep.

Anyone know what I am talking about?
Oh sure, Jesus is in your boat, but man He must be asleep because nothing seems to be happening on the spiritual front.

God never leaves us but there are times when He allows things to happen to strengthen us.

I want to let you in on a secret that can save you years of hardship in trying to grow spiritually, God uses situations and storms in our life to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him.

God uses life’s storms to grow us up into maturity.

[Tweet “God uses life’s storms to grow us up into maturity.”]

All throughout the Bible are stories and accounts of men and women who went through hard times in the midst of growing in relationship with God.

Jesus knew the storm was coming so why did He not simply intercede and prevent it from happening?

Jesus demonstrated for us the proper way to respond when a storm arises in our lives.

• He rested.
• He was not afraid.
• He prayed and took authority and commanded it to stop.

Blessings on the horizon
It is interesting to note that right after the enemy tried to drown Jesus and His disciples, several amazing miracles took place.

I have seen this in my life as well. When the enemy attacks and you stand through it, there is usually a blessing as long as you do not jump ship.

Rest and know that God has not left you.
Do not be afraid. Pray, believe and stand firm. It will all work out!

P.S. If you have not heard my story of going to Germany, you can read more about it here.

Blessings,

Doug-sig

Doug Addison
DougAddison.com

Doug Addison is a prophetic speaker, author and coach. He is known for his Daily Prophetic Words, Spirit Connection webcast, podcast, and blog. Doug’s message of love, hope and having fun reaches people around the world! His powerfully, positively funny style of teaching and coaching helps open people to discover their destiny and experience God’s supernatural love and power. He and his wife Linda live in Los Angeles, California where he is impacting the arts and entertainment and media industries.

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    • Patricia Wolff
    • June 3, 2016
    Reply

    This is good. A few years back I had a dream I was standing on something in the middle of a shallow water. The water was nasty yellow. Demons were holding my arms. They were relieving themselves in the water and laughing. They were trying to make me do the same thing. They pulled me back to shore and I looked over my shoulders and my answered prayer was on the other side. It’s been yrs now but finally I feel relief and change.

    • Sweetly
    • July 28, 2015
    Reply

    Dear brother. We are praying for you. I do believe you will be fully healed and be back to encourage us with word.
    Today i am encouraged by your boat story and strengthened. Thank you so much my brother.

    • missionary Sei Fatialofa
    • July 13, 2015
    Reply

    Thanksnblessings for the words of empowerment for us,we are serving in papuanew guinea,itschallenging everyday, plse agree with us for the svsfamily,christiansborn again, selling their compond where we stay, its a good place for mothersn children,abound,sickness, ophanged, we have b praying for a venue,itssold for 3mil dol.alsoagree forchanged of heart of the family.appreciated your prayers for us in yhe field.Godshealing annointing toflow inyou brother,,youre a man with a uniquecalling..blessings,,,ps,,sei n tauese fatialofa

    • Deloris Cole
    • July 11, 2015
    Reply

    Doug,

    I’m praying for you. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

    The hardest thing in life to do is to rest in the Lord when the storm is all around you. The enemy wants you to be like the disciples afraid and in a panic, but God wants you to rest.

    • RUTH KIM
    • July 10, 2015
    Reply

    I AM DISABLED FINANCIALY AND ALMOST GOT HOPELESS. THANX FOR THIS WORD

    • Allie
    • July 10, 2015
    Reply

    Hi Doug,
    Your prophetic words and daily words are such an encouragement and right on target. Thank you for your faithfulness to write and speak what the Lord gives you. It is hard to suffer physically when you’ve been well most of your life but I know so many believers going through this kind of suffering now. Pain can’t just be ignored. Its real. After a difficult back injury in 2013, I fell and broke 3 ribs in February. I am also in transition, walking by faith. What has been worse than illness, financial doubts and injury were the judging words of other believers. You are right, judgment among the body must cease. This has given me such compassion for those wrongly judged and condemned. We must speak life over one another! May your healing include the lifting of judgmental words from your life and ministry and promotion to a new level of authority. I’m praying for you every day on your trip. I bless you and your family with healing, wholeness and bright, shining HOPE for your future!

