Are you in the midst of trials and tribulations? How do you make it through? Why do you make it through? When I was in the midst of the hardest times of my life, I discovered the how and the why of trusting God. The difficulties led me on a path of discovery.

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“I don’t know how you do it. Given everything you’re going through, you still have a smile on your face and you continue to encourage and pray for others…” That was a message I received a few years ago after returning home from the hospital where my husband was admitted for multiple pulmonary embolisms secondary to his chemotherapy treatments.

Another friend remarked during our cancer journey, “I love watching you two live your hope and faith out loud. What an inspiration you are…Jesus is magnified through you every day!”

Yet another questioned, “Why? Given all you’re enduring, why do you share so openly?”

The question took me aback, but my response was quick and certain. “It’s just what we’re called to do. We don’t know any other way.”

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
(Revelations 12:11)

I have found that the best way to make it through the worst days is to testify about what God has done to help us before.

I have seen the goodness of the Lord, and He is faithful. He is the reason that:

• When I am in pain, I can still smile.
• When I am confused, I can still be certain it will all work out.
• When I am afraid, I can take courage.
• When I am hurt, I can still forgive.
• When life is hard, I can maintain my peace.
• When trials confront, I can still be thankful.

No matter what we go through, we never go through it alone, nor are our trials ever without purpose. God promises that He will work ALL things together for our good and for His glory.

God has a plan for each of us that is good and affords us the reason for our hope. As long as God is still on His throne, we have a never-ending supply of hope.

Because faith comes by hearing, when we attest to God’s goodness and faithfulness in the midst of our trials, it strengthens others’ faith. And when we can encourage others with our faith in the difficult seasons, that squashes the enemy’s schemes to bring defeat and despair and brings beauty for ashes.

Life’s difficulties led me on a path of discovery.

In the midst of the hardest times of my life, I discovered the how and the why of trusting God.

The HOW of trusting God

When it feels like I can’t do it any more, when I am too weak and can’t handle one more thing, I have to depend on Him. That is my, “How?” When I am at my weakest, that’s the best time to wait and see how He is going to be my help and my strength.

The WHY of trusting God

He has helped me get through every other difficult circumstance in my life, so I have no reason to doubt that He will do the same now. That, my friend, is my, “Why?” In short, because of Him.

Surely it is because of Him that #HopePrevails!

How do you make it through the hard times in life? I’d love for you to share in the comments below.

 

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.