When life is hard
Dave Willis of “sixseeds, patheos website” exclaims, “We've all had days and maybe even years when life just doesn't seem to be going our way. I had long seasons of life where I felt like nothing was working and everything was out of whack and I've had frustrating days where I just can’t seem to get anything accomplished. The long season of joblessness, sickness, financial stress and marriage strain was sometimes too much to bear. But with God's mercy and grace, I was able to triumph and overcome these obstacles.”
The situation painted by Willis brought back to mind some memories wherein a close relative experienced a dry season in her life. Her husband was jobless for years and her three kids were in school. Despite her meager income, she never lose hope that God would helped her in due time. Indeed with God's grace, her husband was given a break as an assistant accountant in a construction firm. And her three children got scholarships in high school and got employed abroad. Now they are living a joyful and productive life.
Life can be tough and rough but I believe if we just hold on and have a strong faith and trust in the Lord, a silver lining in the horizon would come our way.
Willis felt the same way. Hence, he shares the following insights that had helped him in his tough journey:
Remember that your character should always be stronger than your circumstances. We can't always control how we choose to respond. In those moments, I stopped complaining, and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life. The parts that seem bad, start to show much less significant. I advise you to keep a positive attitude and a thankful heart regardless of what you are going through. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Remember that your struggles always lead to strength. Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strength, faith, and perseverance in your life if you let Him. All your pain has a purpose. “And we know that in all these things God works for the good of those who love Him, who has been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
Remember that God's timing is always perfect. God's plans are almost, always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect. “Have the patience to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Remember that God will never leave your side. You may feel like you' re going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to bring you into God's family, He will be by your side to the end, so never lose hope. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because the Lord your God goes with you.He will never leave you nor forsake you!” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
In the same vein, Marc Chernoff of “marc&angel Hacklife website,” shares these perspectives.
Things will change again sooner than you think. You're not going to avoid change. Change is the process of life itself. In fact, everything is changing every single minute of our lives. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That's one thing you can count on.
Your attitude can improve your situation, or degrade it. No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse. Remember this. You can't have a positive life with a negative attitude. When negativity controls your thoughts, it limits your behavior, actions, and opportunities. If you realized how powerful your thoughts were, you would never think another negative thought again.
You are strong enough to rise above this. Don't allow your temporary wounds to permanently transform you into someone you aren't. A strong person is not one who doesn't cry, a strong person is one who cries for a moment openly, and then gets up and fight for what he believes in.