Sermon On Going Through The Process? Trust The Answer

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I want my dreams to come true now.

Sometimes I wish God was like a vending machine; I type in a prayer and God gives me what I want. We all know that’s not how it works.

God has a plan, a way, and a purpose for each of our lives. All this leads us to our destiny. He also has a process to prepare us for that fate. In this article we will focus on learning to trust the process. The process of reaching our destiny requires tremendous trust in God.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Psalm 105:19 NLT

God gave Joseph dreams to show him what his destiny would be. But Joseph wasn’t ready to live it out just yet. Before he could reach his destiny, God had to shape, shape and refine Joseph’s character. Just like Joseph, we can dream big and have a destiny that God has planned for us. And just like Joseph, most of us are not yet ready for those dreams to come true.

The power of still

I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I rush on to obtain anything and everything that the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me – and nothing will stand in my way, because He’s got hold of me and won’t let me go. Philippians 3:12 voice

Paul recognized that, like Joseph, he was in God’s process of training and had not yet arrived at his final destination. In fact, so many great men and women of the Bible have had to trust that God is preparing them for their destiny.

Moses did not yet have the humility to lead the entire Israelite nation (Exodus 3:11). Esther did not yet have the courage she needed to save her people (Esther 4:16). And Jesus’ disciples did not yet have the faith to build God’s Church and change the world (Luke 22:32). Faith lies in the “still”.

You and I are no different. I often want to give up the dreams that God has put on my heart because I can see all my shortcomings, sins, and mistakes. These difficulties only reveal that I must trust God’s process and let Him change me.

The process is different for each of us and for our children when we are parents. Sometimes the process involves difficulties, disappointments, and heartbreak. In other cases, it is about opportunities and success. All of this is part of God’s process and as we trust Him we learn and grow.

This beacon of philosophy and wisdom, Sesame Street has a great song, The Power of Yet, starring Janelle Monae that captures this process. We can all use a little Sesame Street to help us on our journey!

Here are 4 principles that will help us trust the process God has involved us in to achieve our dreams and destiny.

Pause and reflect

What areas of my character does God need to build in me so that I will be strong enough to fulfill the dreams God has given me?

How do I respond to the process God put me through to form me?

Choose a right view of God

I want to know Him inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and share in his suffering marked by his death [11] in order to reach the resurrection from the dead safely. Philippians 3:10-11 voice

In Paul’s journey to his destiny, his focus was not on the destination but on knowing and understanding God better. He knew that experiencing God’s power came from an “inward and outward” knowledge of God.

The biggest obstacle for me to trusting the process by which God allows me to grow is that I often have a wrong view of God. This leads me to distrust what God is doing and try to take control of the process myself. What is your view of God?

View of God’s Response to God’s Process Distant, Impersonal Entity I am on my own, so I must take control of my own life. Evaluator I always screw up, so I might as well quit. Punisher I will always have to suffer so I’m negative about life. The loving Father God cares for me and trains me to be free to make mistakes and to grow.

Pause and reflect

What are you focusing on? Do you want to get to know God better or do you have another goal in mind?

What is your view of God and how does it affect your response to God’s process of training you to grow?

take action

Which image of God best describes where I stand? Do a Bible study to learn who God really is. A good place to start is to understand all of God’s names in the Bible.

How do I see the training? Do a Bible study on Hebrews 12 to understand how God loves and trains.

let the past rest

Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I haven’t arrived yet; But one thing I do: I leave my old life behind and risk everything for this mission. Philippians 3:13 voice

When I graduated high school and went to college, I moved from Michigan to North Carolina. I remember thinking I had a great chance to shed all the flaws, insecurities and fears from my past and redefine myself because I was going to a place where no one knew me.

I soon discovered that a change of scenery didn’t change who I was on the inside and that I was the same person in North Carolina as I was in Michigan. In Philippians 3 Paul is talking about the opportunity we all have spiritually to truly leave our old lives behind. Indeed, being close to God requires that we learn to let go of our past.

Really knowing him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my bragging rights to the rubbish heap. Philippians 3:8 TPT

If I don’t let go of my past, I end up carrying too many burdens and baggage, and that prevents me from having the faith to change and grow. One of the best things about God is that he frees us from our past so we can start anew.

What burdens do you have to let go of so that you can grow?

Discouragement – This is when loss and disappointment have hit me and my faith is weary. I need to pray so I can pinpoint the discouragements I need to let go of.

– This is when loss and disappointment have hit me and my faith is weary. I need to pray so I can pinpoint the discouragements I need to let go of. Guilt – This is when my faith is blocked by the shame of sin. I need to pray and talk specifically about what makes me feel guilty so I can put it behind me.

– This is when my faith is blocked by the shame of sin. I need to pray and talk specifically about what makes me feel guilty so I can put it behind me. Indifference – This is when my belief is gone and I just don’t care. I need time with God so He can reawaken my heart to care for people.

– This is when my faith is gone and I just don’t care. I need time with God so He can reawaken my heart to care for people. Old Paradigms – This is when my beliefs are outdated and I try to recreate the past instead of letting God build a new future. I need to pray visionary prayers and read my Bible to see what God is trying to build.

Pause and reflect

What specific burdens do you need to let go of in order to grow?

How can you change your time with God so He can give you the faith to grow again?

take action

Who can you talk to and get help to identify and let go of these pressures?

Keep looking ahead

I sprint toward the only goal that matters: to cross the line, win the prize, and hear God’s call to resurrection life, found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed. Philippians 3:14 voice

Not only do we need to let go of our past, we also need to look ahead. Paul says he sprints towards the target and focuses forward. When I was running on the track, our coach taught us to keep our eyes forward instead of looking down, around, or back. It mattered most when we were most tired.

By looking ahead of where we were going instead of at the other runners or the crowd, it would cause our body to move forward toward the finish line. In other words, our bodies moved to whatever we were looking at.

I’ve also found that the most important thing in life is to move forward when I’m most tired. It’s tempting to want to look down or at others, but God wants us to look to Him and the destiny He has planned for us (Hebrews 12:2, 12-13 NIV).

Pause and reflect

What are you looking forward to?

What future is God training you for?

Develop an attitude towards learning

All of us who are mature should think about these things in the same way. If you have a different attitude, then God will reveal it to you as well. [16] For now, let us hold fast to what we have been shown and keep up with these teachings. Philippians 3:15-16 voice

I don’t always have the best attitude when I’m in the midst of God’s training process. Many times I’ve become bitter, felt sorry for myself, or just resisted the whole thing. The older I get, the more I see how important it is to develop an attitude towards learning. I have yet to go far enough to become what God intended me to be. It’s okay that we’re not there yet.

God has both you and me in a process of becoming everything He wants us to be in order to fulfill our destiny. The key is to always want to learn and not to commit or anchor to who we currently are. Learning to trust the process means having a willingness that is eager and happy about learning.

Pause and reflect

What is your attitude towards learning?

If you are a parent, what inclination to learn do you instill in your children by example?

Next Steps

We can all grow and develop inner strength when we focus not on a formula but on the experience of God’s love transforming us from within.

Chances are your faith in God has faltered at one point or another. Perhaps you have recently lost a loved one or are experiencing mental or emotional problems. Maybe you’re going through a painful divorce or just found out your best friend is sick. During these incredible trials it can be difficult to trust the Lord’s plan for you. But it is during these darker moments that the most important thing is to surround yourself with Bible verses about trusting in God. While it may be frustrating to rekindle your relationship with God after experiencing a painful obstacle, reading verses about trusting God will remind you of His plan for your future.

When you are worried about what may come tomorrow, lean on these Bible verses for comfort and faith in God’s timetable. After all, there is tremendous power in maintaining faith even in the most difficult moments when you feel it slipping away from you. Still, finding the right verses that remind you of the power to trust God can be difficult. This collection of powerful passages from the Bible will help you restore your trust in God and help you deal with whatever you are worrying about right now.

Find more strength, peace, and hope every day with WD’s Everyday Inspiration Bible Verse Cards—a portable box of inspiration that keeps the encouragement you need close at hand.

Nobody doubts that we live in uncertain times. Seniors and their families are facing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in assisted living communities and around the world, and with it come many unknowns.

When we feel fearful or insecure, we can turn to Scripture and the Lord for guidance and strength. The Bible contains several great examples of people proving that with God as your guide you can go through difficult times and make it to the other side.

Here are some examples of biblical characters who can be inspired and comforted during these challenging times.

JOB

Perhaps no biblical character suffered more than Job. Job had everything – a good family, a good name, and a lot of wealth. But then Satan went to God and asked permission to change Job’s fortunes.

Then tragedy strikes and Job loses everything: his children, his wealth, his livestock, his crops, his health, and even the relationship of his wife and friends.

And what did Job do? Don’t curse God like Satan thought. Instead he praised his name.

“Job got up at this and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said, “Naked I come out of my mother’s womb, and naked I will go. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21)

The rest of the book of Job tells us of Job struggling with his suffering and saying to God, “Do you please to oppress me, to despise the work of your hands, while you smile at the schemes of the wicked?” (Job 10:1 -4)

The moral of Job’s story is: It’s okay to question God or the reasons why something happens, but we don’t have to stick with it. Eventually, Job repents and is humiliated before God.

DAVID

David is a biblical character who is no stranger to tough times. He was anointed king of Israel and chosen by God, and yet he was also tormented by the jealous King Saul, who pursued David for many years and attempted to kill him.

The Bible tells us that David grew increasingly frustrated because he was constantly running and hiding, living in caves, and subsisting on whatever his men could find or whatever his followers gave him.

And again and again he had the chance to kill Saul, but he didn’t do it because his heart was good.

Of course, we all know how Saul’s story ends. He falls on his sword to avoid capture in battle.

Many of the Psalms emphasize David’s cries to God and his struggles, such as Psalm 142:1-2, which says: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I raise my voice to the Lord for mercy lament; before him I tell my troubles.”

Though King David struggled mightily with his faith, he never stayed in this state for long, as he still ends each psalm by praising and giving glory to God.

MOSES

Moses is another biblical figure who has endured several instances of hard times. Struggling to believe he could deliver his people out of Egypt, he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do the very thing he fled.

And with God’s help, Moses successfully leads his people out of Egypt, free from bondage. It is a high point in Moses’ life. At that time, everyone was praising God and singing songs.

But then there was a small problem: no water to drink.

God tested Moses and his people to see how they would react if they had no water in their new land.

The Israelites grumbled at Moses and wondered what to drink. And what did Moses do? He turned to God for help in his struggle, and God delivered.

“The Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became drinkable.” (Exodus 15:25)

After that they came to Elim where the Bible tells us there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees – plenty of water to flow around.

PETER

In Mark 14:26-31 Peter talks about how he would never deny Jesus. (“Even if all fall away, I will not” and “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.”)

And yet we all know the story of what is happening – it is happening exactly as Jesus said it would. Peter denied him three times at his trial, and after denying Jesus the third time, “he broke down and wept” (Mark 14:72).

After this, the Bible tells us that Peter considered himself unworthy and returned to his old life as a fisherman. All the disciples go with him.

The good news in all of this is that Peter was restored by Jesus, who is merciful, as stated in John 21:15-25.

The great lesson from all the lessons these biblical characters learned is that with God all things are possible (Matthew 15:26). And you too can find strength, comfort, and guidance in the Lord during these challenging times.

“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you shall see the glory of God?” – John 11:40

We are always told to have faith and trust God. In some situations, this is easier said than done. We sometimes think that if we do it ourselves, it will be easier. No one ever said that having faith would be easy, but it will be worth it, and here’s why.

