God will carry you through your challenges

In the spring and summer months, my family and I regularly take walks by the beach. There, enjoying the beautiful shoreline and surrounded by God’s nature, I often think about a poem: “Footprints in the Sand.”

“Deep in his slumber, one night a man had a very real, yet surreal dream. He dreamt that he was walking along the beach with God. As he looked up at the sky, he saw all the scenes of his life flash by along with two sets of footprints: one set for himself and another for God.

“After all the scenes had flashed before him, he looked back at those footprints and noticed something quite disturbing: At the most difficult times in his life, he saw only one set of footprints.

“This deeply troubled the man, so he turned and said to God: ‘You said that if I followed you, then you would always walk with me through thick and thin. In looking back, I see that during the most painful times there is only one set of footprints. Why did you leave me when I needed you the most?’

“God answered, ‘I love you and would never leave. It was during those times when you suffered the most that I carried you.’”

— Mary Stevenson

Have you been suffering because it seems as though you’re going around in circles and nothing appears to be happening? Are you up against a situation that is difficult? Or have you made a mistake, and now you wonder if there is any hope for the future?

Regardless of what you’re facing, God will “carry you” through your challenges. At times, you may not feel as though you are able, but there is nothing in life you and God cannot conquer together. For if God is for you, nothing can stand against you. So if you are going through a trial, close your eyes and imagine that God is carrying you right now. Then, don’t look at the obstacles in your life. Rather, look to God for He is saying to you today, “Fix your eyes on Me.”

Hence, even when situations seem “impossible to overcome,” “unfair” or it looks like circumstances are “never going to change,” stand strong in faith and press on toward your goals and your bright future. Remember, God is with you. And so, each day, believe and repeat aloud the promises that God has given us in His Word:

• My God will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

• God is my refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1-2)

• I am more than a conqueror to He who loves me. (Romans 8:37)

• He will strengthen me, help me and uphold me with His righteous right Hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

• So, I will rejoice in confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and I’ll keep on praying. (Romans 12:12)

There’s an account in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 20 about Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. Confronted with trouble, King Jehoshaphat found himself in a dilemma beyond his human capabilities or control. There was a vast army swiftly approaching Jerusalem. Three nations had formed an alliance against Judah. And King Jehoshaphat knew that his own army would be no match for the huge mass of invaders.

King Jehoshaphat was helpless, and he could not handle the crisis on his own. Faced with an overwhelming situation, it appeared that there was no hope. But King Jehoshaphat was devoted to God. He was faithful. So immediately, King Jehoshaphat turned his attention to God. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:3)

He looked beyond the troublesome circumstances and organized with the people, a time of prayer. King Jehoshaphat began by singing praise to God. He expressed God’s mighty power to help them in their present helplessness, saying, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). As the King continued praying, the people’s spirits were strengthened and lifted.

God listened to his prayer. And as the people waited in faith, God had a prophet tell them: “The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s. You will not have to fight. Just watch, and see how He will save you.”

When Jehoshaphat’s army came upon the invaders, they discovered the three armies had been bickering with each other. They fought among themselves and were completely destroyed by internal fighting. The battle was over. “(T)he kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:29)

Calamity may come your way, but there is nothing that separates you from the love of God. Therefore, don’t be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Like King Jehoshaphat, pray with your whole heart, trust God, and look through any troubles and toward Him.

God is all powerful. He is a God of justice. He is your vindicator, and He will make the wrongs turn out right. Before long, God is going to move in your behalf. You’re soon going to be introduced to the right person. Shortly, a new door of opportunity will open. God will bring hope and healing. For God will help you to take a seemingly hopeless situation and transform it into success. And love, peace and abundance will be in your future.

A while ago, a friend of mine and her family adopted a little black-andwhite kitten. Yet, they had little background information on the sweet animal. Since my friend hadn’t yet taken the kitten to the veterinarian for a checkup, and being concerned, she questioned her teenage daughter. “What if the kitten isn’t healthy?” she asked. Her daughter smiled, so happy to have a new pet and answered, “It doesn’t matter what happened before. What matters is what we do now.”

Today is a new day and with it comes a clean slate. Come to terms with what happened yesterday and cease dwelling on it. I want to be the one to remind you that new beginnings are up ahead. Get motivated again. Look ahead with hope. Think positive. Write down some new goals. God wants to do something extraordinary in your life. So go to God. Praise the Lord. Thank Him by faith for the victory to come, and He will “carry” and intercede for you.