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: 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.
Good post!
I try to keep in mind that God’s timescale is rather broader than mine, and that for Him, events and opportunities don’t end with my death.
Things may get better in this world; or they may not. But in the long run, yes, they will get better. Much better!
Meanwhile, in the present, I keep my focus on the positive things I CAN do, rather than dwelling on the unpleasant things that are happening to me.
Andrew, keeping your focus on the positive things you CAN do, rather than dwelling on the unpleasant things is a beautiful example of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” I know it can be difficult to stay positive, but with His help, All things are possible. Good for you, Andrew!!
Thanks, Michelle!
On this rather trying night, you’ve given me a big smile, and I truly appreciate it.
God bless!
Our Hearts need a place to go in hard times. Thanks be to God for his patient leading and loving.
Great reminder, Michelle! Thank you!
Dear Michelle, I have never walked through the fire without coming to the other side free and more in love with Jesus!
Oh this is so encouraging. We are walking through some difficult times but not as much as others. The Lord continues to assure us He is with us and we KNOW He is with us in the midst and we see His hand caring for us, leading us, giving us wisdom and direction and providing for us. So we have learned over many years of life that you will have challenging and difficult trials but I am never alone in them. I never feel alone. I know the enemy tries to come in and bring fear, my old issue from years ago, but I am usually quick to recognize his tactics and just rest in the Lord. You always encourage and bless me with your messages as they affirm what I know to be truth. Thank you Dr. Michelle!
Thank you Karen. I think so much of it is dependent on where we keep our focus. Let’s stay focused on Him instead of the situation.
Thank you Michele for keeping me focused on God not the panic of everyday life! Cheyenne just visited us and You r in our prayers. Feel His peace! Thanks for uplifting me thru these Covid years!
Carrie, it’s so wonderful to hear from you. I hope you had a memorable visit to carry you through the harder days. If anything I’ve gone through can encourage someone else, then I consider that God giving beauty for ashes. Hope Prevails!
Thursday, March 17th ~ Hi Michelle, just to let you know that we shared your exceptional message on our public Heart”wings” Ministry page this morning.
Thank you for reaching out to hearts around the world to further His kingdom for His purpose and glory! Amen!
Michelle, this was such a good reminder on replacing the lies. Sometimes those lies slip in without us even realizing it and reading this post just now helped me this morning to keep my eyes on Jesus, who is with me in all things. Blessings!
Michelle, thank you so much for this encouraging post. It is so helpful for what we are going through with Dave’s health right now. I appreciate all that you share with all of us as it is always words to live by and inspires hope! #hopeprevails
Edwina, my heart truly goes out to you because I know how hard Dave’s situation is on you as a caregiver. Praying you feel God holding you up.