Trusting God in Hard Seasons

First, I want to say that we all go through difficult seasons and these days it seems to be more often than not. This is partly because our global world seems to go from crisis to crisis and the earth groans. We feel it. (Romans 8:22) Then, we also groan waiting for the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23). Finally, we are all, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, appointed to share in His sufferings. (1 Peter 4:13; Philippians 3:10).

Importantly, no matter what the source and kind of difficulties we face, God has provided comfort for us. Three sources of solace God prescribes for us are as follows:

1. The Word of God gives us invitations, promises, and truths to sustain us and guide us through difficult seasons.

2. The fellowship of the community of believers is given to us to help us bear our burdens in difficult seasons.

3. Prayer is given to us at all times and is especially important in difficult times.

1. The Word of God

This is what is most commonly available to us in every season on a daily basis. The word of God is my main source of guidance. It is, indeed, God speaking to us. Following are three of my life verses that help in times of trouble.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30

Be anxious for 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. -Philippians 4:6-7

The verse in Isaiah is a straight up promise. God tells me not fear. He tells me He is with me, and He promises to strengthen me, help me, and uphold me. My part is to believe and receive. It’s my main grounding verse and more and more the truth that God is with me calms and comforts my soul. The other two verses require me to do something in order to receive something from God.

In Matthew 11, Jesus issues an invitation to come to him to receive rest for my soul. My part is to come to Him when I feel weary and heavy-laden and this often means pushing through condemnation but just the fact that Jesus invites me to come to Him when I feel low causes me to love Him and trust Him. Jesus invites us to come to Him in the hard seasons.

Paul writes to the Philippians to be anxious for nothing but to tell God what is troubling us. Now this is a big “do” verse but really simple. We just list our requests, our asks, and then leave it with God and He promises to give us His peace in our minds and emotions. Wow! What a promise. The thing is, we have to slow down, maybe write down, and tell God what is actually causing us worry and anxiety. This is a great verse to bring us into conversation with our God and Father. He invites us to be really honest with Him, to come as children really. The words of a hymn come to mind:

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word;

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.”

2. Fellowship with Believers

Jesus is our example. We know from the Scriptures that Jesus had fellowship with the Father from eternity past and while He walked the earth as a man. Jesus also desired the fellowship of humans. He often stayed at the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha and He went to their home to rest before He endured the cross. Jesus invited His disciples to watch with Him and pray with Him in the Garden of Gesthemane while He poured out the anguish of his soul to His Father. He was a real human being who suffered at the expectation of suffering and desired the companionship and solidarity of His friends.

In my own life it requires humbling myself to share my suffering with others. It requires me to lay down pride and to trust others. I am grateful to God for giving me a few close friends I can turn to in times of trouble. Satan desires to isolate us and get us into shame while God has clearly told us to bear one another’s burdens and to weep with those who weep. He tells us to confess our trespasses to one another and to pray for one another that we may be healed. (James 4:16) May we do so as He gives us opportunity.

3. Prayer

Prayer is talking with God.

The Bible exhorts us to:

- pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

- Pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1)

- Make our requests know to God (Philippians 4:6-6)

- Cry out to God in times of trouble (Psalm 50:15)

The Book of Psalms is the Prayer Book of the Bible and about one third of the Psalms are laments in which the psalmist pours out his pain to God. It is clear from the Scriptures that God wants to hear about our pain and to comfort us.

Father God, thank You for giving us Your word, Your people, and Your prayers to guide us and comfort us during the difficult seasons of our lives. We rejoice that You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. That is your name. Amen

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash