Struggles and trials are a part of this Earth. We endure numerous trials weekly, even daily. Sometimes that trial might be something fairly small, and sometimes it might be a huge struggle, but no matter the size, it all requires the same thing: trust and God.
I used to think that the struggles I faced were a punishment. Maybe I didn’t pray enough, or believe enough. I soon realized that my struggles and pains had nothing to do with being enough, but everything to do with God. We see pain and tribulations as a curse. We don’t see them as a part of God’s plan, which they are. God has your whole life planned out, every single part. Every minute, every second, and every trial.
But I know that knowing that makes it even harder to trust Him. Knowing that He knew about the things that you would face, yet He allowed it to occur. I understand all too well. I have screamed and cried, and begged God to change circumstances and situations in my life, and all I’ve received is a silent ‘no’.
So I began searching for an answer. How are we suppose to deal with these struggles, and trust God? What does God even say about these things?
First off, trusting God is very important. I will admit that my trust in Him has wavered from time to time. But we must trust, and believe in Him, and His plans. We need to be strong in our faith.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God is powerful, and He will never leave you. No matter the struggles you are facing right now, and no matter the tears, He won’t let you go through this alone. He is your strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “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.”
Prayer is powerful. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re praying to no one. Like you’re talking to yourself, and praying to the air. I have asked God so many times why He won’t just give me an answer to my questions. Why I have to go through pain. Why He can’t just take it away, and let me live my life like I used to. Although He doesn’t always give me an answer, and I’ll be honest, most the time He doesn’t, I can always find peace in prayer. Just the comfort of knowing that He’s there, and listening to my prayers makes it okay.
Psalm 34:17-18 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Maybe you’ve thought about giving up, or maybe you already have. Maybe you have no more strength to even try, but relying on God to provide that little extra strength to press through the struggles is so worth it.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
And afterwards, you’ll realize that God had a plan all along. You’ll see it.
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
The struggles you are facing aren’t what you want, and that’s completely understandable. Going through hardships is not something we desire. It’s hard, and it takes a lot to get through them. Just because you trust God doesn’t mean that you have to want to go through them. It doesn’t mean you have to be happy about it. I’m not. I can tell you right now that I wish more than anything I didn’t have to go through them. Although I wish it were different, I won’t allow it to interfere with my trust in God. He has gotten me through a lot of hard times, and He still continues to do so. He listens to my prayers, and although He might not answer it the way I want, or right away, He still comes through in the end. So don’t give up just yet. God has a plan, and He won’t let you down.
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Yours Truly,
Brittany Parker
thewirehangerbywinnie.com 