Sunday Sermon: Standing Firm in Trials While Seeking First the Kingdom of God

by Minister Denise N. Fyffe

Sometimes, it’s good to look back; to reflect on where God has taken you from. To fully appreciate where God has brought you from and where you are going.

I took stock and reflected on a particularly tumultuous year -2014. I can’t help but acknowledge how deeply anchored I was in Matthew 6:33 (KJV): “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This scripture became my guiding principle, my beacon through the storm. What I didn’t anticipate was that seeking God’s kingdom would lead me into a royal battle—one of spiritual warfare like no other.

2014 was a brutal year. It felt like I was fighting in a war, surrounded by enemies, much like the scene from American Sniper where soldiers were pinned down in enemy territory, fighting for their survival. That was me, in the spiritual realm, facing trial after trial, wave after wave of adversity. Every moment felt like a firefight, with no relief in sight. But in the chaos, God was present, teaching me valuable lessons about endurance, trust, and His divine rescue.

A Year of Trials: The Battle Begins

The trials of 2014 were relentless. They started small—annoyances that could easily be brushed off—but quickly escalated into life-altering challenges. My car, a new 2009 Mazda, became a target for vandals. Almost every morning, I would find fresh scratches, or my windshield covered in gum. As time went on, it wasn’t just vandalism. My car had become a playground for other people’s sins, used as a whorehouse at night and left damaged by the very people I trusted to repair it.

One of the most frustrating moments came when I hired someone to fix the damage, only to be robbed. They stole my money, and the car was left in worse condition than before. I felt betrayed by people, even by my own family who added to the mess by offering poor repairs and robbing me of even more money. Unforgiveness took root in my heart, sprouting into an oak tree of bitterness that would take years to prune.

Romans 12:19 (KJV) reminds us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Though I wanted revenge, I had to leave it to God. But I’ll be honest—it wasn’t easy. The constant stress made me feel like I was surrounded on all sides, with no way out. The more I sought God, the more the trials increased. At times, I felt utterly hopeless.

Spiritual Warfare Intensifies

By mid-year, the trials weren’t just financial and emotional; they became physical. I had been suffering from the symptoms of fibroids for months—pain, discomfort, and circulation issues that eventually led to the need for surgery. But surgery wasn’t an option because I couldn’t afford it. I had no choice but to push through, hoping for a miracle.

On top of the physical pain, I was also enrolled in school, adding more stress to an already overwhelming situation. Group assignments, sour personalities, and the pressure of constant deadlines drained me. And if that wasn’t enough, my work environment became hostile. My boss intensified her antics, pushing me to the brink of my patience. By the time November came, I had nothing left to give. I was transferred to a new department, but the stress had already taken its toll.

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I clung to this verse as I navigated the storms, praying for peace in the midst of the chaos.

The Battle of My Life: Surgery and Debt

By the time December arrived, I finally went in for surgery. I needed $500,000 to cover the cost, but by God’s grace, friends and family came through, and I managed to secure half the funds. Still, as I lay on that operating table, all I could think about was how tired I was. I wanted the battle to end. My last words before going under were filled with resignation. I didn’t even care if I survived—I was that weary.

But God had other plans. The surgery had complications, and I lost half my blood. When I woke up, I knew something wasn’t right. I was filled with more holes than a sponge from their desperate attempts to find veins. Still, by day three, I was ready to leave the hospital, refusing to spend another sleepless night there.

Just when I thought the worst was over, I was handed my hospital bill—double what I had anticipated because of the complications. My heart sank, and I was tempted to throw in the towel. I wanted to tell God I was done being a King’s kid without the King’s bank account. But Exodus 14:14 (KJV) says, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” And so I gave the debt to Him and focused on recovery.

Standing Firm: Relying on God’s Rescue

By the end of 2014, I had outlived, outprayed, and survived what felt like the Hunger Games of spiritual trials. The financial struggles, the betrayal, the physical pain, and the emotional exhaustion should have broken me. But God.

Despite everything, I stand here today. Romans 5:3-4 (KJV) says, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” I have learned that the battle is not mine—it is the Lord’s. What seemed like an impossible situation forced me to rely totally on God’s help. Every time I thought I couldn’t go on, He stepped in.

As I entered 2015, I was still in debt, and my wounds were still healing, but I knew one thing for sure: I could do nothing else but stand. Ephesians 6:13 (KJV) encourages us, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” So, I stood, and I am still standing.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, the trials we face may be brutal, but they are not without purpose. Every battle is a lesson, every storm a demonstration of God’s power. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” It doesn’t say that the road will be easy, but it does promise that God will provide.

I encourage you today, no matter what you’re going through, seek God first. Don’t let the trials of life turn you away from Him. Instead, run to Him. He is your refuge, your strength, and your deliverer. Whatever battle you are fighting, remember this: The rescue is all Him.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our ever-present help in times of trouble. Lord, we know that the trials we face are not meant to destroy us but to strengthen us and draw us closer to You. Help us to seek You first, even when the battles of life seem too much to bear. We trust You, Lord, to fight for us, and we stand on Your promises. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you, and may He give you peace in the midst of every trial. Stand firm in His promises, for the battle is already won. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I hope you find today’s sermon helpful and applicable to your life. I pray that the Word of God works effectively in your life.

Be encouraged and stay blessed.

The Invitation

I invite you today to take a deep look at yourself and reflect on your life. Are you searching for something more? Are you satisfied with how things are today? Is God calling you to bconfess your sins, be baptized and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been ignoring him? Have you been facing immense hardships and challenges? What can you do to take the first step?

Trust God to help you with that first step.

Be encouraged.

Be bold.

Click here to understand how to Answer the Call or answer the Altar Call.

It shall be well with you, in Jesus mighty name.

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And remember, be encouraged.

About the writer:

Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a devoted Christian, author, and servant of God, whose life is guided by her faith and values. Since accepting Jesus Christ at a young age, she has made it her mission to share her journey. She also shares her knowledge of the Bible with others. Besides her passion for writing, Minister Fyffe is actively involved in outreach, Christian mentorship, and ministering the Word of God.