| Tragic and heartbreaking situations can happen in life | | | | in the heavenly realms." This same power that was |
| at any moment and test the courage of even the | | | | present at the resurrection enables you to triumph in |
| strongest individuals. These troubling events can take | | | | your trials and tribulations. As you seek God through |
| the form of an unexpected death, serious illness or | | | | reading daily Bible verses and prayer, the Holy Spirit |
| accident, job loss, foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, | | | | teaches you what to do and guides you with His |
| home destruction or ID theft. They can seem | | | | wisdom. |
| overwhelming and hopeless. But regardless of the | | | | Third, God stirs up the desire within you to |
| circumstances, there is always hope, encouragement | | | | persevere. Even in the toughest times, the Father |
| and inspiration found in the messages and verses of | | | | has promised to turn your hardship into something |
| the best selling book of all time-The Holy Bible. | | | | positive. Romans 8:28 states: "And we know that |
| This past year was very difficult for many people. | | | | God causes everything to work together for the |
| They made bad mistakes, endured personal trials, or | | | | good of those who love God and are called according |
| experienced extraordinary loss. Oftentimes things | | | | to His purpose for them." During bad times, He |
| don't always turn out as expected. When that | | | | teaches you His ways, draws you closer into a |
| happens, we often wonder about the victory God | | | | relationship with Him, and develops your full potential. |
| promised in the Christian life. "Is there any purpose in | | | | This is why you never need to concede your joy |
| going on? Things seem so meaningless and empty. | | | | and peace when facing troubles because God is |
| Are You still with me, Lord?" These are some of the | | | | developing qualities that will be favored once the |
| questions that come to mind. | | | | difficulties pass. Romans 5:3-5 reads: "We can rejoice, |
| I want to assure you that there is hope and success | | | | too, when we run into problems and trials, for we |
| for everyone through Christ. When you trust Him as | | | | know that they are good for us-they help us learn to |
| your Savior, Jesus promises that He will never leave | | | | endure." |
| nor abandon you. His grace for you is renewed every | | | | Next, the Lord reminds you that He is continually with |
| day. As the prophet Jeremiah was enduring his most | | | | you as your Protector, Provider, and Comforter. Your |
| painful trial, he wrote, "Yet I still dare to hope when I | | | | friends or family may desert you, but God will never |
| remember this: the unfailing love of the Lord never | | | | abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 reads: "Be strong |
| ends! By His mercies we have been kept from | | | | and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord |
| complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His | | | | your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you |
| mercies begin afresh each day." (Lamentations 3: | | | | nor forsake you." No matter what you face, you are |
| 21-23). | | | | never alone. Luke 1:37 states: "For nothing is |
| Remember that God provides His mercy and the | | | | impossible with God." The One who helps you can |
| opportunity to witness His victory in all your | | | | overcome any obstacle, challenge, or dilemma that |
| circumstances. This doesn't necessarily mean that | | | | comes your way. |
| you will never again experience bad times. In fact, | | | | Finally, you are assured that God has placed |
| you may be faced with situations that require a lot | | | | constraints on your adversities. The Lord is aware of |
| of stamina, courage and effort. However, the Lord is | | | | your limits and weaknesses. He will not allow your |
| with you each and every step of the way. His grace | | | | difficulties to overcome you as long as you obey Him. |
| can sustain you regardless of what happens. | | | | John 16:33 reads: "I have told you all this so that you |
| Here are five points that reveal how God's grace can | | | | may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have |
| sustain you through tough times: | | | | many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I |
| First, He reminds you what Jesus accomplished on | | | | have overcome the world." You can be certain that |
| the cross. As you place your trust in Christ, you no | | | | God is in control of every trial and He will help you |
| longer need to carry the shame and guilt of sin | | | | overcome them. |
| because He has completely pardoned you. 1 John 1:9 | | | | Now and then, we all need encouragement and |
| reads: "But if we confess our sins to Him, He is | | | | inspiration. Life can be filled with renewed hope and a |
| faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from | | | | fresh beginning is always possible-discovered through |
| every wrong." You become reconciled to Him, and He | | | | The Wonderful Counselor's word found in Bible |
| hands you the freedom to forgive yourself. | | | | verses. The key to victory through trials is not your |
| Secondly, the Lord releases His supernatural power | | | | ability to face them alone but to rely completely on |
| to keep you going despite your pain, suffering, and | | | | God to help you. Trust Him, obey Him, and then |
| loss. Ephesians 1:19-20 reads: "I pray that you will | | | | leave all the consequences to Him. |
| begin to understand the incredible greatness of His | | | | Make it a habit to begin or end each day with daily |
| power for us who believe Him. This is the same | | | | devotions or a short prayer. Meditating on the |
| mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and | | | | messages and scripture verses found in the Bible will |
| seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand | | | | change your life. |