As I consider the people I know, I see challenges everywhere I look. My own life has many. But God has been kind enough, and mercifully gracious, to help me handle these challenges the best way possible. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 comes to mind as I consider God’s hand in my life: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

From the Apostle Paul I learn that being weak and reliant on God are the best way possible to deal with life’s challenges. Actually, it is the best way to live every day.

The problem is, we just don’t like the hard things of this life. Satan’s scheme to derail God’s people includes the lie that we should have the easy life now. But God tells us in His Word that what is coming when we are with Jesus forever will bring what we long for – life without struggles. 

In the meantime, there are reasons for the struggles we experience now. 

We struggle because we [through Adam and Eve] chose to rebel against God. But God is patient, and has given us the means, through His help, by His Spirit, to navigate this life’s challenges.

I also find that God allows rough circumstances because of me. I have rough edges, ungodly values and thoughts that require God‘s work and refinement.  It is for my benefit that someone speaks to me in a harsh manner. I’m not saying they are right. I’m saying that I need God‘s work in my life and the way He is going to do it is by means of that harsh person. 

Psalm 119:71 states: “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

I have a choice in how I respond when someone is harsh and unkind towards me. My response will give me a measure of where I am with Jesus. Jesus was never harsh, no matter what was said to Him. He was direct with truth. I want to be like Jesus. There is an amazing sense of peace when I don’t respond negatively when someone speaks unkindly to me. 

Some may call my response weakness, but I call it strength in God!! Since God is the one who will give me my final review, I want to pass His test, and not succumb to people’s low standards.

Is your heart hurt over a situation? Perhaps your trial is unkindness toward you from others? Maybe your trial involves a number of situations that make you feel as if you are spiraling out of control. 

What might be the best way to deal with those things that are torturing our hearts? 

Remembering Jesus‘s words, His promises, and acting upon them. We should avoid reacting and overreacting to the situation. 

Consider these promises, and how they might help you work through your struggles, the best way possible:

1 Chronicles 16:34: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

We are instructed in Mark 12:29-31 as follows: “Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I find that focusing on others, sharing the gospel while serving others helps me to take my focus off of myself and my cares. I find that though the circumstances may not change, I am changed by the power of God. 

I find the best way possible to handle my rough times is to fix my eyes upon Jesus, remember His promises to care for me, now and forever. After all, this life is a very short stay compared to the eternal life with Jesus that awaits me.

If you would like to talk about handling life’s challenges well, please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.