Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. God Will Provide As You Trust Him Through the Hard Times. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Ultimately, a day is coming when there will be no more sickness, pain, or death, and when He will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). You've got nothing to lose! Turning Hard Times into Good Times Tuesday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Business Channel. But I want to testify that trusting God in difficult times (even finding joy through trials!) Have Focus on the Family resources helped you or your family? Facebook. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Double your gift to save babies from abortion! Tell Him what you’re really thinking and feeling. Related Video And yet, the sun does it every day. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. If you're asking these kinds of questions, I highly encourage you to check out this amazing “I am Loved” Bible Study! Turning to God in tough times. It simply means that the world isn’t what it’s supposed to be. … Double your gift for struggling families! That ability to thrive (and not just survive) a trial is founded on three principles that we've discovered as we've learned about trusting God through difficult times. God promises we will face troubles in this life, but he also promises to walk by our side through it all. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over … Trusting God in the Hard Times. ‎When we are going through tough times, we need to turn to the light of God’s love, but we often find it difficult to do so. The way my husband and I always hold hands in bed before going to sleep; How my nine-year-old lights up when I ask if she’d like a cup of tea; My five-year-old’s adorable furrowed brow when he’s confused about something; The way all six of us snuggle in bed as we read a bedtime story; The always-happy-to-see-me greeting from my two faithful Labradors; My twelve-year-old’s dedicated work ethic (which reminds me of his father); The “mystery” card left on my pillow that said, “I love you mom. Having faith in God during difficult times can be incredibly hard. But then the fear creeps in. Guntzelman offers us new ways of looking at our situation as well as reminders to trust in the Lord and his plan for our lives. You need to lean fully on Him so that He can give you the strength to endure. Sep 8, 2017 | Filed under: Featured, Islam | Posted By MV Media. Why not pick up one or both of these journals right now? Whenever I'm tempted to let my thoughts wander into the dark places, I confess my fears again to God and meditate on these truths: What can you choose to “fix your thoughts” on during a trial so that you can maintain a spirit of joy? In the meantime, if you need to talk to another human being, feel free to call our counselors here at Focus on the Family. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). This fall marred the original design of God’s creation in many ways. What good things can you savor instead of the bad? You'll also learn the difference between God’s love and the world’s love (and how it’s so easy for us to get that confused in our thoughts). Our family is enduring a huge trial right now and honestly, I have my list of these things in Evernote so that I can access them regularly from my phone and tablet. Do it again – Elevation Worship. I want to share with you what we've learned about having faith in God through difficult times. But, oh, how I want to help you to discover supernatural joy, contentment–even peace!–while you're caught in the storm. Ep 84: 5 Soul Care Gifts to Give Yourself This Year, Pt 1: Cultivate Margin + Solitude, Ep 83: ADD: 3 Steps to Manage Your Emotions for More Calm + Better Decision Making, Ep 82: Overcoming Your Biggest Self-Care Obstacles with Carlie Kercheval, Ep 81: Releasing Perfectionism + Becoming Enough with Mazi Robinson, Ep 80: Transformation Story: How COVID Transformed Keshia’s Relationship with God. In case you think it's easy for me to share about this topic because our family is no longer walking through those trials, I want you to know that we're currently battling unemployment. Thank you for giving up your life to teach me.”. Home » Family QAs » Get Help » Family Q&A » Faith Q&As » Trusting God in the Hard Times. If you’re hurting, the Lord doesn’t expect you to cover it up with a plastic smile. “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should … Meanwhile, there’s nothing wrong with being honest about our pain and frustration. Peter gives us four hard lessons about hard times--hard lessons because they’re hard to apply. This is a beautiful verse, but I believe many miss the true power of this verse because they stop at verse 7. 100 percent. It will show you exactly what to study each day, slowly allowing God's life-changing wisdom to change you from the insight out (and give you the strength and stamina you need for trusting God through this difficult time). That moment in the car last weekend when I got to remind my son (who had tears of repentance on his cheeks while we looked up Bible verses together) that yes, he was absolutely forgiven. No, you can have all those things and still not be blessed if all you are doing is seeking what you want and not God. Being in the center of God’s will may mean that you are in the center of suffering! Unspeakably amazing gifts of God that we would not have received any other way than to walk through this trial. I had spent time doing devotionals in the past, but now it was a daily necessity. Job expressed deep anguish in the midst of incredible grief and suffering. It may sound cliche, but really, one of God's best gifts to us through this trial is that we're learning