No matter what your creative interests are, it’s important you work on letting […]. Watch how you rebound and fill in the gaps. Your writings on “How to keep faith in tough times” literally gave me exactly a solution that I was searching for, especially the 3 ways to keep right faith. Winner of the Golden Scroll Children's Book of the Year, the Enduring Light Silver Medal and the Maxwell Award, she is a member of the Christian Author's Network and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Transcript. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.” – Eminem [+] “I’ll never be a non-stumbler. Here are ten ways to cling to your faith when it seems all hope is lost: Photo Courtesy: Unsplash/Amadeo Muslimovic-. You may even want to resist faith because you don’t trust how long it will stay with you. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). Show your son love, no matter how far he seems to be straying. Because, you see, sometimes, life is going to feel impossible. Relate the loaves to the lake. The scariest seemingly hopeless situation in … If you do, God may bless you in ways you can only imagine and definitely don’t deserve. There is something very human about the need to pursue and conquer impossible things. Faith has the courage to look at what currently is and still know what will be. The next time you are faced with an impossible situation, remember how big God is. This will replace your sadness with joy, anxiety with peace, and restlessness with contentment. I give all that I am to You. I was mad at God, but all was not lost (even though it seemed like it at the time.). When you are struggling with your faith, stay in the moment as long as you need. When you are at the end of your rope and can no longer see or feel what hope looks like, the enemy of your soul pounces on your confidence, shreds […], Today’s Sunday Inspiration: The way for your relationship to grow and experience a love bigger than you and your partner could ever imagine is by doing something small – everyday. Allow yourself to grieve for what you have lost. The oldest brother grumbles and wants nothing to do with his brother. Focus on the positive. He is the way-maker. Not sure what your gifts are? I know that sounds odd, but consider the story. God honors those that have a faith so reckless they are willing to pound on God’s door if necessary to get an answer. Through the ups and downs of life I keep coming back to one false belief: I thought following Jesus would be a hell of a lot easier. 10 Things Never to Say to Your Adult Children, 4 Reasons Why God Doesn't Always Answer Prayers for Healing, 10 Old-Fashioned Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas, Praying Psalm 91 for Protection and Refuge. If you find yourself coming back from a difficult situation where your faith has been tested, begin to look for the small, but positive things happening around you. Don’t worry so much about whether your service fits with your “gifts” or “calling.” Consider that God raised you up at such a time for whatever need is before you, and even if it’s simply emptying the trash cans at your church, do so with a cheerful, humble spirit. In Luke 11, there is a parable about a person that goes knocking on a friend’s door in the middle of the night for some bread. So the next time someone says faith is a cop-out for religious people, don’t believe it! Keeping God at the center will help keep your light shining brightly in the sky as you light a darkened world. I thank you very much for your encouragement to people. I want that… I want to pray more, trust more, and expect more. When you feel your faith … Let it motivate you – to pray more, trust more, expect more. Our children were torn up over leaving their friends and their childhood home. 1. The prodigal son comes to his senses and with a heart of humility and repentance comes to His father, knowing he doesn’t deserve his father’s love and forgiveness. This sermon does not have any notes. Those little things will make […], “The truth is you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. If you have ever been in a situation where you feel like you have lost everything, you are not alone. Remember that there are still things to appreciate. So many quote the following verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13) without understanding the context. All of us go through difficult times. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand”(Psalm 37:23-24). The parable concludes with this: “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” God hears our prayers, but sometimes we have to wait for his perfect timing to hear that answer, however; there are times when we choose not to give up and to keep knocking to ask God for what we want or need. Plus discover how you can find joy in trials too with a free joy Bible study sample. If your situation seems hopeless, if it seems that nothing short of a miracle can save you, then you are in luck. Sometimes your path is smooth and flat; other times, your path is so rocky you find yourself stumbling aimlessly and falling frequently. ... a relationship, an idea of how you think your life should be. When you are feeling in a low funk, try these strategies to raise your vibes: Consider all the amazing things you’ve done in your life. God is there, even when it doesn’t feel like it. He will see you through! Imagine we are having a coffee shop conversation. She is also an associate literary agent with Wordwise Media Services. Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer. Let it act not as an accessory but as a constant reminder of Mary’s “yes” to God even when it was tough. I’m fighting the enemy, who wants to destroy my faith, distort truth, and keep me from glorifying Christ through my life. After five and a half years of church planting, our time had come to an end. Keeping faith in God during hard times can be extremely difficult. Watch how you rebound and fill in the gaps. Have enough shameless audacity to ask God for an answer. Why Life Without Faith is Impossible. Believing God is able is one of the most important things to hold on to in our faith walk. No matter how bleak things look, God is working out your situation for his glory. (Hebrews 11:6) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” 4. Keep the faith in your grieving. He is working in you and your son’s life, but with all the mess going on, it is hard to see His work. Your faith can be strong when you know what to expect. Practice joy in your circumstances, even when they seem bleak. Surround yourself with faithful, encouraging people. Depression gets you stuck inside your head. And when we choose to ignore situations that look impossible, we are also choosing to ignore the work of God. We had to sell our home due to the church not making it financially and move to a different state so my husband could take a job at an established church within our denomination. Do you think He knows the impossible situations you face? It’s impossible to think straight. Consider those with which you regularly attend church or someone you know, who is also a Christian, that may have gone through trials and tribulations as well. The most difficult season, and the one which so many Christians seem to battle through, is the dry season—the winter months. There’s something about serving others that allows you to shift your focus from yourself to them. And then there are some days when the clouds begin to fill in and block the light. I remember how hard I tried, again and again, to make changes in my life, build a thriving business doing work I loved, "find myself," create real depth and connection, and just be happy, secure, and in love with life. Our marriage was strained under the weight of all that responsibility. Faith is the tangible knowing that God is bigger than the problem, and that He is willing and able to help. To do more in life, to take the chance your heart is asking you to take, you need to have the faith to jump in without knowing the depth of the water. Name it, call out for it, or weep for it. Consider the obvious answers: Does God know your needs? I mean, should I really be surprised when all but one of the twelve disciples suffered violent deaths spreading the truth about Jesus. Get involved. Nobody ever said it wouldn’t. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Ask your pastor where you might be able to use your gifts in service to both your local church body and the Lord. I know that sounds odd, but consider the story. Although it seems impossible right now, there is a way to cling to God even when He is silent. We need love more than we need the air we breathe. About Alex Blackwell Acknowledge this and permit yourself to feel the sadness loss may bring. Here are four inspiring stories about finding faith and joy during trials—everything from job loss and unemployment to parenting issues and life-threatening illnesses. Nobody ever said it wouldn’t. Faith requires you to think, feel and believe. Everyone lives by faith whether they realize it or not. The more people knocking on God’s door, the better. He can bring life to dead relationships. Keep a rosary in your pocket. All rights reserved. Exodus 14:1-2, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, that. I just came across this post and I can relate with it fully. Yet, God knows where those steps are going to lead, but you must trust Him with your life’s direction. Do they have any tips or advice on how to weather this storm in your life? 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