1. He knows better than we do

God knows everything we are going through right now and everything we will go through in the future. He knows how best to handle every situation so that we can get the best possible result and we have to trust him to do that. We must follow his path and trust that he knows best because he knows.

“But if you ask, you must believe and not doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6

2. With God all things are possible

He knows your heart’s desires. If you entrust him with the things you want most, he will take care of them. He knows what is best for your life. If you feel like your goals are difficult or even impossible to achieve, think again. With God everything is possible. He has your back and will help you with anything, all you have to do is have faith.

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes.” – Mark 9:23

3. He is worthy of our trust

To have faith is to have faith. You have to trust with your whole being that God is behind you, that he will help you and care for you. He knows what’s best, but to truly embrace what he has planned for you, you need to trust fully. Our trust is not foolish, for our God is faithful and good. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures. Get acquainted with the promises of God, with his long-suffering faithfulness to the Israelites, to Abraham, to all of us. Get to know the character of God and your joy and willingness to trust Him will be great.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; submit to him in all your ways, and he will straighten your paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6

4. He knows what he’s doing

God knows exactly what he wants for your life. He has a purpose for you and has everything planned out. He knows who you will marry, how many children you will have, what job you will have and every other detail of your life, big or small. He knows what you will do tomorrow, next month and years later. Don’t doubt his plan because he knows everything and has a perfect plan.

Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circumstances. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and heritage, or to read more devotionals, please visit our website and read the GCU Blog.

Our society values ​​being in control and creating a life that is always organized, structured and planned. It’s a practice that can leave you stressed and depressed. Learn how meditation, love and mindfulness can help you set yourself free.

From a young age, you’re taught to make sure your grades get good, your bills get paid, and your career stays on track. If you don’t do everything on this perfect and control list, you can feel overwhelmed, stressed, and depressed.

But no matter how it looks from the outside, nobody is ever really in control. Our health, the families we are born into, the bodies we live in to some degree are all beyond our control, no matter how hard we try to the contrary. It can be difficult to learn how to let go of control and the desire to be, but expressing gratitude, embracing helplessness, observing nature, and the other tips below are some suggestions on how to live more cooperatively with the universe.

1. Accept helplessness

Sometimes when you are most desperate you shine the brightest because in those moments you have reached a point of surrender. This happens when you realize that what you are dealing with is beyond your control.

When you embrace this truth from an empowered standpoint, not as a victim, you can find strength simply by letting go of the struggle, stopping resisting, and accepting your inability to control the situation.

2. Tune into love

Love is the force that moves the entire universe. love is grace love helps. Love is caring and sharing. Love disciplines when destructive behavior arises. Love is tolerance and understanding. It’s so much more than an emotion; and it’s always available to you when you tap into it.

By prioritizing love in your life, you will attract more of it from the universe. Practice this and watch your life fall into place without any control or input from you – only loving intentions.

3. Let go of what you cannot hold

Most of us live in a state of reaction. Your sense of control refers to how much “in control” you feel you have. You probably already know what a self-deceiving concept this is. What is control? Is it really just how well or quickly you can react to something you can’t control?

Enlightenment follows once you let go of this sense of control, according to some ancient wisdom traditions. You really don’t know what’s going to happen in the next five minutes of your life.

As part of your growth process, try to learn to relax and let go of your control. While you are in control of yourself on some levels, your life is not meant to be micromanaged. Allow yourself to experience with wonder. Get confused by the unknown. You may find that the unknown is more favorable than your firm grasp on life. You already know what you know, why not experience something new and potentially beneficial?

4. Observe nature

Jesus is quoted as saying, “Look at how the lilies grow in the field: they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like any of these” (Matthew 6:28-29). One can use this wisdom as another lesson to learn from nature.

Check out how bountiful and bountiful nature really is. Observe the beauty and synchronicity of it all. As alien as you may feel here, you and your life are no coincidence. This entire universe is conspiring to give you experience. This power is always in and around you because you are also part of this universe. Try to see yourself as part of the work and not as an outside observer.

5. Show gratitude

When you express gratitude, the world naturally softens and brightens for you. There is something powerful about being genuinely grateful to the universe. If this is directed inwards, it can be transcendent. Be thankful for the little graces that appear in your life. These are signs that you have support. The more gratitude you show, the more open your life will be to this type of relationship with the universe and trust will develop.

6. Increase self-confidence

Awareness of your thoughts is important to all self-developing practices. The more you listen to your own mind, the more you will realize the role it plays in your life. Many of the trappings of our lives begin there. As you learn to trust and work with the universe, you must overcome these inner limitations.

Meditation is especially helpful for boosting your self-esteem. As your meditation practice grows, you may notice the contradictory nature of thoughts. By working on yourself to clear these negative thoughts, you will naturally begin to trust more. This comes from realizing that many areas of your life are organized and enjoyed by a force greater than you.

Experience the confusion and randomness of your mind and be thankful for the grace and synchronicity you experience. Let go of the details, focus on self-development, and the universe will take care of the rest.

7. Listen to your intuition

Your intuition is an inner guidance system for your life. Because it comes from a higher, more subtle part of your consciousness, it is often ignored, unheard, or misinterpreted. This part of your being is found in the stillness of meditation and deep sleep. While awake you may hear it in the quiet spaces of your mind or in brief moments of awareness.

The importance of intuition cannot be overstated. This guidance comes from the soul and connects directly to the rest of the universe. Listen to it. Just as your mind is adept at maneuvering through your tasks, so is the soul at navigating the higher, more significant levels of life. This is the inner conversation that leads to living a life of universal trust and love.

8. Recognize the grace of life

Everyone knows some kind of suffering. At times you may tend to focus more on the negative than on the grace that life bestows on you. Try to understand that paying attention to the negative fuels your inner control freak. As you try to build a trusting relationship with the universe, try to spend time focusing on how good it is for you.

This practice is more than gratitude; it is a diversion of perception. No matter what annoyances or even serious problems you face, there is always an element of grace involved. Everything from the air that fills your lungs to your family, work and friends is meant to be a blessing from the universe. All aspects of your life experience can be fulfilling and blessed if you choose to see them as such.

Take some time to notice how beautifully the sunlight falls into your living space. Appreciate a stranger’s random warm smile while waiting in line. Take the time to fully enjoy, fully chew, and consciously taste the delicious meal you are having. These small and often unnoticed events are the universe showing you kindness and love.

Notice how even the smallest things can go your way or just arise for you. To let go of your preoccupation with control, allow yourself to feel the safety of the universe’s intentions toward you. Although there can be unkind elements in life, in general it is extremely benign to you. Tune into this awareness and allow more of it to appear in your life.

9. Search unit

Look for the unifying principles of your life to discover who you really are. Build an awareness of yourself as a being having an experience. Your outer life with its actors, drama and props is as much you as your inner thinking. You are the all-encompassing experience.

Really care about who you are, what you do, how you live, your health, family and work. This is not intended to manipulate, analyze, or take over these parts of your life. The intention here is passive enjoyment and study.

Your fear and quest for control arise from concern for the unknown. Engage the world more to make you feel more comfortable. This applies to both your personal life experience and the larger global picture. Try to look at life and yourself from different perspectives and embrace everything. This powerful act can bring harmony and trust into your consciousness and will release your desire to control everything.

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Whether you’ve ever run a marathon or not, I bet you can imagine the thought process you go through during this vast experience.

I guess marathon runners face doubt and despair when they consider how far away the finish line is. Some may even experience physical pain that causes them to quit.

However, studies have shown that over 90% of those who start a marathon cross the finish line.

What do these people all have in common?

They trust the process because they believe in the end result.

Trusting the process means truly believing that the end result of your goal will be worth all the struggles you have to face throughout the process to get there.

If you’re not a runner, consider this: have you ever lived in a house while the kitchen was being renovated or some other type of construction was going on? The process seemed endless as you lived amidst dust, plastic sheeting and possibly even a “makeshift” kitchen in your living room. However, these inconveniences eventually resulted in a brand new build that was undoubtedly an improvement over what it looked like before.

Being able to trust the process at a time like this means you can see past the mess and see the satisfaction you are sure to find despite the current circumstances.

I have trusted the process in both scenarios, but there are many other life circumstances that require your patience, trust, and belief in the end goal.

In this article I will talk more about what it means to “trust the process” and how you can apply this idea to your own personal development. Then I will illustrate 8 simple strategies you can use to trust the process in your own life.

Let’s start.

What does “trust the process” mean?

“Trust the Process” is a chant often heard by crowds of 76ers fans. The “process” is a strategy employed by the team’s former GM, Sam Hinkie, prior to the 2013-2014 season. After a losing season, Hinkie formulated a plan to design a team that would ultimately include a star player, with the idea that because basketball teams only have five players on the court at a time, a single player has the ability to do so, making the outcome of a game strong influence.

Hinkie traded some of his best players to have the top three picks in the draft, allowing him to onboard some of the most hyped up newcomers in professional basketball. Hinkie used this strategy to acquire several free agents in the draft who could enroll on the team at a bargain price and potentially become superstar players.

The team continued its efforts to “tank” itself to further improve its chances of top picks in future drafts. Hinkie figured that even if a fraction of his draft picks were exceptional players, it would still put his team in a better position than before.

Hinkie trusted the process by creating a plan and sticking to it despite the naysayers. He focused on building a team player by player and didn’t let the fear of failure get in his way.

You can apply this idea of ​​trusting the process to your own personal development whenever you decide to make a change in your life. By focusing on your daily habits, your small victories, and the process of reaching your ultimate goal, you can push fear aside and not let it distract you as you persevere to the end.

Being “goal-oriented” is a common buzzword in the business world these days, but being so focused on your end goal can impair your ability to be present during the process and increase your impatience when it comes to delivering results see. We live in a society where instant gratification is expected, so you can expect things to happen quickly as you work toward a goal.

If your expectations are not met, you may be tempted to give up. People forget to enjoy the road to success. But just creating goals is not enough. If you want to see progress, you have to engage in the process through your everyday habits. It’s actually the small successes that become big successes.

If you can develop a sense of intrinsic motivation, you’ll enjoy the process of achieving your goal—whatever that goal may be—and ultimately be more likely to achieve it. No matter what your goal, trusting the process of achieving it requires finding a sense of joy at every step along the way and accepting any obstacles or setbacks that come your way. It’s about being mindful throughout the journey and realizing that throughout your life you spend far more time working towards your goals than celebrating when you actually achieve them.

8 ways to trust the process

So how can you trust the process in your own life? Let’s look at 8 ways you can use this mantra to enrich yourself on your personal growth journey.

1. Focus on the value you add.

When you reach your ultimate goal, who benefits? are you just yourself Or do you help others?

Well, if your goal is to become a millionaire, you need to provide some type of service or product that is valuable to other people in order to generate that wealth. This means that you’re adding value throughout the process of working towards your goal, even if it’s only for one person at a time.

You can focus on the value you provide to others throughout the process by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating the small victories. Suppose you want to publish a self-help book within the next year. Achieving this goal may not make you a millionaire, but it could be a stepping stone to reach that ultimate goal, and you will help those who read this book on the side adding value to their lives.

If you feel like you are the main person who finds value in your ultimate goal, make sure you set process goals along the way to celebrate when you achieve them. For example, let’s say you didn’t meet your weight loss goal but went from zero gym sessions to five gym sessions per week. This process added tremendous value to your life even though you didn’t reach your goal.

Celebrate everything you achieve. It may take a little longer to reach your goal, but that’s perfectly fine. You can learn to enjoy the process and the goal will eventually come. You will also learn how to set more achievable goals in the future through your experience of setting and achieving (or not achieving) your goals.

By setting small, achievable goals and celebrating the small victories, you can focus on the value you are creating.

