When facing situations the first step we should take is to try to figure out what is causing the situation. Some causes include: a test/trial, Warfare, consequences of our own actions/choices or spiritual warfare.
The first step in figuring out the root cause is to simply ask God and wait for His answer. Knowing what we are facing will help us get a strategy plan together to face it and walk in victory.
Test/Trial
Sometimes we can think everything that we perceive as bad in life is from the enemy; but not everything is from the devil. We could be fighting the enemy as if we are in spiritual warfare but that’s not even the issue. We may be screaming at the enemy, binding, and rebuking him when we are actually in a test. There are times God will put us in a situation to see if we are going to walk out our faith, if we are going to stand firm, and if we are going to keep our hearts close to Him. He wants to know if we are going to look to Him or if we are going to start leaning on our own understanding and lose our faith.
Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember [always] all the ways which the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart (mind), whether you would keep His commandments or not.
Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord [grain] offerings in righteousness.
1 Peter 4: 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.
James 1:2–4 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
An example is the length of time the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. They extended their journey by years. God was with them every single day doing miracles for them, and yet they lost sight of Him many times.
In all situations, we must place our trust completely in Him and know that He has our best interest in mind. He is a good Father, and He loves us.
Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
When Going Through a Test/Trial:
Ask God what He is trying to teach you. Ask Him if there is something you are missing and do everything you can to dig deeper in Him. Get in the Word of God daily. Also, spend time fasting and in prayer. Check your level of submission and make adjustments as needed. Guard against bitterness, resentment, and anger.
Possible Reasons for Test/Trials:
There are times test and trials are meant to take us to the next level in God, to go deeper in Him, remove things in us that are not who He has created us to be, for purification purposes, or to get us refocused.
1 Peter 1:6–7 In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Zechariah 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, “They are my people”; and they will say, “The Lord is my God.”
Consequences of Our Actions
Even after repentance, we sometimes must walk through the consequences of our actions and decisions. Repentance does not always remove the consequences of our poor choices. The children of Israel were in covenant with God, but their choices often put them in bondage for years. Some examples of poor choices are lust, adultery, drugs, lying, anger, murder, abortion, and a critical attitude. We can repent for these things and be totally forgiven, but at times we still must live with the consequences of those actions.
While Living with the Consequences of Our Actions:
Allow the situation to be a teaching moment, remain in deep prayer, repent for the poor choices, make any needed apologies, and repair relationships. We must avoid getting angry, aggressive, defensive, or bitter if the people we have hurt do not choose to forgive us.
Spiritual Warfare
If the enemy is the one fighting and attacking us, there are many things we can do to stop the attacks. One, deliverance if needed. Two, learn to walk in the identity given to us by God, as well as learning to walk in the authority given to us by Jesus. A necessary part of warfare is picking up our weapons of warfare to send the enemy running.
Blessings,
Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry
Fullness Of Joy Ministry 
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