For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Our salvation through believing in Jesus Christ as our saviour and by God’s saving grace does not automatically grant us immunity from our worldly trials, troubles, tribulation and suffering. If you’re interested in reading more on what I think about on why suffering exists, please come back and click here. Jesus, both divine and human, knows all about suffering and He knows what you are going through. Yes. He does. Through Scripture and in faith we have learned that God is in control during difficult situations, but what do we do as God’s passengers while He is taking the wheel? What are some things that we can do in the meantime?
Read MoreFor I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29: 11
God, our Creator, is our ultimate music conductor to our symphony of life. In fact, every single day of our lives have already been recorded in His book (Psalm 139: 16). He has made us from dust and to dust we shall return. I recall how painful it was waiting to become a mom and bearing the possibility that I would never become a mom. Every year, every day, every week, every day and every minute was unbearable. Looking back, God has taught me that He was in control the whole time. When God is in control what should we do while He carries out His plan?
- Praise God
The first thing we should do in amidst of our troubling circumstances is to praise Him. The first thing Paul did to address the unhappy church of Corinth was to praise our Lord.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3
Paul’s leadership was in question, but before defending his integrity and dwelling on the problems he praised God. I must admit, I often forget to do this. When my integrity is in question or if there are troubles at work or at home, my human instinct is to react emotionally, defend my character and then to start fixing the problem. After studying 2 Corinthians Paul has taught me to praise God first above all else. Praise God for who He is and not for what He has or has not done for us.
2. Pray
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24
Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27: 7-8
Jesus prayed in Gethsamane before he was arrested. He knew exactly what had to be done and what was about to happen. Instead of running, complaining, or speaking up for the wrongful accusations about Him, Jesus prayed. Praying doesn’t have to be formal nor does it need to have the perfect wording or phrases. When we pray we are having a conversation with God and we can talk to Him anywhere and at any time. We can pray out loud, in a cry or in a whisper, quietly in our thoughts and/or with others. When you talk to Him, express your worries, frustrations and anger. Ask Him to carry you through your darkest and deepest valley.
3 Be still
As I previously mentioned, I am one who is quick to take action and problem solve when unanticipated issues arise. I do this, because I firmly believe that there is no time to waste. If I address the problem now, I can prevent it from getting worse and the answer/solution will make it go away. I can then move on with living the busyness of life including parenting and the responsibilities at work.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46: 1, 10
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40
However, I am reminded through Scripture that we are called to be still. Being still is when we can listen and hear what God is whispering. Being still even if it’s just deep breathing for 2-5 minutes will bring down our stress response. When we are quiet we are more able to focus on God when the waves in our lives are drowning us. Are we able to put time aside in our day to be still and be with God? Do we have time to read the Bible? Pray?
4. Open our hearts
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18
As our Father He is our parent who knows what is best for us and is teaching and guiding us—we just have to open our hearts to Him and listen. Allow your heart to be open to our Lord who wants to help you and comfort you. You may be going through heartache but even during the heartache He can bring you peace within your heart.
5. Repent
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139: 23-24
To repent is to have sincere remorse for our wrongdoings. We must ask ourselves, is what we are going through a result of our wrongdoings? Pray that God will reveal all that needs revealing. We are undeserving but by through His grace, He wants to forgive us. God always keeps His promises, we just have to be patient and self-reflect on our thoughts and actions. Are we living the way God wants us to live? To repent is to take accountability for what we have or have not done that goes against God’s teaching. When you repent, remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Forgive yourself and do not dwell on the past because dwelling does not change things. It’s Jesus who makes us new.
6. Sing
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40: 3
Let all that I am praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Psalm 146:2
I don’t know about you but when I am tired, anxious, upset or sad there’s nothing like a good praise song that I could sing to that will lift up my spirits. Singing allows me to focus on God above and away from the raging waters. What’s your favourite worship song? I would love to hear more about it in the comments section!
7. Write a gratitude list
In Psalm 103 David lists all of the things that he loves about God and all that He has done for him. When we are stuck in our troubles, it is easy to focus on all of the wrong things happening in our lives. Naturally, we complain and vent to our spouses, family, friends and maybe coworkers. On the other hand, listing things that we are grateful for even during troubling times can help put things into perspective. A gratitude list helps us to lift our eyes towards Him instead of concentrating on ourselves.
8. Help and comfort others
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:4
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25
Helping and comforting others is another way to glorify God while He is working in the background. Is what you are going through or what you have experienced something that is relatable to someone else’s struggles? Is God using you so that you can comfort others? Instead of focusing on our troubles are we able to redirect our time towards helping others. We are called to use our spiritual gifts and our personal challenges should not stop us from helping others. Perhaps you may know someone who could use some babysitting assistance or someone who can pick up groceries for them. Have you considered starting a small group at your church? Helping and comforting can also come in the form of a phone call, a card and even a smile. Friend, pause and take a moment to pray about what God wants you do to do help others.
9. Positive self-talk
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Speaking negatively about ourselves prevents us from acknowledging God’s great work and who He created us to be. I will never be good enough. I am a horrible mother. I will never get a job. I am not smart enough. I am ugly. I am too fat. I am not enough. I failed my marrige. Friend, God has created us in His own image. Click here to learn more. God, our loving Father, wants what is best for us. So when we start thinking negatively and our thoughts start falling down the rabbit hole, redirect those thoughts in a positive direction. Think about those amazing spiritual gifts God has given you. I pray that you will take a moment today to reflect and acknowledge something positive about yourself.
10. Let it go and let God
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7
Our human capabilities are just that—human. There are limits. We can only do so much. After that, we have to surrender and submit to God’s will. While we are trying God is also working in the background. We must allow ourselves to lift up our worries, angst and challenges to God. Pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon you so that you can let it Go and let God do the work.
My dear friend, I pray that in the deepest of valleys and through the raging waters that you look to God first. Seek Him first. Praise Him first. Pray to Him first. Love Him First. If you need a prayer, nothing is too big or too small for the Lord. I am also happy to pray for you. Please feel free to submit your prayer on my prayer page.
Many blessings, Justine from The Scarlet Rope
