In the Bible, Paul promises we can do all things with the strength of Jesus. (Philippians 4:13 NLT)
Most of the time, it comforts me…helping me to keep going, not panic, stay strong.
Some days though? I am quite sure I can’t do things with Jesus’ strength or without.
My faith shrinks and shrivels, and my fear blossoms… What about these days?
Why is it hard to trust God during hard times?
When our mind runs away with potential scenarios that are so vivid they bring tears to your eyes and dread to your heart... What about these days?
When the bank account is negative, or our bodies give out, when our child wants to join the military, or our husband quits his job or even just when we feel there is no strength left to change another diaper… What about these days?
Can we tell God we have zero faith and doubt his words? Can we admit that things aren’t going how we dreamed and we are afraid of the outcome? Even, that we wonder if He sees what is happening here?
I believe that to all these things, God gives us an undeniable YES! He is pretty awesome, and we can tell him anything. He can handle it.
Even on these days. Especially on these days.
4 Bible promises about faith in hard times
I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people 2 Cor 12:9 (TLB)
Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9 (TLB)
I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world John 16:33 (NIV)
I am holding you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God—and I say to you, Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)
How do hard times make us stronger?
We will experience situations in our life that seem unbearable, shocking.
It is easy when things are going great (according to OUR plans) to assume that if we hold on tight to what seems to be working, we can keep the boat steady.
Not so.
That boat will rock and list in every direction. And then the water will become smooth again. Not even a ripple to upset our vessel. That is part of our journey, riding the waves.
Traveling forward. When we have times of doubt and despair, let’s drop the anchor and assess the situation.
It is very hard to get rid of fears once they grab hold, so just allow yourself to feel what it is. Get to the root of it and then…kill it.
Fear thrives upon our discomfort with the unknown.
Sometimes I have to allow myself to imagine rock bottom. An amazing thing always happens.
I see the fear for what it is and realize how asinine it is to worry about things that haven’t happened, might never happen, and even if they DO happen— are out of my control.
But here is my secret, when I get to that place of understanding, I remember God’s promises. I imagine applying them to each and every situation. And I remember who is guiding my ship.
That is where the peaceful seas are. Surprising pockets of serenity in the storms of our everyday life.
Letting God drive and just resting below the deck for a while.
And when we come up, we can breathe deeply again and set those sails forward. And we can smile with the wind in our face, because we really can do all things with Christ.
He does the heavy lifting and gives us the lighter end.
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How do I handle those days? Well, when I realize the overwhelmed I am feeling (which, oddly enough, often takes longer than you might think. I am thick-headed.) I go to my living room. Or my bedroom. Sometimes my kitchen. And I literally lay face down. And I tell God how much this sucks. And then I ask Him to remind me of what He’s already promised me. And I don’t get up until He’s reminded me that He is God and in control and He’s got this. And then I get up. And the circumstances don’t really change. But somehow I find His strength to move again. Thank you for this, my friend. God has used your words to get through my thick head that it’s time again. I didn’t realize it until just now what I read what He gave you to write.
Christa – this is a timely post. This morning our pastor shared about his neighbor (a local fireman who was critically injured this past week while fighting a house fire). Our pastor said it was so hard to understand why this happened to a man who was such an encourager to his family, neighbors, and church family. Sometimes we don’t think God is fair, but we know that no matter what happens, God is with us.
Thank you, Christa. This is exactly what I needed. I’ve been having a very challenging new year, and now I see that it’s based in fear. I already feel a burden lifted.
Oh you know, God does AMAZING things. Even when life knocks us to ground and leaves us breathless – with Him by our side we can come right back, if we give it all up to Him. Let Him lead you, get angry with Him, cry to Him but don’t doubt Him. My struggles have been insane for the past three months BUT I know that I am still standing because I am letting him drive. Thank you for this post. Love it!!
Ok Christa, how did you know I am battling fear?? So, here I am with your beautifully reassuring words… I needed this reminder of God’s faithfulness in *all* circumstances. Why do we forget how BIG He is and how small we are? How MUCH He loves, and all we have to do is… trust. Thanks for this, my friend. I just can’t tell you… truly, thank you.
Thank you Christa for a beauriful post! I could have written it! Feeling powerless is one thing. Believing in God’s power and love is another. When this sinks in, we are no longer scared or powerless. And how to I know? I have felt and saw it over and over these past years, when He was there to hold my hand when I had nowhere else to turn. Repeating over and over throughout the day, and night, “all will be fine” with a conviction that it will, seems to calm me down and keep the fear out of my heart. Meanwhile, I just go on doing the best I can being the person He wants me to be and trust that He has plans for us that wiiil be revealed when the time comes. Seing adversities as opportunities to grow makes life’s pains more bearable.
“And I remember who is guiding my ship. That is where the peaceful seas are. Surprising pockets of serenity in the storms of our everyday life. Letting God drive and just resting on the deck for a while.”
Christa, I love this imagery. Your gift with words is incredibly uplifting to me. The poetic flow of this particular image is soothing to my spirit. Grace and peace to you, sister!
I love this piece, and it reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by St. Francis de Sales: “Have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself.” Because when things go wrong, or you’re just really down, you have to remind yourself that it’s just a season and press into God. “Ride the waves,” as you put it, instead of hitting the panic button. Wise words, my friend.
