Hard Times Can Be Holy Times |
|
|
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Sometimes we think if we can just get through this circumstance, life will finally be calm. We'll at last have the peace and happiness we've longed for. But what if life settling down and all your disappointments going away was the worst thing that could happen to you? What if your "I don't know" is helping you grow in trusting Jesus? When we're scared, uncomfortable, confused, or struggling with a situation, it's so easy to focus on simply wanting the pain to go away and to finally be free of challenges and struggles. We long for relief and comfort and peace. And we can have those things — but not by focusing on all our problems being gone. As today's verse reminds us, our hearts must stay close to Him by trusting in His promise to overcome. I wish I could promise you that your struggles will soon go away or that everything will turn out just the way you want it to. Yet as much as I wish I could, I can't. What I can promise you is this: Challenges can help us learn to depend on God. |
|
|
Challenges can help us learn to depend on God.
|
Challenges can help us learn to depend on God.
|
|
|
Depending on Him means we keep praying, we keep believing, we keep trusting His promises. We can't see the whole picture right now, but God does. And relying on Him means we trust that there is a reason why He isn't letting us see the whole picture. Maybe if we knew too much, we would rush past the lessons God has for us that are crucially important for our futures. The training ground is here in the "I don't know." This time isn't a waste, and it's definitely not pointless when we are walking with God. Let's cry out to God, declaring that this hard time will be a holy time, a close-to-God time. And let's choose to believe that, even in these places, good is happening. Because wherever God is, good is always working. Jesus, I don't understand some of my circumstances, and I do want things to change. But instead of focusing on what needs to change, I want to focus on depending on You in the process. Your Word says You will overcome, so I'm choosing to believe that You will do that at the just-right time. I'm declaring that this unsettling time will be a holy time, a close-to-You time. Thank You for always being close to me. Today I make a new commitment to depend on You daily. In Your name, amen. |
Excerpted with permission from Come Close to Jesus by Lysa TerKeurst, copyright Lysa Terkeurst Florida LLC. * |
|
|
Have you been waiting for your life to settle down so you can finally feel peace and happiness? What if instead you chose to rest in the holiness of right now, right in the thick of fear, uncertainty, discomfort, and waiting? Stick close to Jesus! ~ Devotionals Daily |
|
|
What to Pray When You Need the Lord to Still Your Thoughts, Calm Your Heart, and Guide Your Way (50 Devotional Prayers) | |
|
+ $10 off $45 with code SPRING10 |
Jesus longs for you to come close. Not just for answers or blessings, but to experience His peace—because He is the only one who can calm us, strengthen us, and give us the perspective we need. Join New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst as she shares powerful prayers, devotional teachings, and practical ways to draw near to the Lord. Come Close to Jesus is filled with prewritten prayers to help still your thoughts, calm your heart, and find guidance in times of need—but most important, to help you spend time with the Savior who loves you more than you can imagine. Whether you struggle with getting distracted during your quiet time, finding the "right" words to say, or bringing your honest thoughts to the Lord, this book was created specifically to help you connect with Him on a deeper level. |
|
|
Through these pages, Lysa shares her personal journey in growing her prayer life both through seeking the Lord diligently and walking through hard seasons with Him. In Come Close to Jesus, you'll receive: - Lysa's reflections and devotional teachings on prayer
- Her own guided prayers for you to follow
- Scriptural prayers for specific relationships and situations
- Bible verses to teach and encourage you
- "Prayer in Action" steps to help you pray and incorporate this wisdom into your daily life
|
|
|
Explore more books by Lysa TerKeurst | $10 off $45+ with code SPRING10 |
|
|
Surviving an Unwanted Divorce |
| I Want to Trust You, but I Don't |
|
|
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes |
| Forgiving What You Can't Forget |
|
|
Relaxed Online Bible Study |
Relaxed Online Bible Study |
What if you could live more like Jesus—unhurried, unworried, and relaxed? In Relaxed with Megan Fate Marshman, you'll discover how the One who was never worried about a thing lived with calm confidence and trust in God—and how you can learn to do the same. You'll explore spiritual practices that help you let go of your worries and striving and walk with more trust and peace. Join Relaxed Online Bible Study and get access to seven teaching videos and other helpful tools—all FREE when you sign up! |
|
|
this devotion with someone who needs it today |
|
|
*Sale price ends on 03/31/26 at 11:59 PM. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Free U.S. Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $35 excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
*Offer valid until April 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET or while supplies last. Offer valid online and by phone only. Take an additional $10 off your purchase of $45 or more with code SPRING10, after promotions and discounts and before shipping and handling costs are applied. Shipping, gift cards, or customization of products does not qualify towards minimum purchase requirements. Receive free standard ground shipping on non-rush orders of $35 or more, valid within the 48 continental United States or to an FPO/APO address; offer does not apply to Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Territories, rush orders, or expedited shipping methods. Offer only available to customers in the United States age 18 and older. To redeem offer, enter promo code during online checkout or provide the code to a representative during phone orders. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other discount offer. FaithGateway reserves the right to de-activate the promo code in the event of fraud or technical issues and limit quantities of individual items eligible for purchase with this discount. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Not valid for resale. *eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that: - To access your eBooks, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly in your browser by creating a Glose account using the same email address you use to purchase the eBooks.
- eBooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook).
- For more information about how to access eBooks purchased on this site, click here for our FAQs.
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment