How to Keep Faith in Difficult Times?

We all face undesirable events and situations in life. You may be going through a season of difficulty in your life right now. It could be job loss, finances, illness, the loss of a loved one, a relationship with a troubled child or even divorce. But whatever the challenge, you can have the faith to see it through by finding your strength in God.

Before you read on, we'd like to remind you that we have plenty of other articles on faith with Bible verses. You'll find plenty of articles, Christian prayers to Mary, St. Joseph and much more...

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Rediscovering faith in difficult times

As the song in the video below says, your life may be hard, but God is good. In fact, you can stop feeling like a victim of your situation and find purpose through your faith. I found the apostle Paul's words in Romans 8:35, 37 very encouraging in times of adversity:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be trouble, or trial, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Let these verses resonate in your heart and know that no matter how serious the situation you're facing, you can experience God's love and nothing can separate you from it. You have reason to cry out even in your dark place, because you have God's love and his Word that all things are possible with him.

Consider also that you don't have to limp through this difficult time, but you can have the attitude of a victor. In fact, the Apostle Paul says you are “more than conqueror”. Why is that? Because Jesus Christ has already won the victory on your behalf, and all you have to do now is accept it by faith.

Take this journey and allow the Lord to speak to your heart and change you, through these seven steps in the form of seven short devotions.

Life is hard, but God is good!

Step 1: Examine your heart

In this time of adversity, open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to show how you may have missed God's perfect will for your life.

In this time of adversity, open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to show how you may have missed God's perfect will for your life.

Verse: “Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).”

When you encounter difficulties, the first place to start dealing with problems is with yourself. Your attitude in difficult times could determine the outcome. While you may not be able to change your situation, you can certainly cooperate with God to change you.

The starting point for this journey of self-examination and growth is your heart. The wise King Solomon commands, “Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). The verse implies that everything begins with your heart, and as such, you need to pay close attention to what's in it.

Your life will go in the direction your heart is set. You may need to ask yourself these questions. Am I carrying offense and resentment in my heart? Is my heart really attached to the things of God more than the things of the world?

After a time of deep reflection, confess the areas of your life where you're straying from the ways, tell God you want him to guide your life from today forward. You want to move forward with a heart open to change and sensitive to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Central question: Is your heart truly ready to prepare for God's purpose to be fulfilled in your life?

Prayer: “God our Father, your Word says that you need truth in inner paties. I open my heart for you to show me any hidden agendas I may have that are not in line with your perfect will for my life. I ask you to wash me with the blood of Jesus Christ, and I move forward committed to your purpose for my life. Amen.

Step 2: Meditate on God's Word

Verse: “Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may see to it that you do all that is written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1: 8, NIV) .

The context of the verse indicates that Moses had died and his assistant Joshua was facing the enormous task of assuming leadership to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua knew it was a difficult undertaking from Moses' experiences with the Israelites. But Joshua was not alone; he had God's assurance that He would be with him and direct his path.

It's important to note that God gave Joshua strict instructions, and simply described, Joshua was supposed :

• Meditate constantly on God's Word, that is, know His Word and keep His heart upon them.
• Obey carefully the instructions of God's Word, and be not just a hearer of the Word, but a doer.

In your own situation, God gives you the same instructions. Take time to meditate on His Word, and especially His promises concerning your situation. Find God's promises that speak to your situation and say them yourself day and night.

It's not just a matter of repeating Scripture, but of allowing God's Word to change you. You can only reap the full benefits of His words if you apply them to your life. Then there will be a change in your focus, and you will become more sensitive to what God's Word says about the circumstances you face.

Jesus promised: “If you abide in me and my word abides in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). So meditate on God's Word and allow Jesus' word to become a reality in your life.

Central question: Are you satisfied with spending enough time reading and meditating on God's Word?