2. Worry only about the things you can control.

Going back to the last example, you have no control over how much money you end up making. You only have control over the actions you take to be successful. You can control the things you want to learn, the people you hire to help you, and the experiences you have. But in the end, the amount of money it all adds up to can vary for a variety of reasons. However, knowing that you have successfully combined these efforts is in itself something that will benefit you throughout your career.

After all, people want to feel understood, to come to concrete conclusions and to be able to stay in control. But if you want to make progress in your personal development, you must be able to rely on all factors that are beyond your control. Don’t create personal attachments to what “could” be. Maintain a positive attitude and look for ways to appreciate both your good and bad experiences that will bring you closer to your ultimate goal.

Until you realize that you cannot control everything in your life, you will not be able to fully let go and live your life and allow amazing things to happen. You have to believe that good things will happen to you whether you force it or not.

Think about the progress you could make if you could stop worrying about who you could be and devote all of your time and energy to controlling things instead of choosing to be off to learn from every experience you have.

3. Belief in the unknown.

Part of trusting the process is believing in the unknown and acquainting yourself with the fact that you don’t necessarily know how things are going to turn out. You are comfortable with being uncomfortable and willing to follow the lead wherever your life takes you. Don’t assume that anything in the unknown is bad or dangerous.

Act confidently when faced with uncertainty. Life offers no guarantees, so you must live your life around the things you know. As you begin to lose faith in the unknown, refocus on your goal and acceptance of obstacles that come your way. Trust that the difficulties you endure will teach you lessons that will bring you closer to your goal. Embrace failure because it is actually proof that you are making an effort to move forward.

4. Apply what you learn to each step of the process.

Say you are studying to get your real estate license and want to become one of the best real estate agents in your area. You attend seminars, meetings, trainings and talk to all kinds of people who have been in business for several years.

Pay attention to strategies that have been effective for people in the past, or mistakes people have made that ultimately set them back. Look for topics in points addressed in your training courses. Build your knowledge on these things and then implement the practices.

Study and listen to strategies that have been effective for people in the past.

Look beyond the surface of the strategies you’re learning by doing additional research yourself or attending the same seminar more than once. You want to master the things you’re learning before moving on to something new. This will help you make improvements in a variety of your processes that will eventually lead to your overall success.

5. Practice gratitude.

Your attitude towards life determines your general feelings and your decisions. Focusing on your regrets often prevents you from ever feeling fulfilled. You will also not be able to notice the good things that are happening around you right now or the positive changes you are making.

Practicing gratitude has been linked to more positive thoughts and emotions, a greater sense of purpose in life, and greater appreciation for every experience you encounter. If you can practice gratitude, you can prevent your inner critic from coming out and just accept and enjoy the present moment.

6. Visualize success.

The power of positive thinking has been studied and found to have a significant impact on people’s outcomes. What and how you think will make a big difference in your life. Visualize your full potential to turn that dream into a reality.

When you think positively about the things you want to achieve and talk optimistically to other people about how you will achieve your goals, not only will you be happier during the process, but you’ll also feel like you have more control over yourself your life.

Finally, positive thinking helps your brain release endorphins, which increases positive feelings and allows you to maintain that positive attitude.

7. Ignore the naysayers.

You will always find cheerleaders on your path to success who believe in you and your goals. These are the people who will be by your side as you celebrate your small victories and your ultimate success.

However, with good comes bad, and you will also encounter negative people who want you to know that you will fail. Maybe some of these people are jealous of you, maybe they’re trying to play devil’s advocate, or maybe they really want you to fail in your endeavors. Whatever their reasons, you must ignore these people.

Not only do you not want this type of negativity to invade your dreams, you also don’t want it to hinder your motivation or prevent you from moving forward in your current dynamic. If you stop following the path to reach your goal, you will eventually regret it. And you most importantly don’t want this to be due to someone else’s opinion.

Think how Amazon started. They were just an online bookstore. What if the people running it listened to those who said it wouldn’t be able to go any further? Think of the tremendous success they would have missed out on. Pursuing your own success despite negative comments from naysayers can also help inspire other people to do the same.

8. Embrace failure.

Up to this point there has not been a mistake in your life that has killed you. There was nothing you couldn’t overcome. Part of trusting the process means being able to trust the growth process. You can’t grow if you don’t have the chance – and there’s no way out if everything in your life is already perfect.

I’d be willing to bet that you didn’t become the person you are today without taking advantage of some of the growth opportunities that came your way. Let’s say you went through a bad breakup and at that point you felt like your life was just over.

Was it?

Or were you able to meet new people after your breakup and end up realizing that the relationship you thought was perfect was far from perfect?

If you can trust the process, you will realize that you are exactly where you should be, whether you have just experienced a failure or not.

Final Thoughts

Reaching your goals shouldn’t be easy. But when you learn to trust the process and can be thankful for the progress you’ve made, you’ll feel a huge sense of reward.

Learn to be happy in the present moment without rushing to reach an end goal. Be prepared to be flexible and go with the flow. Learn to accept uncertainty – but always know that you can grow in your struggles.

Consider these tips on how to integrate the process of trust into your own life and let the experiences of your life shape you. To live a great life, you must be willing to act in the face of fear.

If you want to learn more about the power of mantras, read this post about personal mantra examples. Let yourself be inspired by these examples of life mottos.

Finally, if you want to take your goal setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and step-by-step process to help you set effective SMART goals.

All scripture references are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV).” Articles may contain affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All scripture references are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV).”

I have lost both hands and both feet to a rare, fast moving and deadly if not diagnosed promptly, flesh eating bacteria. It could have been so easy to go south into a negative mindset and convince myself that my world is ending. Becoming a quadruple amputee could have made me throw the biggest pity party known to man.

Everyone struggles with their personal problems. When you add it all up, life can get pretty ugly and complicated and make us run for the mountains. If that’s not the answer, where do we turn to?

As Christians, we should know how to trust God in difficult times. But shouldn’t we put our trust in God under all circumstances? Absolutely, but why is this important? Haven’t we covered the good times ourselves so that we only call on God when we need extra help? No not at all. If we believe this, we have not fully trusted the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

God is the creator of mankind, the universe and all amazing things in it. More importantly, HE LOVES US! He is there for us. He is our Heavenly Father who loves each and every one of us, believe it or not.

Let’s first look at some of the promises of God found in His Word, the Holy Bible, to prove that He is the ONLY choice you have to make when you’re wondering where to turn, when you come to a bump in life. Then I will provide some Bible verses about trusting God in tough times as resources to help you in your times of greatest need.

Where to turn to trust in God in difficult times

It is important to understand how much our Creator loves us. I’ll get on my feet and guess you’re a parent. Can you imagine sacrificing your only child to pay for the sins of everyone on earth? Can you imagine if these people hated you? But your love was so great that you gave up your child anyway?

I would like to say that I have a heart filled with that kind of Christian love. But not me. And I’m willing to assume you don’t either. But God, our holy heavenly Father, has that kind of love. So if He is willing to give His only-begotten Son so that we may have eternal life, it’s safe to say that you should be able to trust the Lord with all your heart, even during hard times. The question is will you?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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This is how we know that God loves us. But is he able to protect us in difficult times? To trust God in difficult times, one must understand that He is ready to help us when we need Him. The next verse in the Psalms shows the ups and downs of how bad things can get, but the Lord can still protect us.

Please understand that although God CAN protect us, that doesn’t mean He will. Remember that He is an all-knowing, all-seeing God and He knows what is best for us. It’s all about His will for our lives. So don’t forget that even in difficult times, these events are still for our good and for the glory of God. Now we may not see the point this side of heaven, but it’s the truth.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we shall not fear even if the earth is removed, and if the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and churn, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Sela.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.7

Trust God in all aspects of life? What does that mean?

When I think of trusting God, my favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, comes to mind as the best definition. Trust and faith are an essential part of any relationship with God. For the biblical definition of faith, see Hebrews 11:1. But let’s look at the dictionary meaning of trust.

Dictionary.com defines trust as confidence in the integrity, strength, ability, safety, etc. of a person or thing; Trust. Sure, you can rely on something or someone. But the definition of Proverbs tells us that we must trust it with all our hearts. That means our full heart, leaving no room for gaps or doubts. I love how this article on Christianity.com digs into the Scriptures for meaning and practical action steps to live out one of my favorite Bible verses about trusting God in difficult times.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and do not lean on your own mind. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will smooth your paths.

The best way

The best way to learn how to trust the Lord in difficult times is to keep God’s promises. God’s Word is full of promises that teach us to believe in God in difficult times. He tells us not to worry, to pray, and he will give us peace like you can’t imagine. He tells us he’s with us, in the trenches. And even after the struggle, He will strengthen and soothe us. When you study the Word of God, start with a great study Bible (this list includes some of the most popular study Bibles for women). Then check out these promises.

Philippians 4:6-7 Beware of nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; Fear not and fear not; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his everlasting glory through Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make ye perfect, establish, strengthen, establish ye.

But how?

Now let’s talk more about trusting God in difficult times. However, I want to be clear. You must trust God under all circumstances. That means trusting him in both good times and bad.

Unfortunately, most of the time, life as a Christian goes pretty well as long as everything is going well. When you meet this bump in the road, your faith will be tested and you will learn what it means to trust in God in difficult times.

This is also the time when the world is watching you most closely. My greatest test came when I had a quadruple amputation after a life threatening illness where I spent 3 months in the hospital including 3 weeks in a medically induced coma. During tough times, it’s easy to fall into depression, tune out friends and family, and subsist on Magnum© double caramel ice cream bars. You might think that enduring such a major life event would cause me to curl up in a ball, stop living my life to the fullest, and convince myself that I no longer have any purpose.

Instead, I gave all the glory to God and His wonderful grace for saving my life, healing my body, and guiding me through my recovery. I refused to let the enemy steal my joy in the Lord. My prayer is that you will not let him steal your joy either.

The whole message of One Exceptional Life is it’s not about the challenge. It’s about getting up and moving on after you fall. God’s grace was sufficient for the apostle Paul, and it is sufficient for you. God makes us survivors and we must keep that warrior mentality. Keep a smile on your face and keep pushing through like you never fell.

Pray

Prayer will get you through the toughest of times. I remember waking up in the hospital knowing my limbs had been amputated and all that was left were bandages where my hands and feet had been. The first thing I did was pray, “Lord, I don’t know what my future will be, but I trust you. I’m so scared right now, but I know you will be with me and my family through all of this.”

Trusting God in difficult times requires prayer and, of course, faith that He will do as He says. God will keep his promises. He’s just waiting for you to trust him. Why do we try to hold on to our problems? It seems like a tug of war between us and God. God has. But if you don’t let go, how can He help you? I have a sign in my living room that says, “Faith doesn’t make things easy, it makes them possible.” And it relates to the following scripture. truth my friend. so pray He will not answer your prayer unless you ask.

Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.

Grow your faith

How can you believe in God in difficult times? Growing your faith is a daily project that can be pretty easy if you let it. In fact, here’s a pretty cool checklist of daily activities that can help you. Print it out, stick it on your fridge, and make sure you work towards making each of these activities a daily habit.

Obviously, the first step in increasing your faith is to develop a relationship with Jesus and entrust Him with your eternal security. For a detailed look at the daily activities included in this checklist, see How to Draw Closer to God Spiritually.

Remember its blessings

If you haven’t already incorporated the gratitude journal into your daily activities, now is a good time to start. Making a daily list of things you’re grateful for gives you a place to turn to when you’re feeling down. Many of the blessings in your journal are answered prayers. Get your free printable gratitude journal here. It’s a great way to focus on what’s good in your life and a great place to go if you need reminders of answered prayers.

My personal blessings are too numerous to mention here. But let me give you a few examples. God answered the prayers of my family and friends when the doctors said I had less than a 1% chance of survival. For those who do the math, that’s basically zero chance of survival, zilch, nada. But god…

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

God answered the prayer (mentioned earlier) from my hospital bed. Not only has He healed me, but I am living an extraordinary life of joy. As a result of my experience, I created this website to share my blessings, hoping to encourage you in your struggle.

Now, when I’m feeling overwhelmed and struggling to believe in God during hard times, I look back on those answered prayers and so many others in my gratitude journal. I find confidence that he will absolutely get me through the next bump in my life, and the next, and the next.

Where is God?

God wants to be first in our lives. It’s the first commandment in the Bible.

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Notice the small G in this scripture. It doesn’t have to be a god in the sense of Zeus or Buddha. A (small G) god is whatever you present to the lord. It could be your family, your job, or your favorite pastime. Putting God first in our lives creates the kind of relationship with Him where we have no doubts about trusting God in difficult times. Try it, you will see.

Lysa Terkeurst, one of my favorite authors, wrote a great reminder of what it looks like to trust God in difficult times and walk in obedience in this beautiful devotional about David’s reactions to one of his darkest times.

Are you a woman who wants to rediscover God’s joy and peace in the midst of life’s trials? Join our Facebook group – Women Living Exceptionally, with Joy and Jesus, a space to cultivate more faith, joy, peace, resilience and community.

Walk this way

Walking in obedience means repenting of the sin in your life. Remember, God cannot look at sin. It separates humanity from our Creator. For this reason, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross. When Jesus had himself nailed to that tree on Calvary, his shed blood on that cross covered the sins of all mankind.

When you have unrepentant sins in your life, you put a barrier between you and your Heavenly Father. That is why it is important to repent often. Most of us ask for forgiveness when we pray, maybe once or twice a day. But you should ask for forgiveness as many times as you catch yourself sinning. That keeps you close and obedient.

Let go

You can’t say you trust the Lord but then hold on to your fight with both hands. Here’s a tip I used to give my kids when they were little when they were scared of something or had a problem. I told them to imagine putting their problem in a box and tying it with a big red bow. Then imagine giving that gift to Jesus. When you give your problem to Jesus, it’s important to let it go and let Him take over.

I did this recently because I was struggling with forgiveness. I found it difficult to forgive anyone and it was a burden for a long time. I put this burden in a box. Holy smokers, what a struggle to let it go. It reminded me of the tug of war mentioned earlier. But I gave that burden to the Lord in its entirety. Immediately, forgiveness seemed to fully restore our relationship.

Trusting God in difficult times is easy when you have peace in your life. Get your free 5-step PDF to unlock Peace Amidst Chaos below.⤵️

wait for it

Sometimes we have struggles in our lives that seem to go on forever. However, it is unrealistic for us to believe that God will snap his fingers and it will all be over because of our asking. I have already mentioned that it is about what is best for our well-being and brings the most glory to God. In other words, God’s will be done.

Most of the time, God’s timing doesn’t match what we want in our lives. We grow most spiritually during our struggles. Trusting God in difficult times must become a way of life. Hard times come and go. Staying focused and maintaining our faith in the Lord will lead to greater blessings and rewards in heaven.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord will have renewed strength; they will mount with wings like eagles; they should run and not get tired; and they will go and not faint.

What God Says…

God never promised us that life would be easy. Instead He said we will have trials. But there is a point in our struggles. That point is to become a stronger Christian spiritually. We are to become complete and have a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior. So when you think about the difficult times in your life, it’s best to change your mindset to see your obstacles as blessings. Because they are.

John 16:33 I have spoken this to you, that you may have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have conquered the world.

James 1:3-4 Knowing this, the testing of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and perfect and need nothing.

Trusting God in Troubled Times Bible Verses

Here are some of my favorite Bible verses about trusting God in difficult times. I’m sure you have some yourself. But these scriptures can give you a good start.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him; because he cares about you.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord, is.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not; for I am with you: do not be dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; Yes, I help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And it is the Lord that goes before you; he will be with you, he will not let you down and will not leave you. Don’t be afraid, don’t be alarmed.

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them from all their affliction.

John 14:27 Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your hearts tremble and don’t be afraid.

Trusting God in Difficult Times Quotes

If you’re a fan of quotes like me, you’ll love these quotes on how to keep your faith in difficult times. Whether these quotes are biblical or secular, the message is clear.

“If you lose faith, you lose everything.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Faith is invisible but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost.” – Katharina Pulsifer

“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It’s an expression of humility. It is a basis for the development of virtues such as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love and well-being.” – James E. Faust

“Faith doesn’t always get you out of the problem, faith gets you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain, faith gives you the ability to deal with the pain. Faith doesn’t always get you out of the storm, faith calms you down in the middle of a storm.” – Author unknown

Your next step…

Do you have obstacles in your life that you can’t seem to overcome? Introducing… BELIEF OVER FEAR: Finding peace in life’s storms

This great printable pack contains all the resources you need to choose Faith Over Fear. It provides biblical resources for topical studies on faith, fear, and peace in life’s storms, and a lesson in prayer using the ACTS prayer method. There’s a whole section on gratitude and kindness. You will also find some inspirational artworks.

Also included:

Resources and printables to expand your faith and prayer life

Tips and tools to increase your gratitude

Learn how to show kindness to others

The most important part of trusting God in difficult times is placing your challenge in the capable hands of our Heavenly Father. There is no need to see life as ugly, complicated and enough to make us run for the mountains because God is all you will ever need to overcome any obstacle in your life.

Before you go, grab my FREE video: How to Experience Joy & Peace, Even Through Hard Times

It’s your turn

What are your best ideas for believing in God during difficult times? Do you have favorite bible verses that trust God in difficult times? Please leave your ideas and favorites in the comments below.

https://deepspirituality.com/wp-content/uploads/speaker/post-10002197.mp3?cb=1645234404.mp3 Playback speed: 0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x

For this reason, brethren, in spite of all our stresses and crushing difficulties, we are filled with comfort and rejoicing in you [for] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality upon God with complete trust and confidence). 1 Thessalonians 3:7 AMPC

Faith in God brings comfort and joy even in the midst of stress and crushing difficulties. Faith helps us trust God in difficult times.

In order to see difficulties the way God does, we need Bible verses for hard times to hold on to. We asked some of our staff at Deep Spirituality about their favorite biblical characters who have trusted God in the midst of difficulties and found 7 Bible examples of trusting God in difficult times to inspire you.

Deborah: Trusting God through the demands of life

Difficulties come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes difficulties are not drastic tragedy but the busy chaos of life management.

With all that we strive to accomplish weekly and daily, we can end up feeling exhausted, disappointed, and never feeling like we’ve finished anything. My to-do list feels like it goes on forever.

Deborah was one of those incredibly talented people who seemed to be able to do anything. She was a leader, a judge, a prophetess, a wife and a mother. And at the same time she boldly led her people into battle. While phenomenally inspirational, her life can make me feel like I don’t relate to it. How did she do all this?

Every day we work demanding jobs and do what we can to provide for our families. We may not have the title that Deborah had, but life demands a lot of us every day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, children and health.

Deborah’s family (the people of Israel) had their dysfunctions, as did many of us. Hers was just bigger. We can see them as an example of how to deal with the chaos of our daily lives.

Then Deborah said to Barak: “Go! This is the day when the LORD delivered Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, followed by ten thousand men. (15) When Barak advanced, the Lord smote Sisera and all his chariots and all his army by the sword, and Sisera dismounted from his chariot and fled on foot. Judges 4:14-15 NIV

Deborah believed and trusted God in a way that can be difficult for us. God was real and present in their lives. She believed that victory was already hers through God.

If I were so strongly convinced that God’s hand was in my every effort of the day, I would be much happier with each day’s accomplishments. I wouldn’t be so overwhelmed by the busy schedule of my life, but would believe I can handle it because God is on my side.

There were no warriors in Israel until I, Deborah, stood up, until I stood up to be a mother to Israel. Judges 5:7 NCV

Deborah referred to herself as the “mother” to Israel. We can learn from this: Deborah cared for the people she led as a mother cares for her children. She was motivated to serve no matter what the need because she cared about the people. Not about titles or achievements, but about caring for others.

When I’m overwhelmed or exhausted, I want to stop and think of others who matter to me – my friends, my family, my neighborhood, help me keep going.

Deborah was a great example of this. She had become her mother and this relationship helped her move on.

reflection questions

What areas of your life overwhelm you the most?

What could you do to make God more a part of your daily life?

Who could you reach out to and help this week?

Zechariah & Elisabeth: Trusting God when a longing remains unfulfilled

An unfulfilled longing can be discouraging. Imagine being married a long time, unable to have children, and living in a culture that measures God’s love for you by the number of children you have. This is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple described as “very old” and “childless.”

You are an example of people who have understood unfulfilled yearning – the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why.

Have you been denied something you’ve longed for? Maybe it’s an ongoing health condition that won’t go away, a child who rejects your influence, a character flaw you can’t overcome, or a sin that plagues you and your relationships. Understand Zechariah and Elizabeth. They also know how to remain faithful while waiting on God.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly department of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. [6] They were both righteous before God and kept all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth could not conceive, and they were both very old. [13] But the angel said to him: “Fear not, Zechariah; your prayer has been answered. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. (14) He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (16) He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just – to prepare a people ready for the Lord. ” Luke 1:5-7,13-14,16-17 NIV

What inspires me about Zechariah and Elizabeth is their ability to trust God in the midst of an unfulfilled desire. We know they trusted God because they continued to serve God and God called them righteous.

The angel appeared to Zechariah with good news while Zechariah was ministering, God has a priest. He could have given up on God altogether, but chose to continue serving God despite his unfulfilled longing.

How do you deal with adversity? If you’re like me and endure adversity for a long time, it can be easy to lose faith and quickly turn into self-pity and disbelief. This leads us to stop praying and expect God to move. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God and what it means to live by faith.

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God and what it means to live by faith.

God showed his faithfulness to Zechariah and Elizabeth by working to bless their lives even after they had waited a long time.

Second, Zechariah and Elizabeth lived by faith, believing that God loved them and wanted to bless them. They desired to remain righteous while waiting for their longings to be fulfilled.

When we face times of waiting, we can have hope by remembering God’s faithfulness and choosing to walk by faith ourselves.

reflection questions

What are you longing for?

Are you honest with yourself, with others, and with God about your desires?

Have you stopped believing that God hears you and wants to bless you?

Isaiah: Trusting God Through Bad News

Isaiah was chosen by God to deliver an important message to the Israelites. God was preparing His people for an incredible future of redemption and hope.

But before all of that could happen, God gave Isaiah an intense vision that overwhelmed him. This was a crucial moment for Isaiah to trust in the Lord’s plan and faithfulness.

My stomach sinks. My guts are shaking with pain. As a woman in labor writhing and writhing, I can hardly take the news. I can’t hear because I’m bent over in pain. I can’t see it because I’m deep in the fog of depression. Isaiah 21:3 voice

One of my biggest fears is the fear of bad news. Bad news is usually followed by worst-case-scenario thinking for me, and I suddenly feel anxious and helpless.

During these times, prayer can be particularly difficult. My flesh finds relief when it makes a plan or finds a solution, but one thing I’ve learned about going through difficulties is that it’s an opportunity to transform my prayer life.

Despite the bad news, Isaiah’s faith remained strong because he was honest about his doubts and frustrations and had a firm belief in God’s purpose.

