What Does God Say About Difficult Times?
1. Identifying with God’s Support
When times are tough, we can often struggle to find peace and strength within ourselves. God recognizes that difficult times can lead us to feel overwhelmed and lacking in faith; it’s why He is always there, to help us through. He doesn’t promise us a life without trouble or pain, but He does promise us His love and presence, even in the darkest moments. We can draw strength from His presence in knowing that He is with us, no matter how hard the journey gets.
God offers us comfort and support in our darkest times, and as we draw strength from Him we can gain the courage to face life’s challenges. His word reminds us that with Him, nothing is impossible. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We can be reassured that God will never leave us, and in His presence, we can find peace and strength to carry us through our difficult times.
2. Holding onto Hope
Difficult circumstances can bring up feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. It’s natural for us to question why certain trials come into our lives, and during these times it can be hard to look to the future. But even in the face of hopelessness, God’s word reminds us that we can have faith in Him–for He will never forsake us. We may not know why we’re going through hard times, but God always has a purpose.
The Bible offers us hope in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Even in our sorrows, we can be assured that God is working in us, and preparing us for something far greater. Despite the storm, there is always something greater for us just beyond the horizon. When times seem hopeless, God is still there, and He is determined to bring us to a place of peace and joy.
3. Finding Strength in Community
When we’re facing difficult times, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and feel alone. Yet God teaches us to rely on community in times of trouble. He promises to provide us with faithful and committed friends (Prov. 18:24). We can draw strength in knowing that we are not alone in this journey and that God is there to provide a community of people to lift us up.
From our brothers and sisters in the faith, to the strangers we meet in life’s greatest storms, God is providing us with people to help carry us through. When we feel too weak to fight alone, He is there to equip us His love and support, and when we feel too lost in the darkness, He sends us teachers and guides to bring us back into the light.
4. Learning from Our Struggles
Life isn’t always easy, and difficult times can often come our way. But God teaches us that these trials can ultimately make us stronger. As hard and as painful as it may be, God can use our struggles to help us develop a deeper relationship with Him. We can view our struggles as opportunities to learn and grow in our faith, finding strength and spiritual insight from our adversities.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” God wants us to embrace our struggles and learn from them, so that we can become the people He has called us to be.
What Does God Say About Developing Wisdom?
God values wisdom and encourages us to use it, especially during times of difficulty. Proverbs 3:13-14 states: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, And the one who gets understanding, For the gain from her is better than gain from silver And her profit better than gold.” God wants us to gain understanding from our struggles, so that we can use our wisdom and apply it to our lives.
Wisdom allows us to take a step back and look at difficult times from a more objective perspective. We can focus on solutions, rather than problems. We can make decisions that increase our chances of success and foster relationships that can help us move forward.
God also wants us to consider the long-term effects of our choices. While immediate gratification is often a temptation when we’re facing adversity, it’s important to think before we act. There’s wisdom in walking in His ways and the more we do so, the more fruit we’ll reap in the future.
What Does God Say About Letting Go?
Letting go of difficult circumstances can be one of the most difficult tasks we face in life. We can be tempted to cling to what we know or become lost in the pain of our experiences. But God teaches us that surrendering to Him is the key to finding peace.
Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways”. We can’t always control life’s circumstances or know how they will end, but we can trust in God. He knows best and He is our ever-present help if we choose to turn to Him. He will grant us the grace to let go, so that we can discover the joy and freedom that comes with trusting in Him.
Sometimes, letting go can be a choice we make to move forward in life. We can choose to forgive those who have hurt us, or seek healing for past wounds. Many times, surrendering to God’s will can mean giving up our own plans and embracing the path He has set before us. In those moments, we can trust in the knowledge that what He has for us is far greater than we can imagine.
What Does God Say About Going Through Loss?
Dealing with loss can be one of the most challenging experiences we face in life. We feel broken and overwhelmed by the pain, and it can be difficult to see the light in the midst of our darkness. God promises to be with us every step of the way, to carry us through our sorrows and guide us back to peace.
In Isaiah 43:2, God says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” God knows our pain and He will never leave us to traverse it alone. He will provide us the strength and solace we need to heal and move forward.
Loss can change our lives in unimaginable ways, but it doesn’t have to define us. God reminds us that He is with us through it all, purifying our hearts and molding us in His image. The journey may still be hard, but He will empower us and sustain us to find healing and understanding in the midst of it all.
A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.
