We all live through challenges in life. Some are harder than others. There are a few things I’ve learned over the years that align with God’s Word.
Challenges teach us the through it all God is our sufficient strength, not just a hope for outcomes. He uses trials to refine us, not destroy us, aligning us with His for growth, character, and a deeper reliance and revealing that He’s always present.
He uses tough seasons to prepare us for greater things, not just to inflict pain, but to mold us and to reveal His unfailing love and power.
God’s strength is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is are perfect in weakness.” This emphasizes that strength can be found in acknowledging our weaknesses.
When we recognize that we aren’t operating in our own power but His, we are able to move on to the next step, even when there are days that it feels impossible, God shows us His power in our weaknesses.
Trials are like sandpaper, they smooth the rough edges and remove hindrances which prepare us for the next level God has planned, rather than being punishments.
His presence is constant. Even when we are in deep waters, He promises not to let us drown, He assures us He is with us through any fire and flood. His presence is a light in the darkness. A few well known scriptures describe God as light in the darkness. John 1:5 states, “The light shines in the darkness, and darkness has not overcome it.” Additionally, Psalm 18:28 says, “ For it is You who light my lamp, the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”
Trust, don’t just hope. True faith involves trusting His plan and goodness even when outcomes aren’t what you want, this aligns our heart with His through surrender, Jesus molded this for us throughout His life.
There is a purpose for our suffering. Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope, and God uses these struggles for ultimate good, not to inflict pain.
The seasons of life. Difficulties are seasons, not permanent destinations, and just as seasons change, so will our struggles. This leads to new levels of faith and blessings.
There are ways God works our challenges.
He aligns our will with His. Prayer brings our desires into alignment with His, and teaches us to surrender our will to His perfect, loving plan.
Through trials He reveals character. He uses our difficulties to reveal His power and our need for Him, this builds our character and deep dependency on Jesus.
God prepares us. Tough times aren’t just happening to us, they are happening for us, equipping us for a future purpose and greater things.
He shows is His love. He demonstrates His steadfast love and grace and reminds us that He’s there for us and has our best interests at heart. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” This is a message of God’s good intentions and promises of hope, even during difficult times.
From Pity to Praise 