what it really means to count it all joy. But you have to do your part. I've found that when I take this seriously–meaning, when I really do regularly choose to savor these gifts and promises from God–it is so much easier for me to discover joy in a trial. And, day-by-day, this love Bible study is designed to teach you how to grow closer to God. It hasn't been easy (and what we learned a long time ago when we paid off 100K in debt is really coming in handy). He has provided and will continue to provide for us (and for you as you trust God in your difficult time). We should also bear in mind a couple of very broad principles that are fundamental to the biblical worldview. Yes, seventeen very long months of no income. They speak softly—so softly that its easy to wonder if they’re even there. God hasn’t promised us a rose garden. The only place I found strength. It affected our physical bodies, bringing sickness and death into the world. Read this book using Google Play … Some of my greatest moments of spiritual growth have come during my toughest trials! Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Paul, who wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament, had his fair share of tough times- Read 2 Corinthians 11:23b-27. Why don’t we spend more time savoring the good? Guntzelman offers us new ways of looking at our situation as well as reminders to trust in t… Like the utter agony of being broken–again and again–by this trial. As host of the Vibrant Christian Living Podcast, she inspires thousands of women each week with practical tips and powerful inspiration on how they can create the life of their dreams and live out God’s best plan for their lives. Even when God seems 1,000 miles away and uninterested in our affairs, He is with us step-by-step during difficult times. Suddenly God's peace feels far away because they've forgotten to habitually replenish ourselves with God's promises. So, be ready. When we allow these thoughts to dominate we create a stagnant, spiritual “soil” in our minds that make it difficult to really have faith in God during hard times. I've bolded those sections because I believe they are the final missing piece to how we discover joy in trials. This really does help one to cope with very difficult situations because you know that God has already shown you the end game. First, we must never forget that we live in a fallen world. Friends, we get lost in the sorrow. How can I be thankful and trust God at a time like this? When we are going through tough times, we need to turn to the light of Godâ? He hears your prayers even in the dark times when He seems absent and silent. You want God to show you how to stay strong during this difficult time. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (. Hope Again : When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade, When Your World Falls Apart: See Past the Pain of the Present, Articles I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ... power company turn blind eye on Chinese abuses. Bible study–a time of deep connection with God–is exactly what you need right now. And for those who follow Christ, we have hope in God, even in the tough times. 1. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” —2 Corinthians 1:3 “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to … Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Christ has come to reconcile us to God, to each other, and to our true human nature. God sees you. Tonight I watched the sunset. … You have to make a commitment to stay close to Him. We see them when we slow down enough to notice their presence. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. One truth we've seen proven over and over as we trust God through hard times: God is faithful. How about you? It is, in a very real sense, a defective and abnormal world. He hears your prayers even in the dark times when He seems absent and silent. We wonder, “How in the world can He love me and let this happen to me?”. I write them down (usually in a pretty journal like this one) and savor the lovely little treasures of goodness that are present: I choose to savor these moments, like I’d savor a fine piece of cheese or an exquisitely-flavored chocolate truffle. It introduced pain and suffering into our lives. Genesis 3 tells the story of mankind’s fall from grace. It's right that we have so many friends and family who are praying for us daily. Then the God of peace will be with you.”. As a Christian, I know that I'm supposed to "give thanks in all things" and look to the Lord for my daily needs. $6.6 Million Match! It's true that God is working out all these difficulties into a beautiful future for me. is possible for any of us. An excerpt from the book, "Turning to God in Tough Times". All rights reserved. Are you guilty of this too from time to time? On the contrary, it states very clearly that while we live in the flesh, we can expect to experience “groanings” within ourselves as we look forward to the final “redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). | Powered by WordPress. The coronavirus is invisible to the naked eye. And we have been unemployed for over 17 months now. If you go through difficult times, you may get mad, at God or at those who caused your … Transform your mind and your spirit as you apply the power of God's love to your life. Tribulation tests our identity as Christians – Tribulation tests our identity. Check out the admonition in the subsequent verses (Philippians 4:8-9): “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. David poured out his heart to God in the Psalms. And maybe we somehow feel that meditating on the “what ifs” brings a bit more control to the chaos. Although I don't know the unique situation you're in, I know for a fact that God is MORE THAN ABLE to help you through this. I will glory … I watched the sun dip lower and lower behind a silhouetted mountain crest and then—just like that!