We all have those days.   We have those days when we are hurting. We have those days when we are sad. We have those days when we just don’t understand why something is happening.  We may turn to our friends or family for guidance and support, but may not feel as if that’s enough.  You may feel as though no one understands you.  Someone does.  Your Heavenly Father loves and cares about you more than you’ll ever know.  He loves you more than you can imagine.  He is “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” Ephesians 3:20.   I encourage you to turn to scripture to seek peace, refuge, and solace.  He wants us to know Him and to come before Him and depend on Him for comfort.  Psalm 46:1 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

I know that when you are going through the storms in life it is really difficult to find that peace we yearn for.  Advice to just open up God’s word is the best advice you can give or receive but not always the easiest thing to do. The truth is, when you do open up His word, crazy things start happening in your world.  You worry less, you are aware of more joy, your load feels lighter, you can’t explain it,but you have a feeling of knowing that it will all work out.  Reading a verse or two isn’t going to be a miraculous mind eraser of the struggle you are enduring, but it is a first step in drawing near(er) to Him.  He is always faithful.  Always.

Deuteronomy 31:6

 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you. 

I read this verse and I’m encouraged to be strong.  It affirms what I already know, that God is with me and he will not fail me.  But why am I going through this struggle?  The Lord never promised an easy road ahead, just that He will not forsake us.  But perhaps, He is building up your endurance.  (Check out the next verse.)

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Sometimes we feel like we simply can’t endure any more.  He is showing us in this scripture that the result will be worth it.  And we should look on these trials with joy.  This takes training and a different mindset than most of us is used to, but He will give you endurance to get through your hard times.

Romans 8:28

 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

We can’t see in hindsight.  We don’t know how God is using this situation for good, but doubting that He is, is the same as doubting that He can turn whatever it is you’re going through around.  God is bigger than your problem.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen; but at the things that are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Did you read that?  This current momentary situation that we are in, this current storm cannot compare to what He has prepared for us in glory.  “Do not lose heart!” this world is not my home!!  This is temporary, our eternal home is waiting!!

And finally I’m going to leave you with scripture that shows us of His compassion and love for us.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them. And they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.  And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes: and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain; the first things have passed away.

Be steadfast, keep going, don’t quit… I can keep going with my list of positive encouragement.  Won’t these hard times seem like nothing when God is wiping away our tears? When there will be no more pain?  This storm is temporary.  He will bring you comfort.  He is always faithful.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  He is bigger than your problem and He loves you more than you can imagine.

by Heather Powell