So we ask the Father for things we long for because we want the full joy he offers us. God's Love Scripture Verses in the Bible | Cru. The Spirit comforts and reminds you of the truth. ); God is glorified in our lives when we accurately represent his character to the watching world. The Bible says that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. God allows for struggling to build our inner strength and faith. Answers that break and humble our hearts because the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (Psalm 51:17). But God himself comforts us when we cry out to him in our pain. Dont intentionally live in suffering if you think thats what God wants. Jesus is with us, ready to walk with us through the hard times. The same is true about God. When God puts you through hard times, you arent just struggling to trust God with your future. The Christian walk is not easy. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. If you think God puts you through hard times youll cope differently than if you believe God allows you to experience hard times. How you think about God, your life and the world changes everything including your heart. (1John 2:1). What does it feel like to surrender to Gods reign in your life? If we ask God for greater, deeper love for him, what should we expect to receive? 2 Cor 12:9. Billy Graham reminded his readers, Wars may rage; power-hungry despots may terrorize; accidents and natural disasters may destroy, but the future is in Gods hands. How Clarence Thomas Came to Reject Affirmative Action Does God Protection, really protects? } Required fields are marked *. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble. Do you question God? Recently, I have had more than one encounter with people who are trying to find support in religion and are looking for some special wisdom Gods wisdom in the Church. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.. See, God is not limited. To me, surrender feels like accepting all the bad and good things in my life. Do you want to love and know God better and better every day? If we ask God to help us stop serving money so that we can serve him more wholeheartedly, what should we expect to receive? While Jesus did not save my mother from Cancer, it doesnt mean He wasnt working. The Bible tells us what happened, what is happening, and what is going to happen. I dont always get answers, but I know He hears me. I never explored the reasons for most of the hard times in my own life, but I am learning why Gods people in the Bible face problems, pain and suffering. But we wont be alone. The truth is that as long as we live in this world, we shall go through hard times. So that's what AGW is all about! I dont give advice, but I can pray for you. Below are 10 reasons to give thanks during difficult times. We know God will make all things new, but he hasnt yet chosen to do that because he is giving lost people time to receive his grace, and therefore life will still always be very hard. How much time do you need to study God's Word. But is the internet the first place you turn to when youre struggling with problems? I forgot my sweet boy in the car yesterday on the hottest day of the year. It's completely free - my gift to you. In the face of those difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them. Ive been married to an alcoholic for years. The Bible records ways God has responded in difficult times in the past. He is making a way for you. And so often when we are burdened with a challenge, we think that God has abandoned us completely. They are not what we expect, and we often do not see how they correspond to our prayers. In such times it is easy for us to blame God for giving us a hard time. Since the fall, man has found it hard to trust God and remain grounded in Him. Well, throughout the Bible, the answer is consistently that we were made to glorify God. Catholic bible verses about strength in hard times It really help me. Life Is So Hard Because God Is Giving You Opportunities to Glorify Him. Our own poor choices can also bring suffering. It states: But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Heart break doesnt begin to express my pain. Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at markballenger@applygodsword.com. 1. He is never early, but Hes never too late. If not, He will definitely tell you what to do as you prepare for what lies ahead. All rights reserved. He cares about you, and you can trust Him with those things. In trust, you do not look for security in other things; you look to God to hold you securely in difficult circumstances. The Holy Spirit will lead you to what you should do. He is never late and never too early. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. God will only save those who choose to receive his. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Moreover, when Daniel and his friends took a stand for God in Babylon, the whole empire came to know God and was saved. Proud member To trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. Youre human. Thank goodness! Does Porn Use Disqualify You from Christian Dating? Im a mother to a beautiful 6 year old boy, if always been the best parent, tried for a home birth, breastfed, co slept, read all the parenting books under the sun and it has worked, my little boy is the most charming , kind, compassionate little person in the world. Why does God bring hard times into our lives? Privacy And your heart affects how you deal with difficult seasons of life. