By PASTOR MATTHEW ALLEN IN SPITE of what you are going through - set-backs, financial challenges, health issues, marital problems, grief in death, home foreclosure, job loss - it is imperative that you remain faithful to God and that which he has called you to. No matter what position one may hold in this life, everyone has challenges. Sometimes they are more than we care to talk about or can explain. Have you ever found yourself asking such questions: Lord, how much longer? Or, when is it my turn? And yet you refuse to give up and cave into life's pressure and challenges. The critics - spiritually dead, undiscerning persons - will be the first to secretly or publicly judge and speak negatively about you and what you are going through. In spite of their talks, this does not give you the right to hate or walk in bitterness towards such persons. The best thing that you can do is to ignore and do not allow what has been said to contaminate your faith, and continue walking faithfully with God and in your assignment. Here is the Apostle Paul's response when speaking to the church at Corinth about some of his challenges. 1Corinth.4:3. What about me? Have I been faithful? Well, it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. : 4. My conscience is clear, but that isn't what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. : 5. So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due. We are living in a day and time where our faith will be challenged far beyond our imagination, despite the fact that we are saved and doing everything within our power to live a godly life. We are not immune from life's tests, trials and challenges. When walking with God (in obedience to his word) there will be times when you would feel all alone even though you are not alone. He has promised never to leave thee, nor forsake thee. It is in those moments when God's empowering presence, the Holy Spirit, will encourage you to continue walking by faith, and not by sight. Do not think it strange that you are facing adverse circumstances and maybe experiencing various challenges, nor be of the mind-set that you are the only one that is having to endure. Holdfast to your faith and sin not. The scripture states: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4: 15). The word infirmities in the Greek is: astheneia (as-then'-i-ah), which has several meanings such as: Feebleness of body or mind; Malady or problems, difficulties, troubles; Frailty or shortcomings and weakness. Therefore, whatever you are going through I strongly encourage you to remain obedient to God's word, because he faithfully watches over his word to perform it (Jer.1:12). In these trying and difficult times many persons are succumbing to the financial challenges, marital problems, unemployment situations that they re facing, but again, I encourage you to continue walking in obedience to God's word. There is a saying: "If you fail to plan, then plan to fail". While this saying may have a great degree of truth, there are many persons who have countless hours methodically laying out various comprehensive plans only to have those plans come to naught. It is at this point that frustrations, disappointments and heart aches tend to overwhelm such planners. God has a fail proof plan for you. Just as he said to the prophet Jeremiah so is he saying to you today: "For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jer. 29: 11). Do you want to make God laugh; tell him about your plans? Do you want to please God; submit to and follow his plans for your life? * For questions and comments contact pastormallen@yahoo.com.