Life’s challenges are inevitable. It’s only a matter of time when some life’s challenges occur. Keeping faith during hard times is important to overcome challenges and ultimately grow relationship with God.
Here are several tips on how to keep faith during hard times.
1. Hold on God’s Promises
God made thousands of promises in the bible. There are about 7,147 promises written on the bible. When facing difficult times, we can hold on God’s promises.
To be easily reminded of these promises, consider making a list of bible verses whenever you find something inspiring or useful. When difficult time comes, you can view this list of bible verses and reflect on God’s promises.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
2. Reflect how God delivered You from Past Problems
God may have helped you from some problem in the past. Try to remind yourself on how God delivered you and be thankful of God’s faithfulness in your life.
When facing difficult times, we may have forgotten what happened in the past since we are too focused on what is currently happening. To remember easily, try to make a note of how God may have helped you from past problems as you go through life, no matter how big or small it may be.
3. Know who God is, and Trust in Him
God created the heavens and the Earth and everything in it. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the God to whom we serve. He is greater than all of the powerful people in the world. Remember how Great our God is.
When facing any troubles and challenges, realize how powerful God is. He can do anything. Call on to God in prayer and find peace in your hearts.
“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.”
Philippians 4:6-7
4. Remember about people from the past on the bible and how God delivered them
There are hundreds, if not thousands of people in the bible whom God delivered from their problems and experienced God in their lives. Think of these past events and reflect on it.
For example, Israelites were once slaves in Egypt for about 400 years in the book of Exodus (second book of old testament). God have done miracles and used Moses to ultimately deliver them from slavery.
Also, Paul on the new testament part of the bible was named Saul and persecuted believers of Christ, dragging them to prison and more (Acts 8:1-3). On his way to Damascus, a light from heaven made him blind for 3 days. Eventually, he changed and served God for the rest of his life and wrote most of the new testament books in the bible. (Acts 9 – Saul’s Conversion)
Even though he sinned greatly, God still forgave him and even chose him to spread the good news of Christ salvation.
Moreover, David defeated Goliath even though David was young and Goliath was a skilled warrior.
The God that delivered Israelites, David, and forgave Paul is the sale God who we are calling on. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
5. Focus on Christ
It is very normal to focus on our problems during hard times. However, this may make the problem bigger in our minds since it can occupy most of our time and energy. Focusing on a problem can make us more worried and more anxious about it.
Instead, try to focus on Christ during hard times. Our problems can feel a lot smaller when we focus on Christ. Also, Christ will ultimately help us solve life’s challenges and problems will be much easier with God rather than solving it with only our own strength.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
6. Do not Worry
It is very normal to worry when facing difficulties in life. However, worrying usually do not accomplish anything and time are often wasted worrying. Try to lessen worrying as mush as possible and focus on Christ.
Ask God in prayer to help you lessen and potentially stop worrying and ask Him to help you trust more in Him.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6: 25,33-34
7. Spend Time with God through prayer and reading the bible
Spending time with God everyday is really important to grow our relationship with Him. If not, we can easily forget who God is and be overwhelmed of life’s challenges.
Dedicating even 5 minutes a day reading the bible and prayer is a great start. When you do it everyday, it will eventually become a habit. After months, you wouldn’t even notice that you are spending 30-60 minutes a day dedicating time with God.
Tip: To start, try to read the new testament one chapter or half a chapter a day starting Matthew 1. Alternatively, read Our Daily Bread articles with some bible reading.
8. Meet with a church group or talk with friends and other believers
Talking with other believers in Christ and building relationship with the church, which is us, is helpful to navigate life and grow relationship with God. They can encourage us and give some life advice or suggestions and also, it feels good to help other believers as well.
To get started, try to connect with a bible based church near you and pray to God to guide you on what church to be with. Also, big churches usually have an online meeting group available.
9. God has a plan for your Life
Whatever you are going through, God has a plan for your life. It may make no sense for now, but eventually, we may realize that God has a plan for us for the better.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Silver Linings from Hard Times
After going through a tough situation, we may experience God’s provision in life and may deepen our relationship with Him. Also, problems can make us a better person. Going through hard times may result to some positive affect from it.
Hard times may teach us some valuable life lesson and help us how to deal with life’s challenges in the future.