by Darren Hewer
Are you going through a difficult time and would like someone to pray for you?
http://christianwomentoday.com/chat/share.html
Please open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
Former presidential hopeful John Edwards drifted away from his faith when he left home to attend college. His faith became a matter of routine. He attended church, but had no personal, vibrant, resonant faith. Then, tragically, his 16 year old son died. Afterward, his faith in God "came roaring back" and hasn’t left him since.
Sometimes struggle makes us aware of just how much we depend on God: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
Whatever trouble we’re going through, God is always with us. Paul himself was "perplexed" as to why he was suffering, but he knew that he could have faith (trust) in God. Since Jesus suffered, as followers of Jesus, we too will sometimes suffer, for "no servant is greater than his master" (John 13:16). How great a promise God gives us that he will never abandon us!
What is troubling you today? Our natural instinct is to obsess over the "Why?" question. Instead, why not try to focus on the "What?" question: "What shall I do next?" Then leave the rest to God, who is our refuge, gives us strength in times of trouble, and gave His life so we will live.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
(Philippians 4:13)
Lord, help me today to trust You and leave the “why?” with You and move on to the “what?”. Please help me to see what You would have me do next. Thank you. I trust You to guide me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Question: How has God taught you life lessons before through times of struggle? Do you trust Him?
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/darren-hewer/
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April 30th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Thanks so much for your devotional today Darren D. GOD is faithful!
2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in CHRIST JESUS will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV
“Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with HIM, we will live with HIM. If we endure, we will also reign with HIM. If we disown HIM, HE will also disown us. If we are faithless, HE will remain faithful for HE cannot disown HIMSELF.
Thank YOU LORD JESUS. I love YOU LORD.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Yes, we all know the these scriptures, but when you are going through major crisis it is very easy to forget them and wonder where is God in all of this.
This is especially true when you are waiting on God for healing and that does not manifest itself even though it has been months and even years waiting.
What else is there to do?
April 30th, 2008 at 6:19 am
hello everyone, praise the lord
i just want everyone to pray for me today i am going thru a bit of a time with this anxiety i’m really feeling bad today i have meds but they make me sleepy and i am at work, but i no god will bring me thru this.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I needed this devotion this morning, my best friend of twenty years lost her husband to cancer a year ago in March, they have three small children, and watching her go through all the pain of losing him has really been hard–but only a month or so ago she became ill and they have diagnosed her with scirosis of the liver. They say it was from bile in her galbladder that leaked into her liver…she also has lupus, Fibromyalgia, and has developed diabetes from the medication they are giving her for her liver….My heart is broken for her and I often say “Lord she has been through so much in the past year why does she have to suffer more?” I know God has a plan for her and he knows the outcome so please pray for her and her children and her family as they travel this difficult road ahead of them..
April 30th, 2008 at 6:42 am
hi everybody, its been a while since i commented though i’ve been reading.
i belive all is well with every body, because His grace is sufficient to see us through all difficulties
Its not been easy being a christian and lets be prepared to face the fact it will not be easy on our JOUNEY to heaven
we’re going to face a lot of difficult moments, but the most important thing is that the LORD is with us
He’ll never leave us nor forsake us
As i sit right here behind my desk, i must confess i’m going through a lot of difficulties, prayers that seem to have kept long to be answered,and a whole lot of unresolved issues.That not withstanding, i still know and believe that God is with me and that He’ll do that which He has said in my life.
It will only take time and patience, but God’s timing is always perfect.
weeping may endure in the night but His joy comes in the morning
i would like to encourage us that no matter what we go through, God will always be God.
i pray that GOD will grant us the grace to go through the problems we meet on our journey to heaven,and that these trials wiil help us develop a character fit for heaven. amen
April 30th, 2008 at 7:09 am
My heavenly Father continues to teach me that He is on the throne and all things are in His hands. Not many days go past that I am not reminded the truth of Romans 8:28. “In ALL things He is working together for good to those who love Him and the Called according to His purpose.” Many trials come that make me wonder how this hard thing could possible be for His purpose. But, that is in His hands.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:23 am
tHANK YOU lORD FOR yOUR GOODNESS TO ME AND THAT yOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME AND MY FELLOW PEOPLE WHO WRITE OUT THEIR PRYAERS, CONCERNS AND ANSWERS TO PRAYER. Prayer is very importatn to You oh Lord and that You WILL anser our prayers and concerns in Your TIME. I praye for the six people that respinded to this devotional and that You will minister to their needs. In Jesus Name Amen.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Wow! I definitely needed to hear the blogs of inspiration concerning “going through troubles.” Sometimes, it helps to just be reminded of our Savior’s faithfulness to his children to encourage you to be a more faithful servant to our heavenly Father and remain steadfast in His word. I pray that I and my fellow Christians will continue to be joyful in our hearts as we cast our cares on Him. May we all radiate with our Savior’s love, forgiveness, patience, grace and His host of other blessed qualities.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Dear Ladies It is with Great Sorrow that I have to tell You All That our Dear Friend & Sister In Christ Chris Thomas Passed Away April 26/08
But, “Praise The Lord” She Is Now In Heaven With Jesus In Her “New PAIN FREE Body”. Please Pray for Her family, loved ones and friends she has left behind. Her Memorial Service will be tomorrow at 2pm in London, Ontario.
God Bless You All, Love & Prayers, Linda
April 30th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Thank you Darren for such a timely devotional. People are
going through many hard battles in their life, some of them
feel like their is no hope, or help for them. We as believers know that hope is already come and is available
to all who will believe in him(Jesus). Thank God for his
word that is constance and sustaining in our lives. I trust
God with my life and with my family lives. Through the good
and bad times my life is in his hand, my family lives are in
his hand. Whom he hold in the hollow of his hand no man can
pluck out. Our names are engraved in the palm of his hand,
he can’t forget about us. Can a nursing mother forget about
her sucking baby? Then our heavenly Father can’t forget
about his children. Thank God for who he is, that he is God
and not somebody else. God is all wise, for he is the only
wise God! We wouldn’t think of using suffering to bring forth something good in us. For Rom.8:18 said, “I will con-
sider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us”. Oh! what great
unsurpassing glory that God has for us, all the suffering
we endure will not come close to the glory we will receive.
Angela, I pray that God your healer, your strenght, your
power, your saviour, your Lord, will manifest his peace and
strenght to you right now. Father in your son name, Jesus
we touch and agree that you word in Isa. 53:5, by Jesus
stripes Angela is healed. Father as she began to rest in you
putting all her trust in you, let calmness take over and
let anxiety leave her right now, thank you Lord. Father I also pray for Maia friend and family, comfort them like no-
body but you can, let them feel your love an presence. Father be their strenght and power everyday, supply every
need, manifest your healing power wherever it is needed, in
Jesus name. Now Lord we trust you with our lives and our
families lives, we know that we are in good hands. Thank
you for always being with us,especially in the difficult
times. Father we want to glorify you with our lives, let us
glorify you even in our suffering. We know that we was created to glorify you. Thank you Lord for having so much
patience with us as we journey home to you, Amen!!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Linda, thank you for sharing the sad news about Chris’s passing. We will all miss her…tho isn’t it wonderful to know Chris is running around Heaven in her new body.
Praise God! She ministered to all of us..what a blessing. Thank You Jesus, for putting Chris in our path for the time we had her. Minister all…who knew her well and we all loved her. May ther family and friends feel your loving arms around them as they grieve her passing. Give them peace in knowing she is Home now…..Thank You Jusus for loving us enough to have shared Chris with all of us.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I have made a decision to forgive all those who have wronged me in my life.I have became very good at holding grudges and I’m tired of being unhappy, so I made my decision to forgive because holding it was only seperating me from God.I have written everything that I have been holding a grudge for and who along with the date I had my conversation with God about forgiving and being forgiven. This is not easy for me by any means, but when my enemy tries to tell me I haven’t forgiven I have a date and written statement witnessed by God. My God is changing me daily, My feelings will catch up.I thought I had forgiven before but satan always made me feel guilty and I would wonder if I truly did or not. but this time is different I know That I have and God has forgiven me beyond any doubt.He is my strength and refuge while trying to live my life for him not me.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Wow what A blessing to have read this moning devotional I just know that God got my attention. Yes we as christains are going through many trails.We have a Savior who hears are cries.and He is faithful to bring us through.I myself are going through tough troubles. Please keep my familyand friend in prayer.I ask that youpray that God will open doors to find a peaceful place for me to live. I was really encourage to rad Tiysh ,Carter e-mails. May the Lord Blesseveryone who enter this website. Amen
April 30th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Lord be with Chris’s family and friends today as they say goodbye to her give them comfort and peace, and thank you for Chris and the time we all had with her while she shared on this site. I know she will be missed…
April 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Thanks for sharing about Chris’s passing Linda. What a day of rejoicing that must have been for Chris…to finally see Jesus face to face and know Him fully!
