Sin has held the world in bondage. We are bounded by grief, pain, sickness, trials, tragedy, and death.

As long as we live in this world we will be plagued by these problems.

Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

According to the Word of God, we will be afflicted but the Lord will deliver us from all of them, and not one of our bones will be broken (Psalms 34:19).

But the reality is that many of us are helpless when under attack.

How should you react in the midst of tragedy?

How do you cope when you are bombarded by fear, loneliness, and depression?

Is it possible to be at peace in the midst of war and confusion?

Is there hope in a seemingly hopeless situation?

All of us at some point struggle with these questions and we need answers.

Sometimes we are quick to blame God for allowing bad things to happen to us and we feel that He has forsaken us.

God knows what lies ahead of us and many times tragedy can be prevented if we take heed to the warnings that He sent us on many occasions.

However, when trouble strikes, be mindful that God is with us because He is a present help in times of trouble and He will never leave nor forsake us.

We can find specific answers to our particular situations and learn how to handle them when we look at how Jesus dealt with the same problems that are affecting us.

The Bible states that we have a high priest who was affected by all our afflictions yet without sin.

Strategies to overcome the evil spirits that are attacking families and society as a whole.

• Spirit of rejection (targets young people).

The effects of this bad spirit can be seen in king Saul when the Spirit of the Lord left him when the Lord rejected him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:14).

This evil spirit causes anxiety and distress and can even lead to temporary insanity.

Jesus was despised and rejected by His own people. He was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53).

Jesus’ strategy to overcome rejection when He was chased away by His family and friends was to walk through the midst of the riot.

• Pride, deception, lust, and greed

The devil tempted Jesus with all the above sins when He was in the wilderness, but He overcame them by quoting God’s written Word – “It is written…” (Matthew 4).

Jesus gave us the power to do likewise. So use the Word of God to overcome every form of temptation.

• Tragedy – accidents, untimely death

How did Jesus deal with tragedy?

Three examples of tragedy in Jesus’ life on earth were the death of Lazarus, the murder of John the Baptist by king Herod and His tremendous suffering leading up to His death on the cross. (Matthew 14; John 11; John 19).

During those trying times, Jesus sought comfort and strength through prayer.

He continued to be compassionate and ministered to those in need.

He encouraged repentance and forgave those who hurt Him.

• Sickness and demonic attacks

Jesus cast out demonic spirits with His Word and healed all that were sick (Matthew 8:16).

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: (Matthew 15:30)

Jesus has given us power and authority over all devils and to cure every form of disease (Luke 9:1)

• Natural disasters – Hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, fire, and flood

Jesus slept through the storms and He calmed the raging wind with the power of His command, “Peace be still!”

The Lord Jesus Christ who lives in your heart will calm every storm that appears in your life.

Therefore, Be still and know that God is in control.