Chatting with You About The Hard Times, Part II

Hi there,

Recently I wrote about how we all go through trials, struggles, and painful seasons (If you haven’t read Chatting with You About Hard Times yet, please read here) before continuing with this post.

I discussed how we walk through desert times, fiery trials, and what feels like endless winters. I then went through the verse from Romans 12:12 that says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” At the very end of the post, I asked, “How do we put Romans 12:12 into practice?”

What does it look like to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer?  I have four helpful tips to offer you.

1. First, Honestly Evaluate Yourself in Light of These Three Commands from Romans 12:12.

Ask yourself these questions:

a) Am I grumbling in depression, negativity, or complaining when going through hard times? Then I am not joyful in hope.

b) Am I giving up or despairing while in the trial (woe is me!)? Then I am not patient in affliction.

c) Am I reaching for every remedy the world has to offer to get out of my suffering? Then I am not faithful in prayer.

We cannot begin to grow in these qualities until we honestly evaluate where we are falling short. I have to ask myself these questions when going through a difficult time and sometimes I don’t like the answers.

2. Keep Your Faith.

Hold fast to Jesus, our Redeemer. Be comforted knowing He can redeem any circumstance.  He can work anything for good. Job had a tenacious faith. He didn’t understand the what’s or why’s, but he clung to the belief that God would eventually vindicate his faith…somehow, some way, some time. Job faltered in his faith, as we are inclined to, yet that same God who sustained Job’s faith will sustain ours.  God is our hope! Job was devoted to God. Had his life not been anchored in God, he would not have endured.

Beth Moore (evangelist, author, and Bible teacher) says, “Faith is the only thing that will ever close the gap between our theology and our reality.”

Sometimes we get afraid that God won’t come through for us or that we will prove to be failures at having enough faith for Him to bless us with a miracle.We can walk by faith knowing our God is BIG, our God is ABLE, and He can do anything! If He chooses to answer differently than what we want, we can trust that it is His perfect will for our circumstance. If God chooses not to answer our requests, we don’t have to assume that He doesn’t like us or favor us or notice us. We shouldn’t believe that just because God chose another way,  it means we don’t have enough faith.

Keeping the faith means we keep seeking Him and Who He is.  God is who He says He is, and it means continuing to trust Him. Our faith is tested in the midst of hard times, which is why we must commit to trusting the Lord. That way, when stormy seasons come, we run straight into the arms of our peace-giving, loving Father.

Faith is God’s invitation for making the impossible possible! Priscilla Shirer wrote in God is Able, “Just because God can, doesn’t mean He will, but just because He hasn’t, doesn’t mean He won’t.”

Faith is what happens when we trust in the Lord, not just during a crisis, but all the time.  Faithfulness in the day-to-day stuff invests in the future. We keep walking forward, even when we don’t have the answers or have visible evidence that God knows our struggle.

Does your life reflect your faith? When painful situations arise, I have to keep my focus on God and not myself. How I live my life reflects the overflow of my heart. If I freak out every time disaster strikes, I am NOT demonstrating my faith very well.

3.  Put Key Promises from God’s Word on 3×5 cards or Post-It Notes.

There are hundreds of beautiful promises in the Bible. If you need some Scripture, email me, and I will be happy to send you some. Meditate on these promises when you are discouraged, sad, struggling, or feel hopeless.

“The truths of God’s Word are far more powerful than the facts of your circumstances!” Christine Caine

4. Don’t Try to Do it Alone

You are a part of the body of Christ. The Lord intends for you to share your burden with other believers. Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Friendships and close relationships are important! Have one or a few trusted friends who are your “home team.” Nurture your friendships and spend time with those who are important to you. Make time for coffee or lunch dates, dinners in your home, or walks for the sake of friendship. I am trying to be better at this myself because I know the value of a great friend.

Be there for your friends and allow them to be there for you.  Do not become too prideful and ever think you don’t need help. When struggling, ask your friend to remind you of the truth of God’s love, hope, healing, and power. This way you don’t have to stay in the pit of despair. Travel your journey of faith with people who will help you keep your eyes on Jesus, and not on your problems.

When I am walking through adversity, I tend to get grouchy, overwhelmed, and weary. I often try pushing people away and fighting the pain on my own. Anxiety builds and my tears begin flowing, and I feel all alone. Then, I remember I have a ‘home team” who roots for me, who comes alongside me when I fall, and who loves me even when I am a wreck.

Who is your home team?

 

I want to close with this verse from Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.” Yes, that is what our loving Father does.  He gives us a firm place to stand when all else seems unstable.

If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, please email me. I am happy to listen.

Blessings,

Natalie xo