I often harden my pain by minimizing and hiding it. I get upset and even offended when friends try to help me. My resistance to vulnerability makes me unsympathetic and wrong. Isaiah is inspirational because he doesn’t hold back with God, he expresses his deep pain and how hard it is to hear and see him in the midst of it all. His connection to God deepens in trouble.

[3] He said to me: You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory. [4] I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and without purpose. But I leave everything in the hands of the LORD; I will trust God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:3-4 NLT

I think part of the reason Isaiah’s faith stayed strong despite bad news was that he was honest about his doubts and frustrations and he had a firm belief in God’s purpose. Believing that God chose me to help others know Him challenges and inspires me. Our vulnerable prayers unlock a deeper level of intimacy with God.

reflection questions

Are you honest with God about the depth of your pain? Hopelessness, confusion, anger, depression?

Have you found yourself slipping into the dark shadows? Isolation, negative thinking, disbelief, loss of passion for God.

How does bad news affect your relationship with God? Do you cry more or avoid him?

Woman healed by Jesus: Trusting God means taking risks despite pain

In Mark 5 we find a scene that is prevalent in the Gospels: A large crowd has gathered around Jesus. People from all over the region rushed to him and crowded around him. In the crowd was a woman who had suffered from chronic bleeding for 12 years.

She had seen many doctors and spent everything she had on treatments. But instead of improving, her condition worsened. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered unclean by the laws and traditions of the time. She was sick, broke and an outcast.

But because of her trusting faith in Jesus, she was able to ignore the pain for a moment and finally take the risk that changed everything.

[27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] thinking, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was free from her suffering. [30] Jesus knew immediately that power had gone out from him. He turned in the crowd and asked: “Who touched my clothes?” [31] “You see the people crowding around you,” answered his disciples, “yet you can ask: ‘Who touched me? ?’” [32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then came the woman, who knew what had happened to her, fell at his feet and, trembling, told him the whole truth. [34] He said to her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering.” Mark 5:27-34 NIV

Trying something new may be the last thing on your mind, especially when you have a chronic health challenge or are in the midst of longstanding problems. My husband and I have been trying to start a family for several years. It’s been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us frustrated and forgotten.

Although the woman was unnamed in this passage, her faith story is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up.

Although the woman was unnamed in this passage, her faith story is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. She took a bold risk to believe in Jesus and his power. Stepping out of the shadows, she made her way through the crowd and told the whole truth to draw closer to Jesus.

When it feels like things will never change, I realize there is more to discover in my relationship with God. I’m stuck and wanting my own way that I’m missing out on what God is doing and the doors He’s opening. Lately I’ve seen God create opportunities to build closeness in my marriage, make new friends, and comfort those around me. Seeing God move through my struggles has helped my faith grow.

reflection questions

Does your health (physical or mental/emotional) affect your beliefs? How do you react when things don’t go well?

How has your faith been affected by a long-standing difficult situation? Be honest with yourself, with God, and with your friends.

What can you do with faith that might feel risky?

Moses: Trusting God when there is no way out

Difficult times can bring us to a point where we feel like our backs are against the wall and there are very few options left to find a way out or a solution to overcome. We ask ourselves, “How did I get here?” I felt this when I was hospitalized for a back injury. “I can’t move, I’m in constant pain. How did I get here?”

I discovered I needed to change my thinking and saw this setback as a preparation for God to move. Moses experienced the same feeling when, after leading Israel out of Egypt, they were stuck between the Red Sea and an enraged Egyptian army. Robert Morgan’s book The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out does a fantastic job of breaking down this moment between God, Moses and the Israelites.

For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: “They wander aimlessly about the land; the wilderness has shut them up.’ [4] I will harden (harden, make defiant) the heart of Pharaoh that he may pursue them; and I shall be glorified and honored by Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know and acknowledge [without a doubt] that I am the LORD.” And they did. [9] The Egyptians pursued them with all of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them as they were encamped by the sea at Pi-Hachiroth before Baal-zephon. [13] Then Moses said to the people: “Do not be afraid! Stand firm [be firm and confident and undaunted] and see the salvation of the Lord that He will work for you today; for the Egyptians you saw today you will never see again. [14] The Lord will fight for you while you remain silent and keep still.” [15] The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward [to the sea]. (16) Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it so that the children of Israel may go on dry land through the middle of the sea. [17] As for me, hear this: I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow them in the sea; and I will be glorified and honored by Pharaoh and all his army and his chariots and horsemen. [18] And the Egyptians shall [undoubtedly] know and acknowledge that I am the LORD, when I am glorified and honored by Pharaoh, by his chariots, and by his charioteers.” Exodus 14:3-4,9,13- 18 AMPS

God led the Israelites to the exact place he wanted them to be, right on the edge of the Red Sea. With the water at their backs and Pharaoh and the Egyptians charging down on them, it was only God who could make a way for it.

This experience can occur from time to time in our lives. We feel like we’re in an impossible situation just for God to show us how powerful he is.

God is a lateral thinker.

God is a lateral thinker. Everyone felt pushed against a wall with no way out, but that was because no one predicted it would part the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through on solid ground.

We will all face difficult times. Though it’s easy to be afraid of having nowhere to turn, these are the moments when we can see God at his best working.

reflection questions

Do you think your difficult situation can be a chance for God to come through?

What kind of prayer do you need to change the way you think about troubles and see that God has your right where He wants you?

Imagine that you were one of the Israelites who went through the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh’s army destroyed. What would that have done to your belief in God. How would that change your view of God?

David: Trusting God when life isn’t what you thought it would be

“That’s not what I had in mind”

Have you ever said that about your life? We all have an image of how we want to shape our lives. Everyone experiences phases in life that don’t look the way they imagined.

David was anointed king of Israel, hailed as a hero for defeating Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the king’s daughter – he had it all.

Watch: 3 Examples of Trusting God in Troubled Times

Then suddenly, because of a jealous king, David spent the next ten or more years running from Saul, being held in a cave with a ragtag band of misfits. It is safe to say that David did not envision his journey to becoming king of Israel.

In difficult times we may be tempted to believe that God has left us or lost vision for us. When our oldest child decided to leave God, we were devastated and discouraged.

This is not how we imagined our life to be at all. The temptation to believe that our dreams were shattered, our hopes destroyed, and that God no longer had a plan for our lives was strong.

There is no greater joy than to see God’s destiny rise above our circumstances.

But with the encouragement of friends and prayer, we had to choose whether our faith should be in our circumstances or in God.

Placing our faith in God meant that we would not give up but would continue to learn and grow and change what we needed to change. It took ten years, but our eldest finally returned to God.

As the story of David and our experience with our elder show, God’s destiny for our lives does not change because of our circumstances. David’s destiny was fulfilled and he became king of Israel.

In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. There is no greater joy than to see God’s destiny rise above our circumstances.

[1] So David left Gath and fled to the cave of Adullam. He was soon joined by his brothers and all his other relatives. [2] Then others began to come—men in trouble, or in debt, or just dissatisfied—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2 NLT

We can all find inspiration in David’s journey to fulfill his destiny. His path was not always smooth. There were many moments in David’s life that were not what he had imagined. But we can learn from David that our fate was not determined by difficult moments. Our destiny is determined by God.

Our circumstances do not change our destiny (Ephesians 1:11). Sometimes in difficult times we just have to think of God. David embraced difficult times because he believed his future was in the hands of a God who loved him. We too must believe that our future is in the hands of a God who loves us.

reflection questions

What in your life is not what you imagined?

How has this affected your belief in God’s love and faithfulness?

Are you still praying about where God should lead you?

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: Trust in God, no matter the outcome

[12] But there are some Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to whom you entrusted the province of Babylon. You don’t pay attention, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the golden statue that you set up.” [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar got angry and ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be brought before him. When they were brought in, [14] Nebuchadnezzar said to them: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the golden image that I have set up? [15] I will give you one more opportunity to bow down and worship the statue I made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But whoever refuses is immediately thrown into the blazing furnace. And which god will then be able to free you from my power?” [GGJ.01_016,16] Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego replied: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to defend ourselves before you. [17] When we are thrown into the flaming furnace, the God we serve can save us. He will release us from your power, Your Majesty. Daniel 3:12-17 NLT

At this time in history, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was influenced by those around him to set up an image of gold and require everyone in the land to bow down and worship it.

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego respectfully declined. As the whole kingdom went along, they stood firm, believing that whatever the outcome, God would take care of them.

[18] But even if he does not, let us make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the golden statue you set up.” [19] Nebuchadnezzar was so angry with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was contorted with anger. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. [20] Then he ordered some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. [21] So they tied her up and threw her into the furnace, fully clothed in her trousers, turbans, robes and other garments. [22] And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men into it. [24] But suddenly Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in astonishment and called out to his advisor: “Have we not tied up three men and thrown them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly have,” they replied. [25] “Look!” shouted Nebuchadnezzar. “I see four men, unbound, walking unharmed in the fire! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3:18-22,24-25 NLT

Even in their position, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego felt no need to defend their decision to disobey the king’s edict. They remained calm and confident in the face of the king’s life-threatening anger towards them. They believed that God would save them because they trusted God to take care of them.

Her faith enabled satisfaction with every outcome. They trusted God completely.

But the most amazing thing is her focus on God, even if He didn’t save her from the flames. Her faith enabled satisfaction with every outcome. They trusted God completely.

They were not motivated by their own success or glory in refusing to bow, but rather by the fact that God would be glorified by the outcome of their sacrifice or triumph.

reflection questions

Is your faith based on the outcome of your difficult situation?

How can you trust that it is God who still loves and guides you, no matter what happens?

What is your motive for wanting your desired outcome?

Naomi and Ruth: Trusting God When You Feel Alone

When we’re going through tough times, it can be easy to feel alone. We may feel that no one understands or cares what we are going through. If left unexamined, this doubt that God or people are prosperous can lead us to repress the very relationships designed to help us get through our difficult times.

When I’m having a hard time, my first instinct is to isolate, doubt, and question God’s care for me. I turn off my emotions so I don’t have to feel or rely on anyone. Instead of letting God and people give me the comfort and validation I need, I push them away by refusing to be honest, hardening my heart, and acting cold in relationships.

Naomi was in a similar position. After losing both her husband and sons, she felt utterly empty and utterly alone. Despite her two daughters-in-law trying to stay with her, Naomi was unconsoled and pushed relationships away.

So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they got to Bethlehem, the whole town was excited about them, and the women called out, “Is that Naomi?”[20] “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. [21] I went away full, but the LORD brought me back empty. Why are you calling me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought calamity upon me.” [22] So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, and arrived in Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning. Ruth 1:19-22 NIV

Understandably, Naomi questioned God’s love for her and did not see how anyone could understand her or help her through her pain. But because she didn’t take that doubt and that pain to pour out her heart to God, she became bitter about the pain in her life and couldn’t see that she wasn’t alone – she had Ruth.

[GGJ.01_014,14] Then they cried loudly again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. [GGJ.02_016,15] “See”, said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” [16] But Ruth answered: “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn away from you. Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. [17] Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, however hard it be, when even death do you and I part.” [18] When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:14-18 NIV

Although Naomi tried to push away her two daughters-in-law, Ruth refused to be left out. No matter how many tactics Naomi used to keep her at bay, Ruth stood her ground. She loved and believed in her, so nothing Naomi could have done could have pushed her off her. Even when Naomi was bitter and mean, Ruth stayed by her side.

This is the kind of friend God is to us (VOICE from Psalm 103:8), and the kind of friend we should be to one another. When you’re going through a hard time, do you rely on God and friends, or do you push them away? When you see a friend going through a tough time, do you allow them to push you away, or do you choose to stay with them and love them no matter what?