Father, we know that Chris is delighting in your presence today. But we ask that You would truly be the God of all Comfort for her family as they grieve their loss. Would you bring people into their lives that would be Jesus with skin on…to hold them, comfort them, encourage them and just love on them? Thank you that even though we can’t be there, You and Your people are. Amen.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Jackie, I just wanted to commend you on finally forgiving those that have caused you harm.Someone once said that when we don’t forgive, it is like eating Rat Poison and waiting for the Rat to die! Of course it never will, but we will……in the same way, forgiving these people will give you freedom in your life to truly experience all that God has intended for you! You Go Girl!
April 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Linda, thank you for telling us about chris homegoing, what
a glorious time she is having. Wow! how she must be rejoicing over no more sickness and pain. What a wonderful
new eternal life she will live with our Father. I will miss
her, like everyone who got to know her on this site. I pray
that her family is being comforted by the Lord.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
GOD HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH MANY TRIALS I HAVE HAD CANCER WITCH HE CURED ALMOST 14 YEARS AGO,BEEN THROUGH A HURTFUL DEVORICE,LOST AWONDERFUL SECOND HUSBAND, LOST MY MOTHER FATHER AND ONLY BROTHER TO CANCER I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT WON’T. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IF GOD WAS NOT WITH ME I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT
SHARON B
April 30th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I am saddened by the loss of Chris. Thank God we were able to minister to her. Remember, we are all real people with real problems. I need prayer about a situation at our church with a sister that has gotten upset over a lie. Satan is trying to really use this and I need it bathed in prayer. I covet your prayers.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Dear Heavenly Father I just bring Loreli to you tonight, You see & know all about this situation where a sister in Christ is upset with her and it is all a lie, Jesus I just pray right now that You would make the truth be made know to this lady that she would realize what she was told was untrue. Lord I pray for there to be healing, restoration and forgiveness between Loreli and this lady In Your Name I Pray & Praising You For Answered Pray. Amen! Hugs Linda!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
LORELI
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU ABOUT THE WOMAN WHO IS UPSET WITH YOU BECAUSE OF A LIE MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND LEAD HER TO THE TRUTH
SHARON B
April 30th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Loreli..am agreeing with LindaR and SharonB about your situation..Your caring heart and ways will overcome this attack..and our Lord will be with you and help open this lady’s eyes to the truth. We stand together rebuking the enemy in powerful name of our Lord JESUS! Romans 4:17 we will believe before we see..trusting Him at the sound of these prayers that healing already in motion..Thank you, dear Lord..
Praying for us all tonight about the earthen loss of our dear Chris, too. She ministered to us, too, and taught us about friendship and humility..Thank you, Lord, for sending her to us and letting us be blessed by her.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:04 am
Just learned today about precious Chris from my dear friend Fran. We never know when the Lord will call us home and must live each day as though it is our last, mostly by loving others as Christ did! Like Fran said… Chris taught us about friendship and humility. So glad the Lord allowed us to minister to each other over the past year. She was truly a blessing with her honesty and love for our Lord. She will be missed!!
May 1st, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hello Ladies, it has been awhile since I have been able to get to the computer. I join the other ladies in prayer over untruths being spread and believed. The truth will be revealed in God’s set time. I believe when these things happen to us it is an attack and we need to learn from it. I am too. saddened by Chris’s passing and a part of me rejoices too. Because I would actually feel the pain in her words over the computer. The Lord only puts on us more than what we can bear and He said, “That’s enough my daughter”, “come on home and be with me”.
This is why we should be very mindful of what we share and how we communicate to one another. We really don’t the state one is in. I really appreciate all the ministering and sharing Chris did. Hello Fran, all is going well in the ministry and I now feel real good I accepted God’s will in my life during this great hour of our lives.
One young lady said what do I do when all that I have prayed about haven’t been answered. You keep standing and believing that God is the Captain of your life and he has all things under control. God is a God of time and it is so true he will never leave you or forsake you. If he hasn’t healed; it isn’t because he can’t. It is for a reason and time will reveal it all. Just continue to read the word of God and continue to believe the report of the Lord. God bless all of you ladies and continue to pray for us as we do the will of the Lord.Hello Fran, how are you? God bless you all.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hello Ann Davis!!!