    • Jacques Whelpton
    • July 10, 2015
    Reply

    I am on the same setuastion with my health an up and down health seruation but inhave realised as dough has sais above that in the low times i am holding on to the Lord more intense and i also realised He did not sent it but it to my advantance and carakter building .His promise of a total healing will xome to pass but the character building and discipline i received drom the Lord will keep me healed by following the eiht life syle diate and a balance life .I also learned that our health is our biggest asid .I know when my complete healing comes i will have asiferent aproach about life and a more gratefull person and what the real values are .I am also om the profetic ministrei and at the end it will be all in benifit for myself and the Kingdom so we have to hold on like paul had a thorn is his flesh i live drom day to day in faith and it keeps me close to Jesus hold on dough you will have victory with Jesus and promotions will come for you amen

    • Brooke
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Doug, Jesus delivered me from MCS. Multiple chemical sensitivity. I couldn’t be in a room with someone who had on perfume and I couldn’t walk into Walmart or I would get sick. He’s going to deliver you too! You are gonna look back in your rear view mirror and be like oh that lil thing. I know it seems like a mountain now but once you are delivered you look back in that rear view mirror and its amost like u forget it ever even happend!
    Thank you for this message I’m believing for a healing in my inner ears and everything you said ministered to me!!!

    • Charlene Stevens
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Wow Doug; standing with you also for your manifestation of your healing since the supply is already there!
    Such a timely Word too; right what I needed to hear and a confirmation of what my best friend just spoke to me about my season.
    Thank you so much!

  1. Reply

    Love how you encourage us to get mileage out of traumatic experiences. Let them transform us – to people of deeper compassion, faith and strength. Working with grieving people, I see this too. We have to learn how to rest, deal with our fears and see how our good Father will turn it around.
    Bless you with health and strength.

    • Rita Stanley
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Praying for you, have you ever tried detoxification cleanses? This is not meant as an advertisement or promoting a product, but I took something called Zendocrine made by doTerra essential oils and my liver enzymes are way down and my blood sugar is no longer in diabetic levels. Just trying to help!

    • Valerie
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    I so agree with this Word Doug! Thank you so much for encouraging so many through this. Praying daily for you and Linda!

    • Sheila
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you Doug for your word, it is always on time. The Lord healed me from 38 years of chronic migraines. I was told by every doctor I would never be cured ( there is no cure) But God! What an amazing Father we have! I have never been so close to Him as now. I am so in love with He who loves me .
    God bless you for your obedience to Him. I am giving thanks to Him for your complete healing, in Jesus Name.

    • Colleen Loxterkamp
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    hi Doug. Just want to say thank you for your words of insight and encouragement. I really just pray bucket loads of encouragement and healing over you. I pray such blessing of miracles over you in you and around you in your health, in your finances in your rest and in your on the go times. I pray in the kindness and goodness of Jesus that your body and immune system be whole complete and strong.

  2. Reply

    That’s good:)))!! Be like Jesus in the storm; rest, remain peaceful and command it to stop.

    • Susanne
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Correction: the @ should be a !

    • Susanne
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Doug, Thank you so much for those inspiring words. I’ve just gone through a very difficult time in my life and you are absolutely right. The key is that we do go through the storm with God if we put our trust in Him. We don’t remain in the storm forever. Huge blessings on your journey with God. You ARE the healed of the Lord@

    • Leon Spangler
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    In 1997 after 50 years of chemical exposure my body could not take any more short story I almost died but Praise God after some time I am healed and very healthy take no medicine of any kind now. Doug I AM believing for your healing it HAS HAPPENED Praise God!!!!!!!!!

    • Hollie
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    When you’ve done all you can do stand!! What a great word of encouragement!! It’s words like these that keep my faith strong for what I’m believing for myself in the midst of impossible circumstances!! But God!!

    Also continuing to stand in agreement for your complete and total healing in Jesus name!

    • Karmen Thompson
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you. As always this is so timely. Praying for your breakthrough as well as ours. 🙂

    • Cindy
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    I am there…I have been sick for 2 months..bless u Doug…thank you for the word needed to read that today…

    • Denise Weatherman
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Hi Doug. I’m believing God for you as I stand for my husbands healing the last 4 years. He has been battling lung disease. He’s on oxygen and we continue to stand and love God. We know he’s been healed. We’re waiting for the manifestation. I am fully persuaded that Gods word will prevail. Love and blessings Denise.

    • Sabrina
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Praying for your complete recovery, God bless

    • Linda Sherman
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Doug, I, too, suffered from an acute, chronic auto immune disorder 12 years ago, Reiters Syndrome, also known as Reactive Arthritis, a wicked cousin to Rheumatoid Arthritis. God is His mercy and kindness brought healing through spiritual deliverance and counseling AS WELL AS KNOWLEDGE that I had severe nutritional deficiencies in my body. God created our bodies to heal themselves given the 90 essential nutrients it needs daily. Now I share this truth as He has healed me with it. May I share with you?
    Holding you before Yehovah, our strong Elohim
    Linda Sherman, Kremmling, Colorado

    • Kimberly Eldred
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Such a timely word! Thank you for sharing! We have so many prayers we are waiting for healing- answers to prayer! Physical health – especially! Complete Healing to you in Jesus Name! Blessings!

