Sometimes life is hard.
We struggle just to stay above water, drowning in the situations and difficulties in our lives. It happens to all of us … and it can leave us weary. But these times of struggle, when the concerns of life bear down on our hearts and minds, these moments do not have to be wasted.
10 Truths When Life Is Hard
Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of; they just turn up some of the ill weeds unto the surface.
C.H. Spurgeon
When life is hard, we have a choice.
We can train ourselves to see the bloom coming from the turned up soil in our lives. We can discipline our hearts to see the small beauty in the midst of a dark storm. And we can learn to see our God at work in all situations.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
All things work together for good. Not some things, not a few things, not just one thing .. all things. And they work for good. Good like His plans for us are for our good (Jeremiah 29:11). Good like the gifts He offers us are good and perfect (James 1:17).
Sometimes, though, it’s hard to see the good … especially when it’s surrounded by so much bad.
We’ve been in the middle of some trying family situations lately and life has been hard. Last night when my husband prayed at dinner his words included, “Thank You for this day.” After he said “Amen,” he explained how hard that was to mean. It’s hard to thank God for the days that bring such pain. But we do … because even when life is hard, there are truths we cling to.
We are never alone in the storms of life. {Mark 4:39}
We are never beyond the sight of our God. {Genesis 16:13}
Even when God is silent, He is with us. {Psalm 22:2-3}
Jesus knows our pain, even the pain of rejection and feeling forsaken. {Mark 15:34}
We serve a God who desires to help us. {Isaiah 41:13}
Our God wants to come alongside us and carry our burdens. {Matthew 11:28}
God catches our tears. He is with us in times of sorrow. {Psalm 56:8}
When life is hard, our God calls us to rest. {Genesis 2:1-2}
We have hope! {Psalm 119:81}
God cares for you! {1 Peter 5:7}
Perhaps you are facing a difficult season … take care of yourself! Mind, body, and soul. But never lose sight of this truth:
We are not alone, not forsaken. He is with us. Emmanuel, God with us.
What truth has brought you comfort in life’s difficult seasons?
You might also want to check out my list of 10 books for the weary heart. Perhaps you will find other words of encouragement in their pages.
This is a fantastic 10 on tuesday list! Thank you so much for sharing. It sometimes seems like in the hard times, these 10 truths are the easiest to forget, but the most important to remember.
Thank you, Veronica. For your words of encouragement and your kind comment.
One huge lesson I’ve learned from those difficult days, the storms we have walked through, is trust. Not trust in myself, my husband or any other man but trust in Christ. In a recent difficult situation I notice I had peace. I look back and see how those past difficult situations have grown me spiritually. Praise the Lord I learned from the past. James 1:3-4 comes to mind: “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Isn’t that the best part of how God works in us … He allows every situation and circumstance to be useful in our lives. Such grace in that!