The cool thing is that Ruth and Naomi’s relationship wasn’t one-sided. Ruth held on to Naomi when she felt bitter and alone, but then Naomi decided to help Ruth too:

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her: “My daughter, I must find you a home where you will be well cared for.” Ruth 3:1 NIV

If you go back and read the rest of the Book of Ruth, you will see a very inspiring ending to the story of Ruth and Naomi. God moved through their faithful friendship to help them find healing, hope, and an incredible future.

When we feel alone, seeing the meaning we have in other people’s lives often helps us not to fall into bitterness. It doesn’t take away the pain or difficulties of what we’re going through, but it can help us see and be light amidst the darkness.

reflection questions

Do you see any ways you are crowding out relationships in your life?

How is God trying to be your friend? Who did he put into your life to comfort you and stay with you?

Whose life do you want to influence in the midst of difficulties?

Jacob: Trusting God when you screwed up

If you ever want to feel better about your own weaknesses and flaws, read Jacob’s story. He is a perfect example of someone in the Bible who kept making mistakes, causing conflict, and acting selfishly. But despite his many flaws, God still chose him for something special.

When he was young, Jacob had a complicated relationship at best with his brother Esau. He stole Esau’s birthright (Genesis 25:27-32 NLT) and deceived her father into giving him the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:14-27,30-38,41 NLT). After years away from home, Jacob finally returned in Genesis 32. When he heard that his brother Esau was coming to meet him, he was afraid. Although Jacob had grown and matured in many ways over the years, he was now forced to face the consequences of his sins.

Then Jacob prayed: “O God of my grandfather Abraham and God of my father Isaac – O Lord, you said to me: ‘Return to your country and to your relatives.’ And you promised me: ‘I will treat you kindly’.” [10] I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and loyalty you have shown me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I had nothing but a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! [11] Lord, please deliver me out of the hand of my brother Esau. I am afraid that he will attack me along with my wives and children. [12] But you promised me, ‘I will certainly treat you kindly, and I will multiply your offspring until they are as numerous as the sand by the sea—too many to number.’” Genesis 32:9-12 NLT

All his life, Jacob was used to solving his problems by running away from them. But now he had to make a choice. Would he keep walking or would he trust that God would get through for him despite his many failings? He decided to turn to God, but it wasn’t an easy decision. It took battle and literal wrestling with God to submit to and trust Him:

Jacob got up in the night and took his two wives, his two maids and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. [23] After taking them to the other side, he sent all his belongings across. [24] So Jacob remained in the camp all alone, and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn. [25] Seeing that he was not going to win the match, the man touched Jacob’s hip and yanked it out of its socket. [26] Then the man said: “Let me go, for it is dawning!” But Jacob said: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” [27] “What is your name?” asked the man. He replied, “Jakob.” [28] “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man said to him. “From now on your name will be Israel because you fought with God and with men and conquered.” [29] “Please tell me your name,” said Jacob. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. [30] Jacob named the place Peniel (meaning “face of God”) for he said, “I have seen God face to face, but my life has been spared.” Genesis 32:22-30 NLT

reflection questions

How do you react when confronted with the consequences of your mistakes?

Do you run, defend yourself, switch off or take your feelings to God?

God doesn’t want us to be held back by our past and He wants to help us move forward. He is willing to help us overcome our pain and defenses to transform us into someone new.

If you continue reading his story, Jacob eventually reconciles with his brother after wrestling with God. Our relationships can completely change for the better when we are willing to trust God with our mistakes and sins.

Esther: Trusting that God will act even when you are afraid

Have you ever been in a position where you had the opportunity or responsibility to act but were too scared? Maybe it expressed how you feel, speak for a friend or even a friend. In these moments, our fear of failure, rejection, and humiliation is very real, as is the dilemma of either facing that fear, or freezing, or running away.

Someone in the Bible who understands this dilemma is Esther. I’m sure Esther felt a little out of her element as the new young queen. At a time when her people were in exile, Esther had every reason to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and just try to make ends meet. She wasn’t a big leader who wanted to make big changes in the world. She was just a young girl trying to survive.

But then she faced a dilemma. Haman, Xerxes’ right hand man, targeted the Jews and convinced the king to issue a sentence to kill them on a specific date (Esther 3:12-13).

Esther’s cousin and adoptive father, Mordecai, urged her to stand up for her people. This was her answer:

How am I supposed to see the king? It is known throughout the country, from the king’s greatest officials to the common folk living in the provinces, that any person who approaches the king in the inner chamber without being invited is sentenced to death. That’s the law! There is only one exception and that is when the king holds out the golden scepter to that person and spares his or her life. It’s been 30 days since the king last called me! Esther 4:11 voice

When given the opportunity to stand up and take the lead, Esther said, “No way!”

How do you react when you get the chance to move up? Do you freeze, run away, blame others? You may come up with many reasons or excuses why you shouldn’t be the one to trade. The apology Esther gave was valid – she could die! But Mordecai wanted to help her see that the impact she was capable of was greater than the risk.

“If you remain silent during this time, liberation for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and your father’s whole family will die. And who knows? Perhaps you have been made queen for a time like this.” Esther 4:14 Voice

Mordecai believed in Esther even though she didn’t believe in herself. He helped her see the purpose and vision that God had for her and challenged her to take that leap of faith. This motivated them to take action.

“Do this in preparation for my audience with the king: gather all the Jews in Susa and fast and pray for me. intercede for me Abstain from all food and drink for three days and nights. My maids and I will accompany you during this time. And after the three days, I will go to the king and plead the case of my people, even if it means breaking the law. And when I die, I die!” Esther 4:16 voice

Esther didn’t stop being scared. Instead, she chose to act despite her fear and gathered her friends and family to pray for her as she spoke to the king. As you continue reading her story, you will find that Esther is actually speaking to the king and saving her people. Although she was still afraid, she prevailed anyway because her faith in the purpose for which God had chosen her was greater than her fear.

reflection questions

What fears keep you from taking action?

What vision has God placed in your heart?

How can you be brave like Esther?

A Christian should focus on God and not on the world. But how can we focus on God when there are so many distractions throughout the day? Learn how to focus on God (not the world) with these 5 helpful tips.

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How to focus on God (and not the world).

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Share your blessings

5 ways to focus on God (and not the world)

Consistent Bible study Constant prayer Read books that build your faith Preach the truth to yourself Share your blessings

As a Christian, I know that God is the most important part of my life. There is no competition. However, when everything else in the world is vying for my attention, it can be incredibly difficult to focus on God. But sometimes even good things that I enjoy can take my focus away from God if I’m not careful. Typical daily routine for example: When I wake up in the morning I mostly only think about one thing: coffee. I shuffle to my kettle to turn it on; While I’m waiting for the water to boil, I set up my pour-over jug. I’m making a very important decision here – which cup do I want today? I grab the mug my brother gave me with the poop emoji on it because I’m feeling a little silly today. 😂 I pour my coffee, add my fru-fru milk jug, then head into the living room to turn on my laptop and get ready for my workday. I check social media, sip my coffee, and sometimes turn on the TV to hear background noise. This is my typical morning routine. I really enjoy my morning routine. If I’m honest, there’s something really beautiful about mindless activities that don’t require much of me in the morning. But special treasures, my morning activities are often without a focus on God. I jump right into a self-focused morning that lacks focus and direction more often than I care to admit. Unfortunately, that can often lead to the rest of the day calling the shots. My life as a believer should be centered on the Lord. This focus should start in the morning and continue throughout the day. And while I don’t necessarily think that there is a specific time of day that every believer should conduct their Bible study and pray, it is still important that we focus on the above at the start of the day and continue with the trend for the whole . There’s nothing wrong with making my coffee when I wake up. There’s nothing wrong with booting up my laptop or turning on the TV. But if my morning, afternoon, and evening are not aligned with God, then something has gone very wrong. Everything I do should be done for the Lord, which means my focus must be consistently and constantly on God and not the world. But how can we do that? How can we focus on God when there is so much to do in a day? Read on to find my 5 tips on how to focus on the Lord instead of the world. Studying the Bible to focus on God may seem like a no-brainer, but how often do we struggle to focus on God without ever actually learning our Bibles and reading. I know I’m guilty and I suspect many other people are guilty too. If we are to turn our minds from the things of the world and instead set our hearts and minds on the Lord, then it is imperative that we seek after God in His Word. This can sometimes be a challenge when we tend to be lazy or when we don’t always understand how to read the Bible and understand its meaning. Regardless of the concerns we may bring to our Bible reading, we must all be consistent in studying God’s Word. How else are we to know the truths of God, the parts of His character, and the direction He gives to our lives unless we pick up the Bible and read it? God’s word is our guide and we must know it well if we are to follow God closely and focus on Him. After all, how can we focus on someone we don’t really know well? If you have trouble understanding God’s Word that has kept you from studying the Bible, please don’t let that keep you from doing it any longer. I have a post with 5 tools to help you understand the Bible that I think can help you in this area! Prayer is an important part of concentrating on God because it draws us into a conversation with God. Whether we pray to thank God, ask forgiveness for a specific sin, worship God as He is, or bring our requests to Him, we focus on God when we pray. We come to Him because we know He is in control and we recognize that He is Lord of all. We submit our requests because we know that God is powerful. We repent because we know that when we confess our sins, God holds and releases forgiveness (1 John 1:9). We thank God for His forgiveness because we trust Him. And we praise him because we know he is worthy. Prayer focuses on these truths and believes them. Prayer is remembering who God is and focusing on Him, trusting in His abilities and goodness. Not sure where to start in your prayer life? I think the Lord’s Prayer is a great start. While books should never replace the Bible, reading solid Christian books can be a great way to focus on God throughout the day. That’s because we choose to fill our hearts and minds with things designed to help us grow in God rather than focus on more frivolous things like an extra episode of NCIS or Psych. Because that’s how enjoyable it is Whatever it is, watching our favorite shows doesn’t help us grow in faith. Again, this doesn’t mean we can never watch TV, but what it does mean is that we should prioritize and make time for the things that help us grow in Christ and focus on God. Look for solid Christian devotionals, biographies, and books about Christ’s development that will help you deepen your walk with the Lord and keep your focus on Him. If you’re looking for books to help you focus on God, look for books with substance, not fluff, and look for authors who are trying to bring you closer to God — not just to bring you to a more moral level to make person. And look for solid theology. And if you’re looking for a great daily devotional to start your day with, I’ve posted a short 31-day devotional about walking in the wisdom of the Lord. Refined by Wisdom will help you focus on God and help you walk in His wisdom in your daily life. Preaching ourselves is so important to us as followers of Jesus. When we preach to ourselves, we remind our hearts and minds of the truth found in God’s Word. We remember the gospel, who we are in Christ, and all the commandments and instructions that God has spoken to us. Preaching ourselves means rejecting lies and instead sticking to what God says. This means that we must actually know what God’s Word says in order to accurately preach the truth to our hearts! Preaching ourselves is not always easy, but it is crucial to the Christian journey. To learn more about preaching to yourself, read my post 3 Reasons We Should Preach the Gospel to Ourselves. Gratitude journals have become very popular among Christians and non-Christians alike. It seems that many people from different faiths are now realizing the good that comes from giving thanks. But as believers we do know the Creator and have a living and active God to thank. We know that He has blessed us with salvation and all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), and we often see many other blessings He has showered upon us as well. When we take the time to share our blessings—that is, to remember all that God has done for us—we choose to focus on God rather than on our problems, our worries, or ourselves. When we share our blessings and praise God for them, it becomes harder to focus on the world or live for ourselves.

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Our family has had no shortage of hard times and struggles over the past few years.

We’ve had the ups and downs of family life, health issues for almost everyone in our family, and the hardship that comes with watching my father battle his progressive form of Parkinson’s disease.