—it disappeared. I know because my husband and I have had to trust God through hard times on several occasions: And today, I want to teach you the practical insights I've learned so that you can stay strong during this trial and trust God despite the difficulties! That’s probably why the words, “Don’t … Here’s how you can find strength in tough times by turning to God for help: Instead of trying to avoid suffering, seek to learn and grow through it. Respectful yet challenging, it presents the fundamental wisdom that we can, if we choose, not only survive suffering, but actually use it to grow in love, compassion, and generosity. You may believe on a surface level that you are loved by God, but let me tell you, going through a hard time is usually the time when we begin to question God's love. Dig into His Word. Speaking of a personal relationship with God, the BEST way to stay strong during a difficult trial is to spend time each day growing closer to God. 3 Secrets to Trusting God During Difficult Times. Remember God’s Grace. It means reading God's word and applying it to your life. God is not a liar that He should lie. In the parable of the sower … … Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. What are you choosing to savor today, and how is that affecting your ability to trust God through this trial? That misguided idea has no place in the message of the Christian gospel. You want change. At times, painful life circumstances seem to obstruct our view of Him and His goodness. Yes, I will give families hope this Christmas! Many of us have experienced, are experiencing or will experience difficult moments that make us wonder whether there is any hope for our future. Photos and content may not be reproduced without express written permission from site editor. Listen, knowing that you are loved changes everything when we're walking through a trial. … Jay Taylor’s show will explain the real underlying causes for plunging stock prices, plunging home prices and growing unemployment. The scriptures below are some of my favorites, my go-tos when life gets hard. By: Abdul Sattar Ahmed. The reality of this situation was difficult to take in. And a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to have that kind of unshakeable joy through all circumstances (you can read more about that here). It's called the Spiritual Growth Rhythm, and you can learn more about it here in this video. Then the God of peace will be with you.”, we're learning what it really means to count it all joy, GO HERE TO GET STARTED IN THE “I AM LOVED” BIBLE STUDY. I’m blessed if I have a kid by 30, I’m blessed is I make 6 figures by 35, I’m blessed if I’m married by 25. It reminds us of His love, tells us about His purposes for trials, encourages us to endure, and strengthens us in the process. 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051, call our counselors here at Focus on the Family, How God Uses Uneven Paths to Teach Us Wisdom, Grandparents Threatened to Either Support Transgender Grandchild or Be Cut Off, How to Find Counseling Support for Teen With Sexual Identity Issues, When Family Secrets Come Out: How to Work Through Your Feelings and Find a Way Forward. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. You have to take action. When life seems full of pain, we need to remember what Paul said to Timothy about “enduring hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). Nor does it necessarily imply that we have sinned against Him or displeased Him. Pain and hardship are the instruments He often uses to correct our thinking, turn us around, and guide us onto His path. It brings God so much glory when we call on Him when we are going through a tough situation. We play those damaging “what if” thoughts over and over. You'll walk away with a tangible list of ways that God’s love can change your life, right now! Read "Turning to God in Tough Times: Prayers to Comfort the Heart and Sustain the Spirit" by Joan Guntzelman available from Rakuten Kobo. Listen, friend, I've walked these same difficult roads and I know how AWFUL it can be to deal with tragedy and heartbreak. But we're being blessed with many priceless spiritual treasures as we're learning about trusting God during difficult times. Copyright 2013-2020 Vibrant Christian Living. “Turning to God in Tough Times is a wonderful book for those who are experiencing any type of difficulty in their lives. Not in this present world, anyhow. To see difficulty the way God does, we need Bible verses for hard times we can hold on to. God will not turn you away. When I'm enduring a trial I have to regularly quiet my heart: to let out the surge of emotion that's building; and to allow God to replenish my soul with reminders of the beauty that is happening in my little world. Not because they are good, but, honestly, because sometimes it feels good to feel sorry for ourselves. I can’t remember the last time I did that. . Even physically painful. Won't you take that step today? This book will help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness and despair. Our Father in Heaven has a plan to fix the brokenness of the world and heal the pain in our personal lives. If you're going through an intense trial, I'm not here to give you simple Christian platitudes or to  promise that you can avoid the pain of a trial. You can't just read the words in this post and click away and hope things change. But we have seen the form of the Lord many times before—in life and in … One truth we've seen proven over and over as we trust God through hard times: God is faithful. First, we must acknowledge and release our fears. Let this Bible study on love transform this difficult time into a season of beautiful spiritual growth! The Word of God shows us how to walk through times of adversity. If things go wrong and trials beset us, this isn’t a reflection on the power and genuineness of God’s love. But the problem is that the longer we hang out here the more familiar the thoughts become. He has provided and will continue to provide for us (and for you as you trust God in your difficult time). Because, truly, God does have a wonderful purpose for these challenging situations. 