Getting Through Hard Times
Isn’t it great that we made it through another week? No
really, isn’t it? We could have ceased to exist but no, we are here, still
living to hopefully fulfil God’s purpose in our lives. And because you have
received that gift, congratulations Chosen!
Of course, life isn’t always smooth, or as I mentioned the
last time; chocolate and rainbows, but nonetheless life is a gift. We all go
through hard times, whether it may be financial, spiritual, family-related,
career-related, health-related, relationship-related, friendship-related, or
even something I haven’t thought of, we all have our challenges in life. It may
seem like some people don’t experience issues but they do. Have you ever asked
them? Whether they choose to share or not, most times their problems are valid.
Also, bear in mind that each of us are built differently so what you may be
able to handle easily another person may not and vice versa. So, just as how we
wouldn’t like for someone else to invalidate our issues, we shouldn’t do that
ourselves. Additionally, as impossible as it may seem, someone else has gone through
whatever it is that you are going through. There is nothing new under the sun.
Once we have accepted that hard times are a natural part of
life here on earth, we can move onto getting through them. In Romans 8:28 the Bible says “And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose”. I’ve noticed that often times when persons quote this scripture
they leave off the part after the word good, but Chosen, I’d like to suggest
that we remember that part as well and identify that it’s his purpose and not ours. If you are saved, don’t think that all
your challenges are over; in Isaiah 43:2 the
Lord said “When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither
shall the flame kindle upon thee”. Note that God didn’t promise that
adverse circumstances wouldn’t come, he said when and not if. His promise here
is that they won’t overcome you. Look at Daniel, he was thrown in a den with
lions but did they harm him? No.
Chosen, it’s imperative that we seek God for more than just
his hand in our lives but because of who he is. He is the great I AM. And I
interpret that to mean, God is everything that we can think of that’s good and
more. So don’t get disappointed when we misinterpret God’s promises and things
don’t pan out how we thought they would. Have a read of this article I found called
10 Things God Never Promised http://bit.ly/2wixP69 which discusses common misconceptions
that persons often have in their expectations of what God will do.
(Courtesy of: theunboundedspirit.com)
Okay, okay, I am going to get to how we get through hard
times. Sheesh, I just wanted you to understand that the hard times will always
come in this life. Yes, of course I am going to tell you that you need to pray
and read the Bible, because these are key tools that I would like to believe
that we have established to be essential as a part of our lives. Friends, when
I say pray and read the Bible I am not talking about just the ‘Thank yuh fada
God fi another day, amen’ kind of prayer and the reading of the Bible verse of
the day courtesy of the Bible app but I speak of deep engagement with God. And
of course, I understand that based on our schedules we may not be able to have
that kind of profound conversation with God every instance, but do it as often
as you can. What I’ve actually found is that it helps us when we would have
already been making these spiritual deposits long before things get tough. God
doesn’t need anything from us, however when we would have had a certain
relationship with him before and the trying times come, if we can barely say a
few words to him during that time, I believe God honours that.
In addition to those key tools we should:
1.
Keep Focused On The Vision – Heaven is our
destination and we should let nothing distract us from that. Remember that
God’s purpose is way bigger than whatever is unsettling you at the time. We can
only see part of the journey but God sees it all. He is the God that declares
the end from the beginning, so trust in him http://bit.ly/Isaiah46-10.
2.
Surround Yourself With Godly People – It’s key
that you don’t stay in isolation as that will provide for more opportunities
for the devil and his workers to lie to you about you situation and get you down
some more. And importantly as well, to be around the right kind of people, as
they will likely have influence on you. Not like majority of Job’s friends we
read about but the ones that will help to bear you up in whatever way they can.
Try ahead to identify those friends who can outlast fair weather.
3.
Ride Out The Season – Nothing here on earth will
last forever and there is a season for everything, therefore your hard times
are just for a season. During the time, you may feel like it has lasted forever
but if you are honest you will realize that it’s only for a time. There is seedtime and harvest, day and night, so your season will change. However, while you
are in it, learn as much as possible; you never know what may come from the
experience.
Chosen, hard times will come but they will go as well. How
we handle them, determines our character and the type of children of God we
are. Use the key tools of prayer and reading the Bible in addition to the
strategy mentioned above to get through your hard times and come out
victorious. God said he will never leave us or forsake us. You’ve got this!
(Courtesy of:
youtube.com)
Friends, I’d like to point out that this blog is just for my
development as it is for yours. I too either have and/or am experiencing these
things I discuss. However, I take the wisdom that God has given me to try and
guide us in the right direction.
PS. I really tried to make this article not quite long since
the last two were. I hope you’ll stick around for my next post lol.
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