If we were going it alone, any of those things would have been enough to break us, but through it all we had a strong trust that God is working in our lives, that we can trust him and that his power is sufficient.

Today I want to share some verses that I have found helpful over the past few years that have strengthened my resolve and given me hope. I hope they can give you some encouragement too.

Bible verses about overcoming fear

One of the hardest things to do as a Christian is to trust God to work and not be afraid of whatever comes your way. Here are some verses that talk about having faith in God and trusting in His timing.

Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts swirling around a center of fear. – Corrie TenBoom

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – who should I fear?

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God, taking hold of your right hand and saying to you, Fear not. I’ll help you.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.

Psalm 56:3 When I fear, I trust in you.

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than them? And which of you can by fear add a single hour to your lifespan?”

Matthew 6:34 “Do not worry, then, about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. The day is satisfied with its own need.”

Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where is my help coming from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Bible verses about how God is with us in our suffering

God has not promised that we will not suffer in this life, but he has told us that he will walk with us through our valleys. He will be right by our side and His grace will be enough.

James 1:2-4 Whenever you face trials of many kinds, my brothers and sisters, count it pure joy, for you know that testing your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you are mature and complete and lack nothing.

While other worldviews lead us to sit amidst the joys of life and anticipate the sorrows to come, Christianity empowers its people to sit amidst the sorrows of this world and savor the joys to come. – Timo Keller

Romans 8:17-18 Now, if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we truly share in his sufferings in order to share in his glory. I hold that our present sufferings are not worthy of comparison to the glory that is to be revealed in us.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who endures the test, for after passing the test that person will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; submit to him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 112:1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. You are not afraid of bad news; their hearts are firm and sure in the Lord. Their hearts are firm, they will not be afraid.

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in need.

Bible verses about relying on God’s strength

If we look to God, He will give us the strength we need to get through the dark times. Here are some verses that speak of his unwavering love for us and how he gives us strength as we look to him in prayer.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all these things through him who gives me strength.

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He will carry us when we cannot go on. Raised in his power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect” ~ Jerry Salley & Steven Curtis Chapman

Psalm 16:8 I always have the Lord before me. Because he is on my right, I am not shaken.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weak and strength to the powerless.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from evil.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his power, seek his face continually.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God in all things ministers for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak out of want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I know how to live with modest means and I also know how to live in prosperity; In every situation I have learned the secret of being full and starving, both of having plenty and of suffering from want. I can do anything through Him who strengthens me.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; Do not fear or be alarmed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold; Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is going before you. He will be with you; He will not let you down or leave you. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.

Bible verses about overcoming and rising up

With God as our strength and our guiding light, we can overcome our difficulties and transcend ourselves.

You will find joy in overcoming obstacles. – Helen Keller

1 John 5:5 Who will overcome the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us. And with perseverance let us run the course destined for us.

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

1John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thank God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have your own favorite verses that gave you strength, courage, determination, or hope in the middle of a battle? Tell us what it is in the comments!

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More Bible verses for strength and encouragement

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Since pleasing God is essential to living an abundant life, building our faith is a natural step. We live in a world where the temptation to doubt God is constant. More than ever, His children need to learn to trust in His goodness and have strong faith.

Here are some practical ways to gain stronger faith and a heart that trusts God’s promises. Take a moment to go through the list below and discover your next step in deeper faith and trust in God.

1. Remember God’s faithfulness

Our faith will grow naturally as we make a conscious effort to seek ways to trust God. Pray and seek the Lord’s help when you are faced with a need or going through a difficult time in your life. Then watch and wait. He will move because you trust him.

Once you see him stepping in or speaking into your troubles, you have something to hold on to; your heavenly Father cares for you and acts for you! The next time you find it difficult to trust God, remember that He has interceded for you before, and He will do it again. Step by step you will build a strong faith that will help you face life’s challenges.

2. Start a prayer and worship journal

When we face spiritual obstacles and feel the crushing weight of our burdens, we forget what God has already done for us. An easy way to focus on God in these moments is to keep a prayer and worship journal.

Use a journal to write down prayer requests, including the date you committed them to God’s hands. If God answers your prayer, add this information to your journal. Your journal will contain the evidence you need to face difficult times with a deeper faith in your loving Father’s faithfulness.

3. Ponder God’s promises

Difficult things often come into our lives suddenly, as if they were falling out of the sky in our path. All you can see at this moment is a mountain. It blocks your progress and vision of what lies ahead. When we focus on the mountain, we lose faith in God.

The Bible tells of God’s children overcoming obstacles with His help. Ask God to give you the strength to climb your mountain or make your way to the other side. When God takes you by the hand and leads you to victory, your faith will soon overshadow all your mountains.

4. Trust God’s plans

When we receive bad news or are confronted with difficult circumstances, it often shakes us to the core and fear sets in. A perfect way to build faith that will not fail is to always trust in God’s plans. He knows your future and has plans to lead you to success. Life-shattering moments come as no surprise to God, even when tears fill our path.

Memorize Jeremiah 29:11 and hold it in your heart. If you are tempted to doubt God’s presence in your life, this Bible verse can be a reminder to never walk alone. Walking with the Lord is the best way to learn to trust Him in everything.

5. Pray God’s promises back to him

A great way to increase your faith is to pray for the promises found in God’s Word. Some promises in the Bible apply to a specific person or people. Faith, however, challenges us to believe that if it was done for these people, God can do it for us.

Find Bible verses that you can pray in any situation. Your faith can grow slightly with every answer to prayer you receive, every promise it grants, and every deliverance it offers. He may also examine your faith when he determines that getting through circumstances is in your best interest. Praying his word back to him will teach you much about your faith and the will of God.

6. Take time to listen

Our lives are full of things that demand our attention and take up our time. There is a cure for these distractions: Start listening to the Word of God daily. Instead of listening to music on the radio while commuting, you could try listening to a podcast from your favorite pastor. Instead of spending two or three hours watching your favorite TV shows every night, take some time for a Bible study instead.

Philippians 4:8 lists what to focus on, but life suffocates those things. Taking deliberate steps to listen to the teachings of His Word will bring direction, hope, and growth to your life.

7. Ask the Lord Jesus to strengthen your faith

There is an easy way to increase your faith: Ask Christ Jesus to increase it. His followers asked him to increase their faith in Luke 17:5, and they saw his miracles and heard his teachings firsthand. If they needed more faith to do the Lord’s will, how much more do we need?

To build your faith, ask the Lord to increase it to the level needed to do His will. God is faithful to His children, and His desire is that we walk by faith. So boldly ask the Lord for a full measure of faith.

8. Read and memorize God’s Word

There are many bad things that rule our hearts and minds, most of which will serve no purpose in hard times. In comparison, the Word of God is a pillar of fire that guides us through the darkness of difficult circumstances.

Reading the Bible reveals God’s goodness and faithfulness. Your faith will deepen as you learn more about the God you serve. Memorizing Bible verses will help you when faced with exams. You will emerge victorious on the other side of your trial. You will not win because of your strength, but because you have trusted in God. Each time you overcome with the help of God’s Word, your confidence grows.

9. Surrender your trust to God

The sin of self-reliance is a prime example of lack of trust in God. If you don’t trust God, then your faith is based on something else. Believing in other things limits the power of God in your life. Finally, because of human limitations, you are disappointed.

Notice the areas of your life where you have not surrendered into God’s hands, and then ask Him to take control. Entrust your life to God’s plans and God’s ways. This will increase your faith as you learn that His ways are far better than you ever imagined. Devotion leads to stronger faith and deeper trust in God.

10. Identify areas of unbelief

Mark 9:24 is a picture of what happens when unbelief comes face to face with Jesus Christ. The father in this story brought a deep personal need before the Lord, and the encounter revealed his unbelief. It is best not to wait until you are in a crisis to discover your unbelief, because unbelief interferes with your belief.

Ask God to examine your heart and write down what He reveals. Fight your unbelief with the help of the Word of God. As you move from unbelief to belief, your faith and trust in God will flourish.

11. Trust God with your pain

When difficult times come, it is easy to question the goodness of God. Your heart then begins to equate God’s goodness with your will, and this leads to disappointment. Resist the urge to believe that God doesn’t care about you when things aren’t going the way you want them to. You must align your mind and spirit with the promises of God and trust Him no matter what.

The purpose of suffering in your life is in God’s hands. He knows your deepest and most desperate needs and is ready to discuss them with you. He has prepared enough faith for you to be victorious, so ask Him to fill your spirit with whatever you need. There is pain at night, but with it comes joy in the morning.

12. Denounce empty belief substitutions

The Old Testament tells how some of God’s children trusted in everything but Him. The results were devastating and painful. Today’s culture offers us many idols that we can trust, but they are only empty substitutes for the living God.

Good things like church, work and family can become idols, and God stands squarely against idols of any kind. Pray and ask Him to reveal to you if you have based your faith on anything other than Him. Tear down all proxies revealed by the Holy Spirit and ask for His help to believe in God alone. As the Lord helps you remove the obstacles to growth, you will experience greater levels of faith.

13. Capture your thoughts

Many Christians struggle with doubt, and God’s Word teaches us that we are not alone. John doubted the identity of Christ, and even Thomas did not believe it was Christ when he saw him.

God is always calling His children out into deeper waters and unknown lands. Why? To help us trust him. So how do you deal with faith-destroying doubt? Pray and confess to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Fight your doubt with the Word of God. Look up Bible verses that will help you make your every thought captive and obedient to Christ. Ask the Lord to believe you to overcome your doubts and you will be amazed at how much your confidence grows.

14. Organize your life according to His will

Sin undermines our faith in God and makes us feel we have lost God’s love. When we feel unloved or ashamed, we avoid God’s presence, just like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Our feelings drive us away from believing in God and His Word.

A great way to build your faith is to repent and confess your sins. Recognizing God’s holiness and aligning your plans under His sovereignty will open your life to new and exciting avenues to strengthen your faith. Ask God to show you if you have a sin that needs to be forgiven. When you make His will your heart’s desire, you give glory to God and begin your journey to greater faith.

15. Focus on the needs of others

Often we see people who seem to radiate power and faith in God. If we’re being honest, we wish we had that kind of faith. How did they get their spiritual state? They got out of the boat and tested the water, trusting that God would hold them or teach them to swim.

Serving others is a perfect way to go out in faith and see God at work. The first thing you need to do is find something you enjoy doing and serve in that area. Your church should have many opportunities to serve. If they don’t have a service for you, then start one! God can use your joy in service as a catalyst for growth in your life and influence the eternal lives of others.

16. Make God your safety

What do you depend on for your safety and well-being? Is it a different person than Jesus? Is it your job, your talent, your intelligence or your status? When you base your beliefs on things or people, your security crumbles over time. Jobs and wealth are lost, people die or leave us. There’s always someone smarter, and your status is just a social media post away from being shattered. It only takes one catastrophe to awaken us to the realization that we built our lives on sand and not on the Lord Jesus our rock.

Make a list of the important things in your life, then pray and commit them to the Lord’s loving hands. Ask the Father to bless you with the faith you need to trust Him completely. Then you can stand your ground no matter what bad things happen.

17. Practice contentment

It’s hard to be happy when things aren’t going the way we want them to or when we’re in the middle of a long trial. While dissatisfaction is natural, it shows a lack of trust in God. The children of God must fight against dissatisfaction. We should decide in advance to stand firm in our faith and trust in the goodness of God no matter what.

Whatever lies ahead, focus on what He will accomplish through your disappointment or suffering and on the promises of God. Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, the originator and finisher of your faith, and He will help you grow and trust even in your suffering.

18. Use your faith shield

A great enemy of our faith is spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians in AD 60, but God’s Word is just as alive, active, and relevant today.

