Encouragement seems in short supply when we go through seasons where it feels like we are being dealt one blow after another. We are left bruised and broken, wondering how we are supposed to have the strength to carry on.
Maybe you’re staring down the wrong end of a medical diagnosis. You may have lost your job. Or perhaps God is asking you to walk a particularly difficult or challenging path right now.
Or perhaps it’s just a 2020 thing? This blessed year that just keeps on giving (amiright?). This whole year probably qualifies as a difficult season for most, if not all of us. It has certainly thrown some major curve balls no one could have imagined. And in the midst of that, life doesn’t stop.
You may also be facing a myriad of other difficult things that life throws our way and wondering what you did wrong and how you can carry on.
If so, you are in good company. Job did everything right. So much so that God commended him. To the devil. Facepalm. He pointed him out like a proud papa and it all went downhill from there. Everything that could go wrong did so. He lost all ten of his children, his businesses and then his health (Job 1-2).
What about David? He was anointed king as directed by God and then hunted for years because of that anointing. Countless days on the run fighting for his survival and many nights stuck in dank caves alternating between lamenting and praising God. One time, he had to pretend he was mad to avoid capture. There he was, the brave and renowned valiant giant slayer and God-chosen future king of Israel deliberately foaming at the mouth and covering his beard with saliva (1 Samuel 21:13).
Or what about Elijah? He was staunch in his faith, delivering God’s message to the people and destroying the false prophets. But as a result the evil Queen issued a decree that was probably not unlike that of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, “off with his head!”. Needless to say, Elijah had to go on the run for his life.
Despite the apparently insurmountable odds these men faced, we often turn to their biblical accounts and that of many others (and women) in our times of hardships. For hope and comfort. Because their stories show us that our God has a track record of showing up and turning impossible situations around.
Each and every one of these biblical characters came through the other side and received beauty for their ashes. Joy instead of mourning. How did they do it?
I would like to share three tips with you on how to draw on the Lord’s strength in times of hardship.
Remember that God is always with you
God doesn’t only show up after or at the end to save the day. He is with you even in the mess. Even whilst Elijah was on the run and wishing for death, an angel of the Lord showed up and gave him food. Much-needed sustenance for the hard days ahead (1 Kings 19:1-9). After which, God showed up again and gave him encouragement and instructions on what to do next (1 Kings 19:10-10-18).
I find much encouragement in Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV), “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you“.
Instead of the word “them” in the above scripture, go ahead and insert whatever it is you’re facing now that seems insurmountable. Take heart in knowing that God has promised that He will never leave you.
Pray and Praise
Come as you are. It seems incomprehensible that we’d want to put on a brave face before the God who sees all things, but I think we all have times where we fall into this trap subconsciously. We are so used to putting on a brave face to the world and saying “it is well” that we forget that we don’t have to pretend with God.
Do what Moses did and tell God you won’t take another step without His help (Exodus 33:15). The Lord wants to be your refuge so turn to Him when you have need.
Isaiah 59:1 (AMP) tells us that, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, Nor His ear so impaired That it cannot hear” and Proverbs 18:10 (AMP) reassures us that, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil]”.
If words fail you in the place of prayer, which is not unlikely when life is seemly pelting you with everything it has, don’t despair.
Remember and take comfort in these words from Romans 8:26-27 (NIV), “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God“
Put on worship music. Even if I don’t feel like singing, I like to have worship music playing in the background on the days that I’m really struggling. This may mean I have music on almost 24/7 for days on end. My fanciful mind imagines that by doing so, I’m soaking my psyche and soothing my frazzled mind with God’s love and unfailing promises. Almost like osmosis. Pardon the science nerd in me.
Trust that God is in control and remind yourself of His promises
Trust that He’s allowing you to go through this difficult period because ultimately it’s for your own good. That’s usually a hard one to swallow but the bible reminds us that, “His ways are not our ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Even in the midst of his heart wrenching sorrow, Job recognized this and said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10)..
Part of the reason hard seasons are hard is because they are outside our control and we don’t know what the outcome will be. We want to believe that things will work out but that voice niggles at the back of your mind – what if it doesn’t?
I went through some unwanted changes at work this year. In the long run, I know that the changes may not necessarily be a bad thing. Only time will tell. But left to me, I would have liked to stay where I was, thank you very much.
With everything this year has thrown at us, I had enough on my plate without introducing a job change into the mix. It has been and still is, a lesson in trusting God as I believe that ultimately this will be for my own good despite no evidence to suggest that as yet. I’m having to lean on His strength and not throw tantrums every day.
To my impatience and frustration, God often leads one step at a time. Once you’ve followed one set of instructions, He’ll give you the next. It’s a faith journey; it’s not walked by sight.
A classic example is what He said to Abraham, “…go to a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Abraham didn’t know exactly where he was going, but He trusted God to lead him and set out. We also have to be like that and trust that God knows best and not resist His ways.
Resistance in this case is disobedience. As a quick aside, if He’s asking you to let go of something, even if it’s something that doesn’t appear bad or harmful, it’s important to obey. How else will you move on to what He has in mind for you? If you are struggling to obey, pray for grace and encouragement.
This faith walk we’ve been called to is often easier said than done. That’s is where you have to remind yourself of His promises and encouragement when the going gets tough.
Some encouraging scriptures for tough times
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
“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” (Philippians 4:13)
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29)
Friend, you are engraved on God’s palms (Isaiah 49:26). Let your strength be renewed in knowing that it is impossible for Him to forget you. No matter the storms you may be caught up in, God is in full control.
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