Christa, you are a woman after my own heart and if we lived in the same community we would be great friends, great encouragers to one another as we walked through our trials of life. I love you already faithful, stalwart, truth speaking friend. May your voice be heard across the land to those who are feeling battered by the storm.
Jeannie! What kind words of encouragement. Thank you so much, I pray that truth is happening now. Nice to meet you here…for now. It is amazing how many people meet in person, as we discover the world is smaller than we think
Hi Christa~
I’m so glad you decided to post this again ! Your post was so filled with grace and honesty. What an encouragement and a word perfectly timed for me today. I was reading the book of John this morning and these words struck me…
“The WORK of God is this: to BELIEVE in the One He has sent.” John 6:29
It is a lifetime journey to work this out and practice it. There is work each day to believe all the things we say we do (at least for me). Love this post. Thank you for sharing !
Chenoah, it blesses my heart to know that that vulnerability helped encourage someone today! I thank you for taking the time to share that! Bless you on the journey…
How do I handle those days? Well, when I realize the overwhelmed I am feeling (which, oddly enough, often takes longer than you might think. I am thick-headed.) I go to my living room. Or my bedroom. Sometimes my kitchen. And I literally lay face down. And I tell God how much this sucks. And then I ask Him to remind me of what He’s already promised me. And I don’t get up until He’s reminded me that He is God and in control and He’s got this. And then I get up. And the circumstances don’t really change. But somehow I find His strength to move again. Thank you for this, my friend. God has used your words to get through my thick head that it’s time again. I didn’t realize it until just now what I read what He gave you to write.
Thank you for sharing your process, very encouraging
Christa – this is a timely post. This morning our pastor shared about his neighbor (a local fireman who was critically injured this past week while fighting a house fire). Our pastor said it was so hard to understand why this happened to a man who was such an encourager to his family, neighbors, and church family. Sometimes we don’t think God is fair, but we know that no matter what happens, God is with us.
Blessings,
Joan
So true Joan, it is ridiculously hard to reconcile those things though isn’t it?
I love this! It connects so clearly with how I get through some tough days.
Glad you could connect Chris
Thank you, Christa. This is exactly what I needed. I’ve been having a very challenging new year, and now I see that it’s based in fear. I already feel a burden lifted.
Stacy that brings joy to my ♥, I know all about fear based living. That is why I am fighting to hard to live bravely
Oh you know, God does AMAZING things. Even when life knocks us to ground and leaves us breathless – with Him by our side we can come right back, if we give it all up to Him. Let Him lead you, get angry with Him, cry to Him but don’t doubt Him. My struggles have been insane for the past three months BUT I know that I am still standing because I am letting him drive. Thank you for this post. Love it!!
Love that last piece about still standing Christie! God bless the journey
Ok Christa, how did you know I am battling fear?? So, here I am with your beautifully reassuring words… I needed this reminder of God’s faithfulness in *all* circumstances. Why do we forget how BIG He is and how small we are? How MUCH He loves, and all we have to do is… trust. Thanks for this, my friend. I just can’t tell you… truly, thank you.
Thank you Christa for a beauriful post! I could have written it! Feeling powerless is one thing. Believing in God’s power and love is another. When this sinks in, we are no longer scared or powerless. And how to I know? I have felt and saw it over and over these past years, when He was there to hold my hand when I had nowhere else to turn. Repeating over and over throughout the day, and night, “all will be fine” with a conviction that it will, seems to calm me down and keep the fear out of my heart. Meanwhile, I just go on doing the best I can being the person He wants me to be and trust that He has plans for us that wiiil be revealed when the time comes. Seing adversities as opportunities to grow makes life’s pains more bearable.
“And I remember who is guiding my ship. That is where the peaceful seas are. Surprising pockets of serenity in the storms of our everyday life. Letting God drive and just resting on the deck for a while.”
Christa, I love this imagery. Your gift with words is incredibly uplifting to me. The poetic flow of this particular image is soothing to my spirit. Grace and peace to you, sister!
I love this piece, and it reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by St. Francis de Sales: “Have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself.” Because when things go wrong, or you’re just really down, you have to remind yourself that it’s just a season and press into God. “Ride the waves,” as you put it, instead of hitting the panic button. Wise words, my friend.
Thank you all for contributing these fantastic thoughts
Christa, you are a woman after my own heart and if we lived in the same community we would be great friends, great encouragers to one another as we walked through our trials of life. I love you already faithful, stalwart, truth speaking friend. May your voice be heard across the land to those who are feeling battered by the storm.
Jeannie! What kind words of encouragement. Thank you so much, I pray that truth is happening now. Nice to meet you here…for now. It is amazing how many people meet in person, as we discover the world is smaller than we think
Hi Christa~
I’m so glad you decided to post this again ! Your post was so filled with grace and honesty. What an encouragement and a word perfectly timed for me today. I was reading the book of John this morning and these words struck me…
“The WORK of God is this: to BELIEVE in the One He has sent.” John 6:29
It is a lifetime journey to work this out and practice it. There is work each day to believe all the things we say we do (at least for me). Love this post. Thank you for sharing !
Chenoah, it blesses my heart to know that that vulnerability helped encourage someone today! I thank you for taking the time to share that! Bless you on the journey…
Why do I find it so hard to say how I really feel?
Sometimes it is a process to learn that it is OK to feel deeply and authentic, and not feel misunderstood. Don’t give up, God bless you Kelly!