How to Apply Biblical Principles So You Can Overcome Trials

When you apply biblical principles to your life, they come with a promise. Many of the covenant promises of applying biblical principles are listed in Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 28. Here are several on the list…

• Protection from your enemies
• Health and protection from diseases
• Divine authority
• Supernatural increase

However, we must also be honest and prepared. Honest to the fact that when trials come, applying biblical principles becomes difficult. Prepared in a sense that when we know the biblical principles to apply, we will be better positioned to win the battle.  

In the battle is when our faith is exercised. And, in God’s sovereignty and love, He has a purpose for the trials that we face. 

What the Bible Says about Trials and Tribulations

• “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”—James 1:2-4 (emphasis added)

• “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”—James 1:12 (emphasis added)

• “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”—1 Peter 5:10 (emphasis added)
• “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”—Romans 8:28

• “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”—Romans 12:10-12 (emphasis added)

• “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33 (emphasis added)

• “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.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (emphasis added)

The Purpose of Trials

From these passages, you see that trials, while inevitable, also have a purpose and come with promises. To see the purpose of the trial, you will need to look beyond the physical and into the spiritual. There are lessons that come from trials that your Heavenly Father wants you to know, see, and feel. 

And when you apply biblical principles to your situation, you will feel, see, and know the power and strength of Yeshua—the One who has overcome the world, the One who lives within you. 

Watch as Curt Landry walks you through applying biblical principles in the midst of trials. 

Know and Apply Biblical Principles from Joshua 14

Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was 40 years old when he went to spy out the goodness of the Promised Land. In Joshua 14:7, Caleb says, “…I brought back word to him [Moses] as it was in my heart.” In other words, Caleb knew, in his mind, will, and emotions, that the Lord’s Word about the land was true, even when others around him were bringing a bad report. This was a test. Would he believe God’s Word (spiritual) or human report (physical)?

Verse 9 says… 

“So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’”

In order for Caleb to overcome the trial that he was facing, he had a responsibility. The responsibility was to “wholly follow the Lord.” 

Moses prophesied to him, making a covenant and promising that he would have an inheritance. From this promise, Caleb proclaimed, “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day…” (Joshua 14:12). 

Caleb waited 45 years for the promise to come to pass. He faced many trials and tests, but he stood on the promise, applying biblical principles…

Caleb wasn’t perfect, but he did apply God’s principles that revealed the possibilities that rested upon the mountain of Hebron. We can imagine that Caleb, believing God’s Word and going through the testing and delays, must have understood the possibility of war. But he remained patient and persistent, seeing the possibility of victory, which can only come from a time of trials.  

How to Apply Biblical Principles in the Midst of Trials

Use the A.C.T. teaching to apply biblical principles in the midst of trials…

Apply—Apply God’s Word to your situation. Declare, “Father God, You made a promise to Caleb and Joshua. I know You make promises to me.”

Change—Change your mindset from being passive to being active as you wait upon the Lord. Ask the Lord to make His promise manifest. Just as Caleb used the promise to receive what was his by saying, “Give me this mountain,” you too can use the promise to ask for what is yours.  

Transform—Don’t quit. As you apply the Word to your situation and change your mindset from being passive to asking for what you need as you wait upon the Lord, the transformation will come. You will be given the power of the Holy Spirit to persevere. God will give you a way when there is no way by revealing His instruction. 

The Takeaway… Remember the Promises

Jesus hung on the cross so that you can receive the promises of God. The promise might not be the mountain of Hebron, but any trial you face—spiritual, physical, relational, or financial—you can declare God’s promise of overcoming it. Every promise in Jesus is yes and amen. 

If you stay patient with the Lord and persistent in prayer and in His Word, then the possibilities of receiving your inheritance are sure to come. 

Caleb received the mountain as an inheritance because he wholly followed the God of Israel. And as a result, the Word says that “the land had rest from war.”

When you are facing a trial, be patient and persistent, and see the possibilities that come from the promise of overcoming. Apply biblical principles such as these, and you will have a rest from war. It might seem like this time of rest is far off, but remember what Paul writes to the Romans…

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

—Romans 8:18

A Prayer to Petition the Courts of Heaven | Ask for Wisdom to Apply Biblical Principles

“Father God, I enter into Your courts today in the name of Yeshua. I thank you for the tests and trials I am facing right now, as I know, according to Your Word, that they have a purpose to strengthen me and glorify Your name on earth. Father God, I humbly ask that you give me wisdom. Holy Spirit, reveal to me the deeper purpose behind the trial. Help me see into the spirit, having a clear vision of the spiritual warfare that surrounds me. Lord, help me know how to prosper in the midst of the trials and tests. Father God, help me feel Your strength and become the overcomer You designed me to be, in Yeshua’s name, amen.”