Grateful When Things Seem Hard

How do you handle the hard things in life?

I mean the things that tax your strength – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I woke up this morning tired. I hadn’t slept well and my body was aching. I don’t know why; I hadn’t done anything physically strenuous yesterday but all the same I was sore.

However, in the quiet my heart began to sing.

“Way Maker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, My God that is who You are. That is who You are! Even when I don’t see it You’re working, even when I don’t feel it You’re working. You never stop, You never stop working. My God, that is who You are!”

The lyrics of that song took my eyes off me and put them on my Savior and through Him I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

I know the Apostle Paul got weary.

“But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.’ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.” II Corinthians 12:9 ERV

What or who ever made us think that we had to do everything by ourselves? That we should be self-sufficient and not need help? It would be the enemy of our souls – the deceiver, who lies to us and tells us that we need to go it alone, to buck up buttercup, don’t be a weakling.

In and of ourselves we absolutely face limitations but in Christ we have strength and power.

“ For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

Do you think that David felt he had the power to defeat Goliath on his own? To the contrary. He knew his size was no match for a giant. However, he found his strength in God.

“ He said to David, ‘Come here, and I’ll feed your body to the birds and wild animals.‘ ⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. ⁴⁶ Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals.'” I Samuel 17:44-46 ERV

It’s important that we always keep the proper perspective. It’s never about our strengths or abilities. It’s always about His power working on our behalf.

“ He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.” Zechariah 4:6 ERV

In Christ we have these wonderful promises. He is the Way Maker and the Promise Keeper.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ERV

Let’s be like Paul – grateful in the hard times because that’s where we experience His strength!