This is part one of a 2-part series.

While reflecting on the struggles many of my Christian friends are facing, something caught my attention. When I started writing down the root causes of their challenges, they all started with the letter ‘D’! Discontent, doubt, delay, despair… the list goes on. Of course, life brings a wide range of trials over and above these. Today however, let us explore some of these ‘D’ challenges that often creep into our walk with God. We will ask questions like: Why do they hit so hard? And more importantly, how do we overcome them?

As we unpack each one, it is my heart’s desire that the Holy Spirit will minister to your heart and give you insight, discernment and faith to overcome each one where it tries to find a foothold in your life or the life of a loved one.

 

Doubt and unbelief

Have you ever found yourself praying about something, but you are not really sure if the Lord is going to answer your prayer? You know you should trust God, but the matter you are praying about is just so great that you are not sure if He is going to answer your prayer. Doubt and unbelief can hinder the effectiveness of prayer when intercessors question God’s ability or willingness to act on their prayers.

James 1:6–8– But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double–minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Unbelief and doubt in God’s promises can make prayers ineffective. Intercessors are encouraged to pray with faith and confidence, trusting that God will answer. In prayer, we must remember that it is not our ability to pray that brings the answer, but it is God in His sovereignty and His love for His children who answers our prayers. Therefore, we can pray with confidence.

 

Deception

The enemy started with his strategy of deception with Adam and Eve. He still continues to deceive believers into believing falsehoods about God, themselves, or their circumstances today. It comes as a thought in your heart to make you doubt God’s good intentions towards you.

John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.“

Ask the Holy Spirit to make you sensitive to hear His voice and to discern when it is the voice of the enemy that wants to deceive you.

 

Despair

Despair leads believers to feel as if there is no hope or solution to their problems. They have tried everything, but nothing is working, and they start to give up hope that even the Lord wants to help them. During such seasons it is so important to focus on God’s ability to bring light into any dark situation and trust that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Rest in the hope of God, knowing that He has a plan for your life, even in difficult seasons

When it feels like there’s no hope, cling to Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Disobedience

The devil tempts believers to disobey God’s commands, leading to spiritual defeat. This is what happened to Eve in the garden. By sowing doubt into her mind, the devil caused her to disobey a command of God, and it eventually led to the fall of all creation! Seek to align your actions with God’s purposes – and test the thoughts and decisions you want to make with a trusted friend/mentor.

1 Peter 1:14 – As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

 

Defeat

The enemy tries to convince Christians that they are defeated and cannot overcome sin or challenges, no matter how hard they try. Secondly, he tells them that they will never be good enough for God because they cannot even overcome small sins! He will always come and belittle them, tell them how useless they are, or how sinful they are (reminding them of past forgiven sins), or that they will never accomplish anything.  Just know that this is not the heart of the Father – He is a loving Father and will always help those who cry out to Him in desperation.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 4:4 – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

When you feel defeated by sin or failure, remind yourself of Romans 8:37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

 

Desire for control

The devil tempts believers to take control of situations instead of trusting God’s sovereignty. That does not mean we discard all our daily responsibilities! What is meant here is what your mind resorts to in a crisis moment. Will you try and solve the problem with the knowledge you have? We all have this tendency. Remember, in everything, to continuously surrender control to God in all areas of your life, trusting His plan is better than your own (Matthew 6:10).

Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Isaiah 55:9 – For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Download part 1 of this article as PDF

(Also read part two to learn about the last six ‘D’ challenges and traps that believers face.)