Circumstances, Trials & Tests (Part 1)

by | Mar 25, 2025 | The Daily Word with Pastor KBN | 0 comments

A symbolic and artistic cover image representing Circumstances Trials and Tests'. The image features a lone traveler on a winding path facing sunset wide

Chapter 1

The Enemy’s Tactic: Distraction from God

In our walk with God, the enemy often targets our attention. When we fixate on our problems, we lose sight of God’s promises. The devil’s strategy is simple: distraction. But if we stay focused on Jesus, we can walk in faith through any storm.

We thank God today for another opportunity to share His Word. To our faithful Daily Word family around the world, welcome! We’re truly grateful to come before you, and we bless the Lord for His grace and mercy.

Father, we come to You in gratitude. We ask for forgiveness of our sins and pray that Your Word today blesses every listener. Let it encourage and strengthen the hearts of those who hear it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We’re excited to begin a brand-new teaching series titled “Circumstances, Trials, & Tests.” A vital question we must explore is this: Why does the enemy want you so focused on your circumstances, trials, and tests?

The answer is strategy. Satan, our adversary, desires to sow seeds of doubt, fear, and discouragement by overwhelming your mind with negative realities. His goal is to shift your focus away from God and onto your problems.

The Power of DFG – Distraction From God

Distraction is the enemy’s number one play. If he can get you to DFG—Distract From God—he can weaken your faith, rob your peace, and cause you to neglect the very things that fuel your spiritual strength: prayer, worship, and time in the Word.

By focusing on your challenges, you lose sight of your connection to the Father. You neglect worship. You neglect your praise. You drift from God’s presence. And the moment your focus shifts, the enemy gains ground.

Let’s look at a powerful example in Matthew 14:29-30 (KJV):

“And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

Peter had his eyes on Jesus. He stepped out of the boat in faith and walked on water. But then came the distraction—wind, waves, and fear. The moment Peter shifted his focus from Jesus to the storm, he began to sink. That’s DFG in action—Distraction From God. Or more specifically here, DFJ—Distraction From Jesus.

Before we criticize Peter’s lack of faith, let’s give credit where it’s due—Peter actually walked on water. When was the last time you tried that? His faith was active until distraction took over.

And yet, even in the sinking, Jesus saved him. This shows us that even when we fall, God is still near.

When Faith Wavers

The enemy wants to shake your faith. He wants you to question God’s promises. James 1:8 (KJV) tells us:

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Satan’s goal is to create instability—shaky ground beneath your feet. When your mind flips between fear and faith, the result is spiritual confusion. God doesn’t want lukewarm believers. Revelation 3:16 (KJV) warns:

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

God wants you to be grounded—confident in Him even when everything around you is shaking.

Walking on Water in Today’s World

You may not be standing on a literal ocean, but many of you are walking through stormy waters right now. Bills are overdue, relationships are strained, health is failing, or doors seem closed. The waves are high, and the wind is loud.

But the message is the same: Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Don’t allow yourself to DFG. Don’t lose focus. Worship anyway. Pray anyway. Put on that praise music and sing your heart out—even in the storm.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) encourages us:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we find peace. Even if the storm doesn’t end immediately, your soul can be still.

Exploiting Your Emotions

Here’s another tactic of the enemy: emotional manipulation. When you DFJ, the devil exploits your emotions—anxiety, frustration, despair. He uses them to distort your thinking and influence your actions.

He’ll send the AFD attack:

  • Anxiety

  • Frustration

  • Despair

Followed by Manipulation. All of this stems from one move: taking your eyes off God.

Stay Focused

This is why we’re launching this teaching series. Circumstances, trials, and tests will come—but how you handle them will determine whether you sink or stand.

So, Daily Word family, stay anchored. Don’t DFG. Don’t DFJ. Stay in worship. Stay in prayer. Keep feeding your spirit with the Word. If the devil wants your focus, it must mean that your focus has power.

We believe this series will bless you, empower you, and help you walk on water. Speak to your mountain and watch it move. You carry the God kind of faith within you.

Conclusion

Stay anchored in faith—no matter what storm you face, keep your eyes on Jesus. He’s still the One who saves when we start to sink.

Takeaways

  • Don’t DFG (Distract From God): The enemy wins when you focus more on the problem than the Provider.

  • Focus fuels faith: Keeping your eyes on Jesus builds strength, clarity, and peace.

  • Emotional exploitation is real: The devil uses anxiety and despair to manipulate your mind.

  • Peter walked on water first: Faith can move you, but distraction can sink you.

  • Instability is a sign of distraction: James 1:8 reminds us that double-mindedness causes spiritual weakness.

  • Worship is your weapon: Praise, prayer, and the Word are your tools to resist distraction.

From The Daily Word with Pastor KBN: Circumstances, Trials & Tests (Part 1), Mar 25, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-word-with-pastor-kbn/id1800872165?i=1000700704692&r=543
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