It was a special JOY to open the computer today after yesterday’s sad earthen news.. and find your wisdom here!! Have thought of you many times and lifted you and loved your words of blessing here today..When HE is at the helm of our daily battles.. it makes all the difference in this world. Love that beautiful Poem “Oh Captain, My Captain”..And you wisdom just illustrated it. Praying your special ministry being blessed in all ways and provision of every kind coming to help you with it, too!.. am so grateful for our times shared here..and prayers UP always! We are in His Presence and reminding ourselves daily to put our trust in Him and stand on Psalm 46:10. Sometimes, just as you wisely wrote above. He does say “wait”! Bless you, dear Ann. He is with you there in an appointed Journey you’ve accepted from Him, and I have a little pass it along card here at the computer that makes me think of your tremendous faith ..”Where He Guides He Will Provide”..I know the daily tasks must be daunting, at times, but He has a gifted daughter and handmaiden there in Las Vegas that He can entrust this to!! So grateful for your example!! (((((((Ann Davis)))))))
May 1st, 2008 at 10:08 am
I’ve missed Chris T. on the blog recently and I feel a sense of loss knowing she will not be back. We do celebrate her move to Heaven and are grateful for the insight and inspiration she gave us.
I appreciate all of you who post here and provide a place where love and acceptance are modeled. It’s great to share the journey together as we grow in our friendship with God.
Blessings to you.
Warmly,
Gail Rodgers
May 1st, 2008 at 10:19 am
Fran, it has been your many building and uplifting words that have allowed me to get through many of the obstacles we have endured. The key is if God be for us who can be against us. Thank you so much for your love and concern that I feel from you.
This has been the most painful transition ever in my life to leave a Ministry of peple you loved and one that you worked so hard in. That when you leave you are so quickly forgotten. WOW! WOW! WOW! That was painful. God is soooo AWESOME. He allowed me to go through the pain and in his due time he said, Okay, “that is enough”. “Let’s get to work, people are dying and this isn’t about you”. The Lord then begin to speak to my heart and say, “I have put you in a box to save your life, because everyone was not in agreement with this transition.The box kept you safe as the Soothsayers talked against you. These burdens and worries you couldn’t bring with you. I told you to, “come out of the village and don’t look back”. I have left the top off of the box that you actually feel you are in, for you to lift your eyes up to the hills from whence cometh your help. I am with you through this process. Just TRUST ME.
Fran, I thank God for being God because he knows what is best for me and I don’t question him. I love you and maybe one day I will have the privilege of meeting such a wonderful lady. Until that happens, if the Lord allows that to happen I am commission to pray God’s strength and annoiting to continue in your life. There is much hope and life on this web for those who would embrace it. It has really been a comfort, a help, a guide, and an encourager for me. God bless all of you ladies.So when you feel like your boxed int, maybe you are. Remember to look up and see The Lord working everything out for you. Have a blessed and healthy journey in Christ until I am able to write again. In Him, Ann
May 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am
Dear Ann Davis…
Am so humbeled by your words …and thank you for visiting here today..Many of the new people here will be so blessed by your words of wisdom! You are one of His Warriors! Hope we do get to meet one day..either here or there!!! Believing along with you in powerful Romans 8:31, too, so many of us going through challenges, but if HE is for us who can be against us. Romans 8:35-39 continue to help, too! We will never be separated from HIS Love and with His daily help will be “more than conquerors”. Amen!! Bless you, Dear Ann!!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:38 am
The words and prayers this week have so blessd my soul. The Lord does indeed know what we need and when we need it. Thank you, Ann D. for your words spoke straight to my heart. Often I have felt “boxed in” and knowing that God had done it for my safety was something I’d never considered. Thankfully, He left the top open so I could look up to where my help comes from.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
[...] Encouragement for Today, Going Through Trouble: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/devotionalforwomen/2008/04/30/goingthroughtrouble/#comments Christianity.com, Where Does Your Help Come From: [...]
May 6th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Jackie, praise God for your decision to forgive! I went through a “trial by fire” a few years ago and found myself in the unwanted position of having to forgive. It was a difficult process, but God was so faithful in not only walking through it with me, but also being insistant that I do so. In retrospect, I have now come to see my situation as multifaceted: Although God allowed me to go through a season of trial and testing in order to refine and redefine me, He also used my circumstances to refine and redefine those who had harmed me. From that prospective, I was able to see them as He intended - like me, flawed, but still loved by Him. And also like me, He’s still working on them, too. I’m proud of you!
May 6th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Sheila & deebee;
Thank you, I had to carry a card in my pocket with the date and remind myself. but you know one of those people called me yesterday I felt no anger, I did however feel really sorry for her, actually my heart broke I never seen how unhappy this person was before. how horrible that would be to have to carry that misery all the time. I quickly starting praying that God would bless her life and lead her in the direction that would give her peace and happiness.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
You Go Girl Jackie!! I am praising the Lord with you for the freedom that you have found in forgiveness.