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Because this world truly is broken and corrupted. Its only by His grace that we as a family stand firm even in devastating loss that none of us strayed from the faith. Please wait for His perfect timing. And before God brings you into his presence, he will first cleanse you from all sin. If we want to be taken care of we must first seek God. God has not remade everything yet. These simple practices will help you see God outside of difficult things, which will establish trust in your heart that He will move in your circumstances. Were in the back half of Gods story but the end has yet to come. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Hardship is a natural result of living on earth. There are ups and downs along the way. We need you. How to Trust God, Even in Difficult Times | Cru In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, In this world, you will have trouble. He will bring direction to you. Waiting on the Lord reminds you that you are not in control. When things become good, we turn away from Him and start doing things our own way. Feeling like youre being punished by God is normal for two reasons: 1) life is filled with difficult losses, terrible tragedies, and dry stretches of boredom and loneliness; and 2) you are human, which means you screw up. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Are your anger and want to give up? How do you know God is preparing you for a breakthrough? This being true, we might be tempted to not even ask God for such things. Matthew 7:7 states, Ask,and it will be given to you;seek, and you will find;knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 6:33 says, Butseek firstthe kingdom of God and his righteousness,and all these things will be added to you. James 1:12 explains, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receivethe crown of life,which God has promised to those who love him. Sounds familiar? Remember that Gods plans are always higher and more fulfilling than what we could imagine for ourselves. God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. A time is coming when you will also be in a place where you will help people who are struggling like you. Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. He does not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step. He wants to help you grow your faith. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If thats not Gods grace then I dont know what is. Read Billy Grahams Answer. When things are going great we are not so quick to turn to Him. (John 14:26, NIV). Learn how your comment data is processed. But did you know that the biggest visionaries have been those that always gave people a hard time? He will sustain you and grow your faith in the waiting. Afflictions remind us of how fragile we are. I didnt get married until I was 35; my husband and I dealt with infertility and have accepted (and embraced!) You wonder why He is causing those hard times to begin with. Be encouraged by Billy Grahams Biblical response for someone going through an unimaginable time. on: function(evt, cb) { Eventually he got arrested a lot of times and is currently on probation. What caused the hard times youre experiencing? He never leaves. I know you know about the owner, mgmt and mgmts residential gang members vandalizing my home, threatening me, extorting my home while on IV treatment, financially overcharging me caught by an inspector, calling me terrible names, neighbors hitting me, the police will not take a report. Affliction weans us from this world, reminds us how transitory it is, and makes us long for heaven, for that day when well see Jesus face to face and he will personally wipe away every tear from our eyes. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. People are often easily drawn to visionaries. Anne Graham Lotz: Is COVID-19 a Sign of the End? Ps 107:6. Well, you're not alone. He wants you to learn to trust Him as you get to know Him. But even if we don't know the reason, God still loves us and wants to draw us closer to Himself. Affliction reminds us that this world is not our home, For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. He also gives you other believers to walk with. Why do we lose property, possessions, sometimes even people? Why do bad things happen to good people? So, what shall we do when we are in times of uncertainty while were waiting? The Bible encourages us to rejoice in our sufferings, Trust the process that God is taking you through. Who Will Take Care of Your Dog or Cat When You Die? And if we want to receive the crown of life in the future, we have to remain faithful to God during the trials in our present. Its' roots choke out joy and peace as anger and resentment spread through our lives. Read Billy Grahams Answer. While God has given us a choice, and we are free to do what we want, the one and the most important thing we should understand is God loves us so much. If we ask God to help us walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10), what should we expect to receive? They can pray for and support you. Do you think it's unfair? Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. As His children, we are called to imitate Him ( Ephesians 5:1 ). Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. When God answers our prayers, we become comfortable and get caught up with the blessings instead of the blesser. But as we were preparing for her D&C process, I wrote this: The conversation me and my wife had last night started heavy, remembering all the challenges to our health, finances and faith at the last chapter of this year. Answers that oppose our pride and humble our hearts (James 4:6). Just type in your email address below. Here are 3 reasons God allows life to be so hard according to the Bible. So He asked for help. Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget none of his benefits. Establishing a consistent time with the Lord when things feel good will help you to continue to go to Him when things feel rough. Feeling like you're being punished by God is normal for two reasons: 1) life is filled with difficult losses, terrible tragedies, and dry stretches of boredom and loneliness; and 2) you are human, which means you screw up. It is not pretending that everything is OK when it isnt. Are. Ive turned my life over to God and have repented. Share your feelings with the Holy Spirit, even when you dont know what to say. When you cannot see a resolution? God really led me to this site to see this. Is this why you sent me? Moses asked God in Exodus 5:22-23. that you are on my mind and I uplift you in prayers. It's comforting to really believe things will work out okayeven on a day like Good Friday, with so much suffering and pain. Here are five answersfrom Billy Grahamslong-establishedMy AnswerQ&A column to encourage and spur you on during whatever uncertain season youre weathering. He was God and became man a man who would give up the glory of His heavenly throne to experience pain, loss, grief, sorrow, hunger, lack, and sickness. Whats going to happen in the future is that God is going to make all things new through creating a new heaven and new earth and then give all Christians glorified bodies so we never have to struggle with the sin nature again (Revelation 21:1-4). Your obedience to God will lead you to His blessings. Why is Forgiveness so Hard? - Christian Counseling Just because your child is crying for a razor blade doesnt mean that you will give it to them. I'm Laurie, creator of She Blossoms on YouTube and author of Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back. In the midst of sickness, depression, unemployment, despondency and uncertaintyWhere. Our Vision is to See People Healed, Equipped and Set Free through a Prophetic Word and Prayer. I had to rush, My baby Reggie Roo, Gosh this pain is like nothing before, I am so overwhelmed with sadness that I had, I totally believe you! The One who fashioned our hearts, who knows our every drop of sadness, knows the exact medicine we need to comfort us. How to Survive Abuse When Youre Stuck at Home. He reminds them that He does not sleep or take a break. Life Is So Hard Because Theres Always a Process to Receive Gods Promises. Affliction makes us rely on Christs power, But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Hi, I'm Mark Ballenger and I'm so happy you've come to ApplyGodsWord.com. I have overcome the world.. Creation is Gods gift to Himself, and creation is a gift that leads to celebration. Are you tired of fighting unending battles? Sometimes He allows us to go through hard times to protect us from certain situations that will cause us to fall into sin and ruin our lives. When your mind is focused on the Lord, you will remain peaceful in the storm and stand firm in the promise that God has given you no matter what happens. Its in hard times when we are able to pay attention to what God wants to teach us. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the second Black justice to sit on the court after Thurgood Marshall, has spent years opposing affirmative action. Ok, it was the compensation of their captivities. Why is hardship part of a loving Heavenly Father's plan? Answers that force us to give unexpected attention to a neighbor (whom we might not put in that category [Luke 10:29]), which are inconvenient and irritating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Graham once said, May we store up the truths of Gods Word in our hearts as much as possible so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure.. My Veterinarians Advice, What to Remember When You Feel Like No One Cares. Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming at times. When Jesus was telling His followers that He was going to be killed, He knew that they would be worried. It is hard for one to understand why they are going through a hard time. Before every promise there is a process we must follow. God is much more reliable than even your most trustworthy friend. But we do not know ourselves very well, or the depth or pervasiveness of our sin, or what it really requires of us in order to receive what we ask for. I've served as a missionary, a pastor, and as a pastoral counselor. If God is giving you a hard time today, it's His way of using your situation to bless the nations. Or maybe you have gone ahead and looked for alternatives. He always sees them and is always working for their good. God is always on time! The paperback version is available for $12.99. If you feel like giving up, turn to God, and ask Him for strength during this challenging time. Your email address will not be published. Gods ways are not ours, and His timing differs from ours. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. And because hes a visionary, he often gives us a hard time. What Does It Mean to Turn the Other Cheek According to the Bible? For though He was fully God, He humbled Himself to the point of death. The Hebrew people were caught in the hardest, most painful time of their lives and they didn't consider God. Child protection is involved solely because of his false allegations that he has made against me out of spite. Most of the greatest gifts and deepest joys that God gives us come wrapped in painful packages. Talk about hard times in life: God called Moses on an ordinary day in an extraordinary way. She tries to responds but she has lost, Im so sorry you have to live like that, no one deserves it and I understand its so hard to. But how do we best bring God glory? Were on a mission to change that. Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. Hard times, to be sure! Sometimes we bring them on ourselves, because we've made unwise decisions or disobeyed God's moral laws. Hes my everything. That is why He can stand as our Advocate in heaven. He shared this with a fellow believer as encouragement. God is bigger than your circumstances. No, we pray for greater faith, love, holiness, wisdom, discernment, experience of Gods grace, boldness, and joy in God, while praying for less satisfaction with worldly things. God cares about them both. Its just that we want to understand. Butthe day of the Lord will come like a thief, and thenthe heavens will pass away with a roar, andthe heavenly bodieswill be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.. I am facing different battles physically and spiritually, yet God is quiet. OMG, I had grievance against GOD for so long, it was hurting me thinking, why would GOD made Israelite to trick Egyptian into giving their jewelry, although the Israelite knew that they were not coming back. Allow God to deal with your heart so that you dont end up taking His glory. "The way is hard that leads to life," He said ( Matthew 7:14, ESV ). Another thing to note is you may find it easy to trust God for 100 but struggle to trust Him for 100,000. I talk to God every morning in my journal, and have even asked Him why He puts certain people through hard times. You? This helps you accept that God is bigger than you could ever understand. He's not answering my prayers, why? Take for instance the moments in time when the nation of Israel fell into captivity, they often viewed it as a curse. If we ask God to increase our faith (Luke 17:5), what should we expect to receive? He is the author of. So, what do you do then? So it is not that God is giving you a hard time. AGW Ministries is meant to be an online blessing to you. Why is God Giving Me a Hard Time? Patrick Mabilog. Realize that you can have an impact even in the midst of a frenetic world. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The Crucifixion: Growing in Hard Times. 3 Signs God Is Saying, Yes, I Want You to Do That. If the path to full joy is sometimes hard, and Jesus tells us it is (John 16:33; Matthew 7:14), that is no reason not to take it! You need only to look. The Bible is Gods unfailing, unchanging Word. You can cling to its truth when life throws you a curveball. When you know that He promised you that job, business, contract, or marriage, but nothing has been forthcoming. God allows for struggling to build our inner strength and faith. Trust Me More, 5 Complicated Things God Will Allow When You Meet Your Person. Sure, you might be going through hard times now, but the blood of Christ and his saving power gives us the assurance that there will be a day that all our suffering will be gone, whether in this life or the next. To tell you the truth, I rarely ask why God puts me through hard times. Forgiveness on the other hand opens the door to healing. So if youre having a hard time today, my friend, know that Jesus is with you. God gives us a hard time because thats how he increases the vision for our lives, and uses us for mightier things. When we realize how powerless we are, then Jesus can display his might in our lives. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. My gift to you. All materials are posted on the site strictly for informational and educational purposes! Why is giving so emphasized in the Christian faith? Ive always known life is painful, hard, and scary. In all matters, Graham would point people to a deeper understanding of God through His Word, the Bible. Every Christian goes through tough times. The Hebrews didn't ask the Lord for help. If you dont run to the Word to remind you of truth in difficult times, it is easier for you to be led into lies about your life and who God is. He sacrificed willingly on the cross and then invited us into fullness of life. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Go to How Do I Hear Gods Voice? to learn more about how to follow the Spirits leading. Talk about OFW remittances! Plus you get FREE access to all of our eBooks. It was one of the most difficult moments in our life together. Most likely, your hard times are caused by a combination of factors. He also wants you to come to Him simply to spend time with Him. There are people who have inspired you to keep going no matter what. As well meaning as others are, there are times when no human words can comfort. Knowing that God is for you will strengthen your trust in Him during times of hardship and the unknown. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Getting Through Hard Times | Joyce Meyer - Everyday Answers Killing myself is not the answer. Im beaten into submission. On Monday I mentioned one benefitaffliction drives us to Gods word. Type in your email address and a copy will be sent right to your inbox. The truth is the human heart is wicked. See the incredible things that God is doing in your life and start glorifying His name. They are painful, and we should acknowledge that pain. Life is not predictable. Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. Moses forgot what God already told him in Exodus 4:21. They can change at any moment, even in an instant. Even if you could live a perfect life in complete obedience to God, your life would still be hard.