No one prays for difficult times but it comes like an uninvited visitor. You might have questions like; Can I live without tough times? Why do I have to go through difficult situations? Is my Christian life not immune against difficult times? I also have questions, but it does not change the fact that God is Able to do all things!
Imagine the hurdles of John who was born in the year 1900. World War 1 began when he was 14 years old and never end until his 18th birthday. He survived the tough times but 22 million people perished.
Just as everyone was trying to breathe a sigh of relief, Spanish Flu pandemic hits the world later in the year. And, John struggled through this period until he was 20 years old, but the flu infected about 500 million and killed 50 million people.
He believed in the Word of the LORD and made his faith stronger than before.
The four years of Great Depression began when he was 29 years old when the unemployment hits 25% and the World GDP dropped 27%.
When John was 39 the World War II starts, and about 79 million people died when he was 50 years old. He survived difficult times repeatedly because he did not stop trusting God for a better life.
Yes! he spent 75 years on earth, but the unique virtue about his story is that he did not allow the difficult times to steal the joy of his salvation.
What to Do During the Difficult Times
You don’t have to be miserable, frustrated and unhappy during the tough times. God is never going to put you into a condition or let you into a trial, without giving you the ability to be in it with joy.
Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Five things you need to do include:
1. Kick off Bias
Difficult times suck faith but you must be firm and focused on your path of Salvation. Don’t look at the hardship but always look at the LORD. No matter how tough it is, don’t take God for granted. Believe in the Power of the LORD for your survival.
2. Praise the LORD
This is a difficult thing to do when going through difficult times but I discovered it shortens the troubled time. It saves you from depression and connects you stronger to the LORD.
Paul who went through many troubles knew this secret and he said: “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
3. Learn to be Calm
Don’t be aggressive to the LORD, your spouse, children or anyone around you. Aggression steals your joy. It would make you stay longer in the unwanted situation, so make yourself gentle in your thoughts and actions.
There was a time I do not know the way out of my trouble because I was just too aggressive, it was so difficult for me to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit- the Great Counsellor…
4. Pray for Grace
Everyone would have to go through one or more difficult times. If tough time starts from the life of Adam and Jesus was not spared from troubles, then you have to be ready to conquer yours too.
Emulate Jesus by engaging in prayers. Don’t cry to hurt your eye balls and don’t bleed your heart to depression but live a prayerful life!
5. Avoid Shortcuts
It is natural for you to think of the shortest route to your breakthrough, but my friend most of the shortcuts are trap of the devil who want you to miss the will of God for your life.
God may delay but HE would surely come to help you. Your timing is different from God’s timing. Remember the story of the ten virgins in the book of Matthew chapter 25.
As you follow the steps above you would surely survive the difficult times without backsliding. May the LORD strengthen your heart and make a way for you in Jesus name.
