STAY STRONG AND HAVE FAITH

STAY STRONG AND HAVE FAITH




Life is not predictable. There are ups and downs along the way. Most of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times feel difficult, it is even more important to trust God. God’s unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady and uncertain.

Life can be going along smoothly for a season. Your job is satisfying. Your friends and family are enjoyable. Your goals, finances, health and outlook seem bright. Then, all of a sudden, life throws a curveball. Someone you know gets sick. You lose your job. A friend or family member betrays you. The things you felt secure in all of a sudden feel shaky and uncertain.

God hasn’t promised us a rose garden. Not in this present world, anyhow. That misguided idea has no place in the message of the Christian gospel. When life seems full of pain, we need to remember what Paul said to Timothy about “enduring hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). We should also bear in mind a couple of very broad principles that are fundamental to the biblical worldview.

First, we must never forget that we live in a fallen world. If things go wrong and trials beset us, this isn’t a reflection on the power and genuineness of God’s love. Nor does it necessarily imply that we have sinned against Him or displeased Him. It simply means that the world isn’t what it’s supposed to be.

How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances? How do you have faith in Him when you do not understand what is happening? When you cannot see a resolution? These are valid questions, and God wants to help you navigate them.

 

What Does Faith Really Means

 

Having strong faith is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. So, when it comes to trusting God that means believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability, and His strength. The Bible says that God cannot lie. That He always keeps His promises. That He loves you and has well in store for you. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true.

Trusting God is not about ignoring your feelings or reality. It is not pretending that everything is OK when it isn’t. Trusting God is living a life of belief in and obedience to God even when it’s difficult. Faith in God is more than a feeling; it’s a choice to have faith in what He says even when your feelings or circumstances would have you believe something different.

 

Now that you know what it means to trust God, how exactly can you do that in your everyday life?

Because God loves you, you can show your trust in Him by talking about all your feelings and circumstances with Him — the good and hard — through prayer. Don’t let your emotions rule your life; bring them to God so He can help you address them. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. He cares about you, and you can trust Him with those things.

When you trust, you go to God and His word when life is hard. You also act on obedience (doing what God says in His Word) and trust that He will ultimately take care of the rest. In trust, you do not look for security in other things; you look to God to hold you securely in difficult circumstances. You won’t do this perfectly, but God is kind and patient with you while learn to trust Him.

 

My God is bigger than my struggles

 

When you are experiencing difficulties, the first place to start to deal with the issues, is with yourself. Your attitude in challenging times could determine the outcome. While you might not be able to change your circumstances, you can certainly cooperate with God to change you.

The place to start in this journey of self-examination and growth is your heart. Your life will go in the direction that you heart is set. You might need to ask yourself these questions. Am I carrying offense and resentment in my heart? Is my heart truly set on the things of God more than that of the world?

After a time of careful reflections, confess areas of your life where you are off tract, tell God you want him to guide your life from today. You want to move forward with a heart that is open to change, and responsive to God's Word and the Holy Spirit

Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming at times. It is really hard to see past them to other good things going on. But God’s grace is in all things.

But those good times often get overshadowed by other more complicated things going on. In the face of those difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them.

 

When your faith starts to crumble

 

God is trustworthy even when you don’t see your prayers answered or problems solved right away. Life is unpredictable and difficult at times, and that difficulty may persist for longer than you had hoped. It may even bring you to the end of your strength. So, what do you do then? Wait, have faith, and remember that God loves you. You can trust Him to sustain you, provide for you and be with you even in the midst of your hardship.

God is completely trustworthy, but He does not ask you to trust Him blindly. He wants you to learn to trust Him as you get to know Him. You can get to know God through personal time with Him and through His Word.

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 )

 

 

 

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