12:8). But that growth only came because I chose to spend time studying the Bible each day, trusting that God would give me the insight I needed. Then, once we have this clean slate, we must regularly “fix our thoughts” (which sounds a whole lot like “savoring,” don't you think?) How God Uses Uneven Paths to Teach Us Wisdom: Barb Rosberg shares how God uses affliction and loneliness to teach us to have a heart of wisdom. To explain this principle, I want to share a simple scene from my life. That’s why it is in the quiet and stillness that we can see them appear—like rabbits that suddenly materialize on a grassy field at twilight. I know you didn't just come here for a list of feel-good phrases and a few Bible verses, right? Excruciating. Google+ . Guntzelman offers us new ways of looking at our situation as well as reminders to trust in the Lord and his plan for our lives. It separated us from our Creator and our true nature. Hannah complained loudly about her childlessness. This book will help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness and despair. Faith is what helps us trust God in difficult times. Clinging to God in Difficult Times Feeling powerless. This book will help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness and despair. These are priceless gifts from God—rich and decadent treasures that are not meant to be gobbled up but to be remembered over and over. Practically speaking, what does that look like? $6.6 Million Match! March 15, 2020 in Opinion. That's why I want to give you a SIMPLE, EASY way to grow closer to God through daily Bible study. Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness. It caused us to rebel against Him and engage in denial and self-deception. This amazing Bible study is exactly what you need right now to stay strong through this difficult trial. (I'm guessing that you could use a hefty dose of God's love right now?) They get crowded out in the mad jumble of a hurried life. Step 1: Don’t Fret. This is the second thing we need to bear in mind. 5. this Bible study is exactly what you need! Guntzelman offers us new ways of looking at our situation as well as reminders to trust in the Lord and his plan for our lives. 100 percent. You have to choose to spend time with Him, allowing Him to teach you about His unshakeable joy and peace. You have to bring these truths into your life. Well, the pain is easier to discover, especially when we overcrowd our hectic lives with activity. Introduction. When we are going through tough times, we need to turn to the light of God’s love, but we often find it difficult to do so. What would your list look like? These are nourishment and hope during the most difficult times. He loved us enough to send Jesus Christ, His only Son (John 3:16), to reverse the effects of the fall. As I sat there savoring the last glimmers of sunlight, I asked myself: What have I been stopping to savor in place of moments like these? It threw a wrench into our relationships with one another. As a Bible teacher, author and professional Christian life coach, Alicia Michelle empowers women to cultivate a closer walk with Christ through her Connected Bible Community, and other 5Rs Bible Study™ resources; and to find life balance and overcome negative thought patterns through her signature coaching programs (Reset Life Balance Group Coaching; The Mindset Makeover). That's why today I highly encourage you to get the “I am Loved” Bible Study Course. -  Designed by Thrive Themes For all those who come to Him in their hard times God says, “I will deliver you.” Do not give up in prayer. Let me tell you–if we allow our thoughts to habitually linger on the “what ifs,” we will cripple our ability to trust God during hard times. Follow her on Instagram at @vibrantchristianliving and learn more about the Connected Bible Community and group coaching programs at VibrantChristianLiving.com. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Like the fears of the future. I get to spend my days around little children with pure hearts who see the world innocent and full of promise. The men and women of the Bible understood this. I found a Bible in the waiting room and opened it to Psalm 91. “For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5. I want to show you that yes, it is possible to have HOPE and JOY when you're trusting God through a difficult time. I mean, it's understandable that we struggle with this! This book will help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness and despair. Home » Family QAs » Get Help » Family Q&A » Faith Q&As » Trusting God in the Hard Times. on those things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. This book will help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness and despair. Because of this the world in which we live today is not the world as God intended it to be. The Psalm 37 message teaches us to delight in the Lord, it reminds us of the ultimate fate of both the wicked and those who choose to follow God, it reassures us that the Lord is fighting for us, but most important, it shows us exactly how to trust God in difficult times.