Growing up, I had an idealistic scenario of what I hoped my future would be like. My aim was a life of peace and circumstantial happiness. But it didn’t take long to realize reality is far different.<\/p>\n
When I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I figured it would be much better since I’d chosen the right path. What I didn’t factor in is true life is about something far greater than comfort and smooth circumstances.<\/p>\n
God is working for my good, but He alone knows what that is. Sometimes we face hard, confusing situations. Jesus tells us we’ll experience troubles , but we wonder why since all they seem to produce is pain. [1]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n In a broken relationship my wife and I are facing with a close family member, God seems to have erected a \u2018God at Work – No Trespassing\u2019<\/strong> sign. We’ve done all we know to do.<\/p>\n We pray ferociously. We cry out. We wait.<\/span><\/p>\n The following steps help:<\/span><\/p>\n Don’t Pretend <\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t pretend all is well. Acknowledge life is different than you had hoped. Accept the loss and feel the pain.<\/p>\n Lord, I call You near in the depths of my grief. You\u2019re the God of all Comfort. Sooth my pain with the Joy of Your presence.[2]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Celebrate God’s Faithfulness<\/span><\/p>\n Celebrate the fact that God has seen you through tough times before and trust He will do it again in this situation.<\/p>\n Lord, You\u2019ve been so faithful through so many difficulties. Looking back, I certainly see how You\u2019ve used these trials for me to give up trying to live life on my own and to trust You.[3]<\/strong> The eternal work You\u2019ve done in my soul makes this very hard situation worth it. It has strengthened me emotionally and spiritually. It has drawn me closer to my bride. <\/em><\/p>\n Fret<\/strong> – to be worried or anxious.<\/p>\n Catch yourself in the act of fretting about what you can\u2019t change. This is in the Lord\u2019s hands. Decide to stop trying to figure things out.<\/p>\n Lord, I trust You to invite me into this difficulty when You\u2019re ready. I don\u2019t want to thwart what You\u2019re doing. In the meantime, I trust You\u2019re at work in the lives of all involved in ways I may never understand.<\/em><\/p>\n Focus on the beautiful things on this side of the ‘God at Work’ sign.<\/p>\n With the birds, celebrate the waking of the new day. Look your loved ones in the face and take in every precious moment. Stay present. Engage your senses in all of God’s moments. Savor. Acknowledge God’s nearness in every detail of His creation.<\/p>\n Though we may feel as if we’ve failed, in Christ, we believers are complete. [4<\/em><\/strong>]<\/em><\/strong> and no situation can change that. We died, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God.[5]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Lord, in You I’m okay, even if this situation is never resolved. I’m free to enjoy life’s moments with You, in spite of any unexpected situation. <\/em><\/p>\n But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; <\/span>(<\/span>Psalm 73:28a NASB<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Lord, my heart is ready to be glad. In you, I rejoice always, even when life takes a turn which threatens my sense of well being. Through it all, my eyes are on You. My faith is growing because of this hard reality in ways I would have never thought possible. I draw closer to You every day because of it. I don’t need this situation to work out to be okay. <\/em><\/p>\n You are enough.<\/em><\/p>\n My life is oriented from things above where I\u2019m seated with You. My comfort is not the most important thing. Please continue Your work while I wait.<\/em><\/p>\n Yet those who wait for the <\/span><\/span>Lord<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> [1] <\/strong>John 16:33<\/p>\n [2] <\/strong>II Corinthians 1:3-5<\/p>\n [3]<\/strong> II Corinthians 1:8-9<\/p>\n [4]<\/strong> Colossians 2:9-10<\/p>\n [5]<\/strong> Colossians 3:3<\/p>\n Other Posts on enduring Hard Times<\/strong>:<\/p>\n When Things Get Hard<\/a><\/p>\n Turing Drainers into Gainers<\/a><\/p>\n Can we be Sad and Glad at the Same Time?<\/a><\/p>\n Casting Your Burdens<\/a><\/p>\n Knowing God’s Love in Spite of the Circumstances<\/a><\/p>\n Mustering our Faith<\/a><\/p>\n Fixing Our Hope on What Lasts<\/a><\/p>\n Dealing with Sadness and Disappointment<\/a><\/p>\n I Can’t Do This<\/a><\/p>\n Longing Hearts<\/a><\/p>\n Until the Darkness Fades<\/a><\/p>\n Finding the Silver Lining<\/a><\/p>\n Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God\u2019s nearness in the midst of life\u2019s adventures.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/em>Novels by the Author:<\/span><\/p>\n What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time<\/a><\/p>\nStop Fretting<\/span><\/h4>\n
Focus on What’s Beautiful<\/span><\/h4>\n
Take Time to Draw Near<\/span><\/h4>\n
\nWill gain new strength;<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\nThey will mount up with wings like eagles,<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\nThey will run and not get tired,<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\nThey will walk and not become weary. <\/span><\/span> (Isaiah 40:31 NASB)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n