Satan’s desire is for God’s children to doubt and lose faith. Satan attacks our faith because he is our shield and protects us from his fiery arrows (Ephesians 6:16). Before you find your faith wavering, read Ephesians 6 and make the armor of God a part of your daily life. We find the secret of having enough faith in verse 10: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” We do nothing in our power, but our faith in God activates his power. Pray and confess that you need His power and protection. Ask him to strengthen your faith so that you can stand against whatever the enemy throws in your way.

19. Remove proud thinking

Pride does significant damage to our faith by challenging our trust in God. Pride teaches us that we have all the answers, so we believe the lie and look to our own understanding more than God’s truth. Psalm 139:23-24 provides a template for testing our lives in lewd ways.

Pray and ask the Father to reveal all areas of your life that are ruled by pride and ask for forgiveness. In a notebook, list what he reveals, and then find Bible verses that will help you overcome those proud areas. As you pray and make a conscious effort to eliminate pride from your life, you will develop a deeper trust in God’s promises. A deeper trust leads to a closer relationship and a stronger belief in his love for you.

20. Build trust through prayer

Prayer is a conversation with the living God, yet His children often neglect it. As we pray, we get a sense of God’s heartbeat for the lost, our families, and our spiritual condition. When we lack the words to pray, we can ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us.

God has provided everything you need to grow through prayer. So start today and spend some time in the presence of the Lord. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but as you pray and feel His presence, your faith will be firmly established. The Christians who make prayer a part of their daily lives will continue to grow in faith and trust as they see God move.

21. Be a witness of his faithfulness

Talking to others about Christ is frightening for many people, mainly because we feel we don’t have all the answers or aren’t sure what words to use.

Pray and give yourself to be an instrument to tell others about His love. Confess your fears and ask the Lord to help you share the good news of Jesus Christ. God will open opportunities for you to testify. You will find God faithfully giving you words, and the power of the Holy Ghost will touch people’s hearts through you. Your level of faith will increase as you walk under the influence of His love and power.

22. Invoke the Holy Spirit

We’ve all been in a situation where we know we need to step out in faith, but we cringe. How do we overcome those moments when fear dominates our faith? Long ago, our Heavenly Father provided all our needs through the power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus called Him our Helper in John 14:26, so the next time you find yourself in a situation where you want to cringe, stop and pray.

Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith to step out and do what God has called you to do. As you fulfill your commission that He has given you, your faith in Him will increase as He uses you to do great things.

23. Be a good steward of the faith

Oftentimes, Christians yearn for more faith despite not being true to what they already have. One of the best ways to increase your faith is to obey what you already know you should do but are not doing.

James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the Word of God. The first step toward having a strong belief is to make a list of things you already know you should be doing. For example, prayer and reading God’s Word should be a part of your daily life. If not, your next step would be to make time for all of these things. Be faithful with what you have and you will grow with every step of obedience!

24. Remove obstacles to peace

The lack of peace is an obstacle to building faith and trust in God. Often we are unsure of what to do and the lack of peace freezes our progress. Sometimes we are not sure that we know the will of God and the lack of peace keeps us from doing anything.

At Isaiah 26:3, God promises “to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are settled, because they trust in you.” Here is the secret of your peace: Trust in God. Pray for God’s guidance and trust that the Spirit of God will not allow you to deviate one step from His will for your life. If you take Him at His word and trust that what He says is true, His perfect peace will reign in your spirit, leading to the growth you desire.

25. Walk closely with Christ Jesus

In Colossians 2:6-7, God commanded us to “walk in Christ Jesus the Lord.” Being close to him will give your faith the roots it needs to thrive.

Here are some practical ways you can walk closely with the Lord Jesus. Read about him in God’s Word first. Of course, learning more about what he did and said will lead you to the next step. Worship Him, praise Him for His sacrifice and His love. Then follow His guidance in all areas of your life, including service to others. As you walk with him, your faith will be strengthened.

Conclusion

These steps aren’t all-inclusive, but they’re certainly a good start. God has gone to great lengths to provide you with a close relationship with Him, and faith and trust are essential to that relationship. Let this list be your first step in pleasing God.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. However, the Bible tells us of many people who pleased Him. The meaning is that it is possible, so pray and seek the necessary faith. O Lord, today we ask for Your help and provision to lead a faithful and pleasant life. In the name of Jesus, amen.

About a week ago I put together a huge post with well over a hundred Bible verses about money and how we need to make sure we always put God first in our lives before money – and anything else.

We can easily let money take over, and God can quickly take a back seat if we are not careful.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24

However, as I recited all of these verses, it struck me that I never really addressed an issue that seems particularly important right now amid a pandemic and massive job losses that so many people are having a tough time. The idea of ​​hoping in God for strength in the midst of hard times.

Bible verses about strength

Today I have decided to put together some encouraging and challenging verses about how and where we need to find strength in the midst of turbulent times.

I hope you find them uplifting too.

Where do we find strength?

Where do we find our strength? By the Lord our God!

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we shall not be afraid, even though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, even though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their waves.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run in and are safe.

Nehemiah 8:10 Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I hold you with my righteous right hand.

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; He gave me the win. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of need.

Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack nothing good.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep in peace those who persevere, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting Rock.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his power; always seek his presence!

Psalm 32:7-8 You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with deliverance songs.

Exodus 33:14 My face will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord that goes before you. He will be with you; He will not let you down or leave you. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The everlasting God is your refuge, and beneath are the everlasting arms.

Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry out for help, the Lord hears and delivers them from all their distress.

Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.

Don’t worry or fear, find your strength in him

It can be so easy to indulge in worry, fear and despair, but in Him we can find strength and look forward to wonderful things. He gives us hope!

Isaiah 43:1-3 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I called you by name, you are mine. When you walk through the waters, I’ll be with you; and by the rivers they will not overpower you; If you walk through fire you will not be burned and the flame will not consume you. For I am the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Luke 12:25-26 Which of you can add a single hour to your life by worrying[a]? 26 Since you can’t do this little thing, why worry about the rest?

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 I leave peace with you; I give you my peace. I don’t give you as the world gives. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – who should I fear? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my adversaries who will stumble and fall. Even if an army besieges me, my heart is not afraid; though war breaks out against me, even then I will be confident.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; Do not fear or be alarmed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears her screams and saves her.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

God gives us a spirit of strength and power

Through faith in Christ we are given a spirit of power, love, and discipline, and for that reason we have nothing to fear. We can keep His promises and trust that He will be with us even in the darkest of days.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, and of love, and of self-discipline.

Psalm 138:3 When I called, you answered me; You made me bold and brave.

Psalm 16:8 I always have the Lord before me. Because he is on my right, I am not shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my stronghold, i will never be shaken.

Psalm 112:1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. You are not afraid of bad news; their hearts are firm and sure in the Lord. Their hearts are firm, they will not be afraid.

Psalm 91:1-2 You who dwell under the protection of the Most High, who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty, shall say to the Lord: “My refuge and my stronghold; my God in whom I trust.”

Psalm 112:1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. You are not afraid of bad news; their hearts are firm and sure in the Lord. Their hearts are firm, they will not be afraid.

Hard times may come, but he is with us through them all

Although we are not promised an easy life, we are told that if we believe in Christ, he will be with us, that he will give us no more than his help can handle, and that even our hard times can be used to glorify God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it means to be needy and I know what it means to have much. I learned the secret of being content in any situation. . . . I can do everything through the one who gives me strength.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from evil.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weak and strength to the powerless.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his everlasting glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will restore you to yourself and make you strong, steadfast, and steadfast.

Hebrews 4:16 For we have no high priest who cannot endure our weaknesses, but we have one tried in everything as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore boldly approach the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold; Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is going before you. He will be with you; He will not let you down or leave you. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways.

Strength in Christ our Lord and Savior

As the verses above illustrate, we are told to call on Jesus Christ and that He will hear us and give us sufficient strength, hope and grace to see us through. He will be our ever present help when we are in need, and He can give us a peace that surpasses understanding. For me that is very encouraging.

And you? Do you have any favorite bible verses about strength and where can you find them? Did any of the above verses stand out to you more than the others? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Want to find more verses about strength in the Bible and don’t have your own? Get a Free Bible.

Whether you’re changing your life with drastic new beginnings or just thinking about changing the color of your living room paint, for some of us, change of any kind can be a little daunting. While we know that change is inevitable and usually something positive, we are creatures of habit by nature, so it can take a little nudge to make us take a big step. The good news is that so many people out there have spoken about it (see our positive quotes about change) and are willing to shed some light at the end of the tunnel to give us comfort and motivation. One place that is always a sure source of encouragement to grow is in God’s Word. The Bible has so much to say about the goodness of change and God’s presence every step of the way. It may be hard, but you have a God who loves you and wants the best for you. Look to his word and he will guide you through uncertain times. Read Bible verses about stress or Bible verses about courage to learn more about how to get through these difficult times.

The word sanctification is not found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The process of sanctification, however, is what Paul describes in chapter 5 as the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.

One of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is to cultivate Christian character and to transform us ever more into the image of Christ. This is sanctification, and this is the basis of the teaching of Galatians 5. Here are five things we need to know and teach about sanctification:

1. Sanctification is the work of God.

All our efforts toward holiness are futile apart from (1) the work of Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10:10) and (2) the working of the Spirit of God in us. Paul emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit by repeating the phrase “by the Spirit” in Galatians 5:16,18,25. He used the phrase “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” in Romans 15:16, and in Romans 8:13 he said that “by the Spirit” we are able “to put to death the works of the body.”

2. Sanctification involves our cooperation.

Notice the commandments in Galatians 5: “walk in the Spirit” (verse 16), “live in the Spirit” (verse 25), and “keep in step with the Spirit” (verse 25). While justification is entirely God’s work, sanctification involves our cooperation with God. Christ set us free from the dominion of sin, but the responsibility to resist sin is ours. God has given us His Spirit, but the responsibility to walk in the Spirit is ours. “Seek . . .

3. Sanctification is an ongoing process.

While justification is once and for all, sanctification is an ongoing process through which we grow in holiness. The Greek verb translated “walk by the Spirit” in verse 16 is a translation of the Greek verb peripateo, which literally means “to go about” or “to go about.” It is the same word Jesus used for the paralytic: “Rise, take your mat and walk” (Mark 2:9). The word walk can also be used to denote a specific lifestyle or behavior. Paul used a verb tense that reflects continuous, ongoing activity. The word walk reminds us that sanctification does not roll effortlessly down a freeway; it wanders resolutely up a more arduous path, steadily approaching the goal, but never arriving until we “see it as it is” that day (1 John 3:2).

4. The goal and measure of sanctification is Christlikeness.

God’s purpose in our sanctification is to transform us more and more into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Don’t be fooled into defining spiritual maturity in terms of religious activities (sanctification-by-checklist). The 8 point record system I grew up with in the church is not a measure of spiritual maturity. (On the weekly cover was a checklist: attended Sunday school, brought Bible, lesson learned, giving, church attendance, daily Bible reading, number of visits, and number of other contacts. Check the items on the list and you’re good for another one week!) On the contrary, Christlike character is the measure of growth in sanctification.

5. The most important instrument of sanctification is the Word of God.

Jesus’ prayer for his disciples: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17), reminding us that God sanctifies us through His Word. Paul understood that God’s Word trains us in righteousness so that we can “be complete” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). So let us drink deeply from the Scriptures, for through them God will transform us more and more into the image of Christ. (See also Ps. 119:11; Acts 20:32; 1 Pet. 2:2.)

Remember, “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3).

Mike Livingstone works at Lifeway Christian Resources as the content editor for Explore the Bible materials.