    • Beulah (Sharon) Angulo
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you Doug. I’m standing with you, and praying for you. Your daily Word, and monthly prophetic Word have been an encouragement to me. I believe we will learn to walk on water, as we listen and obey!
    I pray God’s Blessing’s rain down on you and this month if healing…

    • Tina
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thanks for your daily Prophetic word. I have had you on my heart for a while and I ha e been led to intercede on your behalf. I, too, have some chronic illnesses in my life – one has been ongoing for over 15 years. So I understand others more who are in the same situation as I am.

    So I have been praying. You have given us a word each day so we pray for you frequently. You have freely given so you shall freely receive from the Lord. I feel to give you Habakkuk 2:1. God bless you in your healing.

    • Carol
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you for this word. Encouragement is vital for us all. I agree, my compassion for others in chronic pain has become a very real thing. I’m so grateful to God for His goodness in every situation. I pray you leave there healed and with even more insight into His marvellous grace. Blessings

    • imrejoyce
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you for this encouragement. I’ve been in a long season of disappointment and hardship. Still waiting for promises to be fulfilled.

    • Felix Ampofo - Ansah
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    God guide me give me wisdom and understanding to discover my strengths and potential gifts.

    • Leonie James
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Ive been going through something similar. I have had iron deficiency aenimia for four years. Just this week the doctors have worked out what the problem is and I’m on a course of medical treatment to resolve this situation.
    I have definitely drawn nearer to the Lord and developed compassion, trust in the Lord, resilience and courage and probably a whole lot more I haven’t had revelation about yet.

    Your journey has been a great encouragement to me and your prophetic words have often been confirmation of what ihave been experiencing.

    I pray for you everyday since I heard about your time away. Blessings apon blessings to you Doug.

    Regards
    Leonie James

    • Magda
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    I needed this so badly. Thank you

  3. Reply

    Dear Doug, in total agreement with your letter. Indeed He is faithful. Last year i entered a time of chronic back pain with many pastors and biships (in Africa) praying for me – but no healing came… they did not understand… a lesson in itself – as no-one asked what God was doing they just believed if they prayed i would be healed. However God had asked me to Trust Him in the Pain… with my confession to trust Him after 3 months of prolonged agony i awoke the next day completely pain free! As i was planning to travel to India for three months – suddenly the pain returned… i was confused – i thought i had past the test, but the Lord said – Last time was to prepare you to Trust me – now is the time! I travelled to India expecting to preach and teach and minister to others – only to be three month on bed rest and in hospital… but God spoke! It was His operating Table – in preparation for a new shift in my ministry to take place… it is 9 months since the pain began the first time, and seemingly a time of new birth!

    My dear brother in Christ – i bless you and stand with you, knowing that He is doing withing you even greater things than can be imagined as you yourself are being transitioned into a new level of authority in Christ Jesus. Be strong and courageous in Him alone, for His mantle is about to change, transformation is taking place… i have been in a bed of isolation for three months… as the Lord specifically dealt loveingly with areas in my life – that through the experience comes testimony and authority… like a caterpillar in its cocoon of transformation – but the butterfly is about to emerge…. Be blessed, and the fullness of His Presence bring about the transforming glory to lift you to another level of His anointing and authority in Christ Jesus! With Christian love to you – Joyce Brandt

      • Amor
      • September 11, 2016
      Reply

      Thank you for your comment. It’s is 100% the same instructions the Lord gave me when I was diagnosed with cancer last year in July. Now I know I truly heard from the Lord.

    • Katie
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you so much for continuing to minister, even as you’re being ministered to as well. I can’t tell you enough, how absolutely timely this message is. Not 10 minutes ago, I was absolutely miserable, feeling completely alone, and so directionless. But this is such an amazing encourager. Thanks so much! Blessings and complete healing over you!

    • Dorothy
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    We are praying for strength to receive all He has for you, healing and anything else. Thank you SO much for your work! This is not a word of knowledge (I don’t think) just an idea to throw out there. In a meeting with (or book of) Dr Henry Wright of Be In Health Ministries, a woman was quickly healed of chemical sensitivities when he asked her one question: “Who did not love you like they should have when you were a child?” She burst into tears, quickly forgave and went out to eat buffet at the Sizzler. This was proof because before then she was a prisoner in a foil-lined room and could eat only a very few foods. Like I said, it is just a thought for you and a really wonderful testimony. YAY YAH!!! Goodnight and shalom from your friends in Oregon.

    • Raphael Spiteri
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    I agree with your comments hundred percent because that is exactly what God showed me be encouraged a new season is coming for you we are praying for you. from Malta

    • Alice
    • July 9, 2015
    Reply

    Thank you ManofGod
    Amazing that you still serve even while in sabbatical !
    And for this strengthening word ,
    You are a true son who serves with diligence.

    Our prayers go on in our hearts for you and Linda , our love is waiting expectantly to see you back here with a clean bill of health
    Blessings

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