Prayer: “Father God, thank you for having your Word to meditate on instead of focusing on my difficult situation. Give me a deep desire for your Word that it will change me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Coping with difficult situations

Verse: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV)

Prayer, above all, is a communication with God, where you commune and build a relationship with him. In the course of this relationship, God encourages us to ask for the things we need. Nineteenth-century preacher Andrew Murray defines prayer as a way of drawing God's blessings upon ourselves and the people around us.

In the face of adversity, spend time in prayer and ask God to meet specific needs as he promises in his Word (Philippians 4:19). But there are principles for effective prayer. The late Kenneth Hagin, describes the following steps for praying with results.

1. Ask the Father in Jesus' name (John 16:23).
2. Pray with faith (Mark 11:24). Believe that what you ask your Father for, based on the promises of his Word, you have received.
3. Forgive others (Mark 11:25). Not forgiving can hinder your faith and prevent you from receiving what God has for you.
4. Pray by the Spirit (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit helps you in prayer. He is the Helper, so rely on him to enable you to pray effectively.

When you ask God in faith to meet specific needs in your situation, there's no need to keep asking for the same thing. But spend time thanking God for hearing and answering your prayer.

Focus activity: Take time to prayerfully read and meditate on Scripture related to the steps of effective prayer.

Prayer: “Father God, thank you for inviting me to ask you, and I will receive. You are the God who answers prayer. Today, I bring this difficult situation I'm facing --------- (be specific). I ask you to work through this situation -------- (make specific requests). Thank you for the changes that have already begun. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Step 4: Renew your mind

Verse: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is: his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Psychologists tell us that the way we think influences the way we feel and behave. In keeping with this idea, the verse asks you to renew your mind. Your state of mind could be causing your life to fall short of God's perfect will for you.

When you face difficult circumstances, you might find that you become very focused on them. Then, these frustrating events could begin to shape your thinking. The result could be thought patterns that don't conform to God's Word.

Then, as the cycle continues, negative feelings like sadness, resentment and anger can lead to poor decisions and actions. So, instead of letting the world throw you into its mold, make a conscious effort to focus on what God's Word says about you and your situation.

As you continue to focus on God's Word, you'll get more and more of God's perspective on the situation you're facing. Then you'll see that things aren't hopeless because God is in the situation changing you and ultimately your situation.

With your new perspective, you could see God using what was destined for evil to be a blessing in your life and the lives of others (Read the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37 and 39-50). With this perspective, you can rest easy knowing that God is at work. Norman E. Rosenthal, MD, in his book, The Gift of Adversity , advises, “sometimes it's wise to remain silent even in the face of injustice.”

Central question: are you more focused and receptive to the unfavorable situation in your life than what God's Word says?

Prayer: “Father God, I thank you because my mind is renewed by your Word, so I don't have to be controlled by dictates in any situation. Thank you for changing my mind through your Word and giving me a new perspective on the situations I face. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Step 5: Build your faith in God

Verse: “”If you can?” says Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23, NIV).

The context of the verse suggests that the question wasn't whether Jesus wanted to heal the boy, because he did. The bigger question was whether the father could believe to receive healing.

What about you and the situation you're facing? Maybe you've prayed and made specific requests regarding the situation. Maybe you don't see any change and feel that God doesn't want to answer your prayer and bring you the relief you need.

Can you believe that God wants to intervene? Then make the decision to believe that God's promise is true, for “all things are possible to him who believes”. Then ponder the next verse!

“What is faith? It's the confident assurance that something we want will happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it in advance” (Hebrews 11: 1, TLB)

Express the confidence of faith by boldly declaring specific promises related to your situation. In doing so, you'll find that you have a peaceful, quiet rest that God is at work in the situation, even though you may not yet see any outward change.

Focus question. What steps will you take to keep standing in faith until you see answers to your prayers?

Prayer: “Father God, thank you for answering prayers. Help me to keep faith in your promises until I see changes in my situation, and you will get the glory! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Giving thanks

Step 6: Offer praise and thanksgiving

Verse: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV ).

God wants you to thank and praise Him, not only in good times, but also when things get tough. After all, he never changes and his blessings are available in every situation you face. When you praise Him, you recognize His goodness in all seasons.

