We all face adversity.
Some situation…some reality…someone or something causes us to face hard times in life. I bet as you read these words you can think of the adversity you’re facing in your life right now. For some it might be something small that you have confidence (with God’s help) you can overcome. Hear me when I say that this is a good thing! Overcoming the difficulties of life, even the small ones, is a victory no matter what; so take encouragement and hope in your accomplishment.
For others, the adversity they’re facing is something far greater and more difficult to navigate. It could have to do with their marriage, kids, finances, or job. Maybe it’s their health or the health of a loved one…a matter of life and death. Someone could be struggling with an addiction or facing extreme pressure to look and act a certain way. These forms of adversities can weigh so heavily on us, can’t they? They can make it hard to breathe and hard to think. We can feel helpless and afraid, unsure and not wanting to face whatever is going to happen next.
The pressure is so…real.
So how do we face the adversities of life? Big or small. What can we think to help ourselves through these difficult times?
Brothers and sisters I would first ask you to remember that you’re not alone. That yes, WE ALL face hard times, but we also ALL have the opportunity to overcome them with Jesus by our side. When you’re faced with a situation that is bigger than you, please, don’t despair. Somewhere, there is someone that can relate to your struggle. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and never forget that God wants us to lean and depend on Him. He’s hear, ready to protect us, according to His own time and plan.
“So keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. “
--1 Peter 5:10-11 (MSG)
I also want to encourage you to do your best to stay positive in your actions and in your thoughts. King Solomon wrote, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7; NKJV) The worse thing we can do in the midst of adversity is carry a negative and miserable outlook on life. By doing so we risk our sour thoughts becoming self-fulfilling prophecies.
I know that sometimes hearing someone say, “STAY POSITIVE, YOU CAN DO IT!” can be annoying. But realize it’s more than just cheesy words. Choosing to look at our situations with a positive mind set will build up confidence in ourselves and in God. I think sometimes we really believe that we’re not living unless we’re miserable. Don’t believe that lie! Show yourself and the world that God is for us and that He has control over our situations and has them handled far better than we ever could.
Lastly, I will say…be patient. I know that’s hard. I’ll admit that even praying for patience during difficult situations makes me nervous sometimes. Why? Because then I’m sure that God will grant my plea and I’ll have to exhibit patience….which as we all know, can be difficult depending on what is happening.
I think one of the hard parts of facing adversity is being patient while God fulfills His will for our lives…whatever it may be and in whatever timing He chooses. I can get impatient wanting the answers and solutions to come sooner rather than later. It’s in these times that I try to remember David’s heart in the 27th Psalm. At this time in his life, the future King of Israel, had everything going against him. Accused of things he hadn’t done, the king sent soldiers after David with orders to take his life. David ran from place to place, lonely and afraid…longing for home and desperate to be exonerated from baseless charges.
It was during his life on the run that David beautifully wrote from his heart:
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
--Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)
While I’m not making light of anyone’s adversity, I think I can say with certainty, that most of us haven’t faced a situation where we were being chased down to be murdered by a tyrant king. So with that perspective, perhaps all of us can at least try to follow David’s example in our own circumstances.
Perhaps the best place to start is finding comfort in the knowledge that our God can overcome any obstacle, even if we can’t. Let’s take Him at His word, and let’s trust in Him.
"THESE HARD TIMES" - NEEDTOBREATHE
