How do you make it through hard times? The loss of a spouse? Illness? As I comforted a friend who had lost her father, I thought back on what helped me when I faced the same circumstances. No matter what storm you face, God will see you through. He is faithful.
~~~
“I don’t know how I’m going to make it without him,” she cried.
I knew the anguish my friend relayed after losing her father. I remember saying those same words after first losing my father, and then again after losing my mother. I thought my whole world would come to an end.
I listened as she cried softly on the phone and then one by one shared memories of her father, often interspersed with the same sentiment: “I don’t know how I’m going to make it without him…”
I waited, just listening, not saying a word until she asked, “What am I going to do? How am I going to make it without him?”
“He loved you very much. You’ll miss him, and it’ll be hard. But you will make it because God will help you—one moment at a time.”
“You’re right. I knew that’s what you’d say. I do know how I’ll make it.”
God will see you through the storm.
As she lapsed back into stories of times with her father, and more tears from her grief, I thought back on times of God’s faithfulness in my own life.
He has seen me through some very dark days after losing my father to a fatal heart attack, losing my mother to lung cancer, the loss of our baby to miscarriage, caring for my husband through multiple bouts of cancer, the loss of my husband’s mother to Alzheimer’s dementia, personal illness, and so much more.
God provides enough grace for each day.
Each time we faced trials, God was always faithful. He provided enough grace for the day.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God showed me multiple times that He saw me. He knew right where I was. And, God sees you, too.
God is faithful to provide the strength we need.
He has always supplied enough of what I needed, when I needed it. Not a minute too soon, and never a minute late. We serve an on-time God.
I remember spending long days and nights at the hospital when my husband was in ICU being treated for cancer. Those were days when I remember praying for strength to get through not the day, but the next five minutes, and then the next. And He was faithful to provide the strength we needed.
Fos promises, “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
For more Bible Verses when you need strength, visit: 10 Scriptures When You Need Strength.
God provides the help we need.
When we face difficulties, it’s important to remember that our words have power:
“The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21).
So while it might be tempting to say, “I don’t know how I’m going to make it…” the truth is, “I will make it with God’s help because God promises, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”” (Philippians 4:13).
It’s also helpful to speak scriptures and declarations out loud because faith comes by hearing. When you’re facing difficult circumstances, say this out loud: God will see me through.
You have to trust Him in the storm.
Hope-Filled Perspective: God Will See You Through One Moment at a Time
When you’re facing hard times, what scriptures do you lean on to remind yourself that God will see you through the storm? Please share them in the comments.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
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Thank you so much for this this today; so needed to be reminded. Found out yesterday that my father’s cancer has spread and thst he has been given a grim prognosis. Weighing heavily on my mind this morning…
Nicole,
I have walked the journey of cancer with several loved ones. I’m so sorry for your heart ache. May I pray for you?
Father, I lift up Nicole and her father to you. I ask you to be very near and ever present to them and their family right now. You are both the Comforter and the Great Physician. You say in your word that it is your desire that we would be in health and prosper even as our soul prospers. Place your healing touch upon Nicole’s father right now, in Jesus’s name. Give them both your peace that defies all humanly understanding. Hide them in the shelter of your almighty wing. Surround them with others who can uplift and support them. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.
This is SOO true sister; He provides the sufficient grace we need for the next 5 minutes; because some days all I can think about is those next five minutes. Yet His MIGHT and power in our weakness is absolutely incredible. You are such a precious gift sister in reminding us of our God’s unending love and incredible faithfulness.
Emily, how grateful I am for sisters in Christ who can remind us of God’s truth, and who can stand with us on God’s promises. I pray that you will know how wide, how high, and how deep God’s love is for you, not just for each five minutes but the whole day through as you face whatever you are going through now. Big hugs from your sister in Christ. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
God’s timing is so perfect. I lost my dad in January and my grief and sadness is overwhelming. I am clinging to him each day and alot of times, each minute. Thank you so much for this message of His truth and His help for us. I will share it with my family too.
Hi Michelle,
Visiting from Literacy musings, I have experienced God’s timing in my life over & over, His timing is always perfect, wisely not in our timing!
I am a fellow professional Counselor from Australia & it is nice to find a peer in the blogging world.
I am on a sabbatical at the moment due to Chronic health conditions & have just started my blog.
You are most welcome to drop by with your favorite beverage & tasty treat for a time of reflection.
Jennifer
He is the only way we make it, I don’t see how people even live without Him, well, I guess they don’t, their lives are more under the words of death they speak.
Michele, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us at the #LMMLinkup! God is the only one who can help us through life. Even in hard times, He is there and will never leave us alone. Many blessings to you, dear Michelle!
I don’t know how people without Christ make it through difficulties. It’s not that we don’t experience hardship and loss, but knowing that our Father walks those roads with us makes all the difference!
Amen – God will provide. Thank you for sharing on Grace and Truth. I am writing on grief as you know right now so your posts are being shared with my readers. Thank you@
So many times God has seen me through hard times, even when I thought I could not make it through them. So glad he is there to help. Thanks for these words, Michelle.
Amen! God is always faithful (but he doesn’t give us what we want–he’s not a butler).
There is so much hope in this post! Thank you!
This is such an encouraging message. We really learned this several years ago when my hubby had a brain bleed. He had surgery, only spent a few days in the hospital and then had physical therapy at home. He was just so weak and a bit off balance for a time. Otherwise he had no other physical symptoms praise the Lord!!! But many days it was God will get him through one second, one minute at a time. At first it wasn’t even one hour but 5 minutes and then 15 minutes. We walked this step by step process as you are sharing and soon he was up to one hour and one day at a time. God did see us through and we praise His name. Thank you for sharing this with us! You are a great blessing and we appreciate how you use what the Lord has shown you in your life to help others. God bless you Michelle!
I needed this and will be praying one of these scriptures in particular. laurensparks.net
Lauren, I’m glad this encouraged you. Praying his word will always be an effective prayer. Hugs!
Michelle,
When I am facing a difficult trial and I wonder how I’m going to make it through, I look back over my life and review ALL the times God has seen me through the valleys and enabled me to endure the crucible. Seeing how He’s brought me through, gives me confidence that He will be faithful to carry me through whatever lies ahead. Confidence build from experience. Great reminder today!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I value your sharing your conversation with your friend. It showed me how you did not rush in to give advice or perspective. You waited and listened, then after she asked, you answered her question. So helpful to see that as an example and the truths you remind us of as well.
Thank you Gretchen. I’ve learned through my own experiences that what is so often most needed and most desired is just for people to be present in our pain. People don’t care what you have to say until they know you care.