Andrew Wommack describes three benefits when we praise and give thanks in adverse circumstances. Praise is beneficial because you :

• Encourage yourself. You move from the difficulty of the situation, to see God's love, power and faithfulness. You no longer see a hopeless situation, but that God's power is able to change you and the situation. By praising, you can be like David, who in difficult times encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). Then you see, El Shaddai, the Almighty God of blessings, who nourishes, satisfies and sustains.
• Cast out the enemy. The devil is behind most of the unfavorable situations you encounter. He is the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He wants to hinder God's plan for your life. When you give your praise to God, where it belongs, it drives out the enemy.
• Please God. It delights God's heart to see his child praising him even in difficult circumstances because it shows your trust and confidence in him. Praising God in difficult situations demonstrates your faith in God because “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
• Receive Jesus' gift of peace. Jesus gave his disciples this assurance just before he was crucified: “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.... Let not your heart be afraid. Neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). . This promise is for you today. Receive his gift of peace and praise him for it. Then the peace of Jesus will surround you, and the fear you feel will disappear.

Spend some time taking inventory of God's goodness in your life. Recall specific things he has done in your life and begin to thank him. Think about who he is; his divine qualities and begin to praise him. Let praise and thanksgiving flow from your heart, for God is good! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Central question: What steps will you take to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving and praise in your life?

Prayer: “Father God, I thank you for your goodness in my life. You are faithful to me and I give thanks and praise. Give me a grateful heart in every situation I face. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Step 7: Nourish your mind, soul and body

Verse: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV)

When you go through adverse circumstances, especially for long periods of time, your spirit, soul and body can be affected. Your spirit is at the core of your being, and so the previous six devotions have focused on your spiritual build-up. But there are other important aspects of your life that you need to pay attention to when you're going through difficult times.

When you seek balance in life, you nourish all aspects of your life, including the spiritual, social, emotional and physical realms . They're all interdependent. So take steps to care for your physical health, including good nutrition and adequate rest and exercise.

Socially, it's essential to create strong bonds. Foster healthy, nurturing relationships with your family and in your church. Why not join a small-group ministry at your church? Here, you can connect, grow in your faith and feel a sense of belonging. You also get opportunities to reach out to others.

Nurture your emotional well-being by reducing your stress levels. An important way to start is to respond to your Father's invitation to cast all your anxieties and worries on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Change your inner speech (internal conversations) to positive, self-validating conversations that are in line with God's promises in his Word.

With your faith at the center of your quest for life balance, you're more flexible to adapt to difficult situations. You'll experience God's peace and spiritual and personal growth as you go through difficult times. This leads to balance in aspects of your life in different seasons.

Key questions: What steps will you take to balance your life as you go through difficult situations?

Prayer: “Father God, thank you for allowing me to experience balance in my life because it is entrusted to you. I recommit myself to you and open my heart to you to work in my life: mind, soul and body. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Bible quotes to encourage you in difficult times

• "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be trouble, or trial, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37, NIV).
• Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).
• "Always keep this Book of the Law on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8, NIV).
• "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid, don't be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV).
• “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV).
• "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV ).
• “‘If you can’?” says Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23, NIV).
• “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV ) .
• "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV ).

Enjoy the seasons of life

Divine resilience: bouncing back from hard times

As you work through the seven steps, affirm that your faith can get you through tough times. Acknowledge that you've already begun your journey of personal and spiritual growth and renewal, then expand your horizons about what God is doing in your life.

You can be like Joseph was, in his experiences of slavery and prison, he got better instead of bitter. You too can gain a new perspective and seize divine opportunities even in difficult places. Then you can say, like Joseph, what was meant for evil, God used for good. He said to his brothers:

“You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened” (Genesis 50:20, GNB).

Ultimately, you can bounce back from adversity because your faith in God has helped you. Your testimony will encourage others because they'll see how God brought you through hard times into a good place....