In this world, you will face trials, difficulties, hard times. God warns us of such. At times it will seem like you are surrounded by a flood of difficulty. Other times you may feel as if you are walking through the fire of hardship. The question is, how do you handle difficult times?

Trials and hard times serve a purpose

Sometimes trials occur to test us.
Other times they serve to strengthen us.
Still other times they serve to distract us.

In the midst of the trial, we may be tempted to question God:

Is God still there?
Does He even care?
Has He left me to face this on my own?

How do we handle difficult times?

Yet, if we will pursue God and what He has for us, we have the opportunity to see His provision and faithfulness. Often, that which we find so difficult and disheartening is the very thing that brings us closer to Him.

In the midst of trials, we succumb to believing lies:

  • Things will never get better
  • Nobody understands
  • Bad things always happen to me
  • You’re a failure
  • You are not important
  • You are all alone

Those lies can pull us deeper into the pit of depression and despair. As the enemy of our soul whispers lies to us, he tries to distract us from God’s truth.

Replacing lies with God’s truth

To fight that slippery slope, we must determine the lies we are believing and replace them with God’s truth.

  • When it seems like things will never get better, I remember that with God, all things are possible. “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’” Mark 10:27
  • When it seems like nobody understands, I remember that God does. Hebrews 4:15 says “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”
  • When it feels like bad things always happen to me, I remember God is my help in times of trouble. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1-2
  • When I feel like a failure, I remember the Word says, “Even if I stumble, I will not fall. God upholds me with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
  • When the enemy says I’m not important, I remember I am chosen and God’s special possession. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
  • When I feel alone, I remember God promises in Isaiah 43:2, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

So when you are going through difficult times, you don’t need to worry that you aren’t strong enough to handle the situation. Instead, know that you don’t go through those times alone. It is He who walks this journey with you who will strengthen you through it. God is faithful and trustworthy when you’re facing hard times.

How can you trust Him with the difficult trials you are facing?

 

 

Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.

There is hope.

Hope Prevails and Hope Prevails Bible Study

 

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.

 

In this world, you will face trials, difficulties, hard times. God warns us of such. How do you handle difficult times? We may begin to question God and believe lies about our situation. That's when we need to stand on God's word and believe His promises.

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