Every time I look around, I find myself in another situation.

Car won’t start: a situation. Light bill is due and I have no money: a situation. Children in trouble at school and I’ve got to leave work to go handle it: a situation. Late for work and get pulled over for speeding: a situation. Situations happen on a daily basis, but we serve a God who is able to keep us through every situation.

In Acts 28, we see the apostle Paul entering into a situation. All was going well, and he had escaped a turbulent sea when some thought he might lose his life. His ship is wrecked on an island.

As he prepares a fire, a viper comes out of a pile of sticks and attaches itself to Paul. Immediately, the natives begin to speak negatively, saying Paul is surely going to die.

But Paul never thinks twice about the situation. He simply shakes off the venomous viper, and the natives begin to talk again — this time, equating him to a god.

Situations constantly arise in our lives, but don’t allow your situation to determine your salvation. Don’t give up on God because of a situation. Too many saints are depressed, sad, upset, consistently angry and just mean.

Sometimes, it seems everything is going well. Then, a situation comes our way and attaches itself to us, and we feel our world is about to end. If we’re not careful, we can die spiritually while dealing with a venomous situation.

People always will talk and kick you while you’re down, but Christ is the lifter of our head. Our situations are only temporary, and just like Paul, we have the power to shake them off. When we allow God to be the God of our situation, he shows up and delivers every time.

Psalms 33:19 states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Shake off whatever situation that is trying to attach itself to you.

Understand who and whose you are in Christ Jesus. Declare that you are more than a conqueror!

When people begin to see you coming out of your situation, God receives all the glory because you never gave up. It may seem like everyone is talking against you, but those who wait on Lord shall have their strength renewed. Conquer your situation!

Hayes is the pastor of New Day Outreach Ministry and president of the United Ministerial Alliance.