Are you facing a difficult time right now?
Maybe your finances are strained, and you don’t know how you’re going to pay bills this month. Maybe your marriage or relationship is falling apart, and it seems hopeless to try to save it. Maybe you feel unfulfilled in your career, or you’re facing a move across the country that will change everything. You might be struggling to get through the day without something you depend on, like alcohol or pills. Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about facing life’s challenges? If you’re trying to make sense of what’s happening to you right now, the best place to start is in God’s Word. Let’s take a look at a few of the things God wants you to know about difficult times.
There are many passages throughout the Bible that offer hope, comfort and direction during tough times. Reading your whole Bible is necessary to get a full perspective. But reading and studying the entire Bible is a lifelong process. If today is a really hard day, here are a few passages that might be a good starting point for you!
What God Says About Difficult Times in Ecclesiastes 7:10
Ecclesiastes 7:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon struggles with deep, philosophical questions. Philosophers have been wrestling with some basic questions for thousands of years, and the struggle continues today. One of these questions is, “what is the meaning of life?”
Over time, thinkers have offered different answers to this question. Some say that life is all about pleasure, art, or learning. Others say life is all about thinking for yourself or doing really memorable actions before you die.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon examines many of these perspectives and finds them lacking. Without Christ, life is pretty meaningless, and many of our deepest questions go unanswered.
Solomon was an extremely wise man, and he warns us against questioning that doesn’t lead anywhere and probes into areas that only God can know. In Ecclesiastes 7:10, he advises us not to ask this question: “why was the past better for me than today?”
If you’re going through hard times, you might be looking back on better days and trying to puzzle out what went wrong. Maybe it’s clear that you made a bad decision and things went downhill from there. But sometimes, it’s not so clear. The answer to “why” can be complex and tangled, and only God really knows for sure. Trusting God’s sovereignty and wisdom is an important step in finding peace when things are going wrong.
What God Says About Difficult Times in Romans 8:18
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8 is full of reassuring, comforting truths for Christians. Paul explains that God is our Father, and that Christ offers us a life free from condemnation. In Romans 8:18, Paul addresses our suffering here on earth. This can include suffering we endure because of our faith. Christians are called to share in the sufferings of Christ, so we can expect some negative consequences of our faith here on earth. Or, it could be the ups and downs of life that everyone faces, whether they’re a Christian or not.
Paul says that whatever we’re facing on earth, it can never compare with the glory of our future with Christ. As Christians, we’ll live forever with Jesus, and we’ll experience things we can’t even imagine today. No matter how severe our current suffering might be, it will end someday.
Sometimes this passage is misunderstood, and this can cause believers to struggle. Paul isn’t saying that our suffering doesn’t matter. The purpose of this verse isn’t to downplay the reality of our pain, but to remind us that we have hope for the future. It is not ungodly to suffer, and we don’t need to pretend that our problems don’t really hurt. The promise of a better future doesn’t make our suffering go away, but it does make it more bearable.
What God Says About Difficult Times in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul writes to the Corinthian church about how to handle suffering. Verse 3 calls God a God of compassion and comfort. Verse 4 says that God comforts believers. He not only gives them help for their own struggles, but he also gives them plenty to share with other believers, too.
How exactly does God provide comfort to His people? This can take many forms in everyday life. The Bible is full of comforting truths that we can turn to, and God has provided you with access to Bibles you can read anytime. God also provides a spiritual community, including a local church, where you can find love and support when life is hard.
God also provides us with access to the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. When a comforting verse, thought, song, or memory comes to your mind when you need it most, the Spirit may be helping to direct your thoughts.
God might also give us other sources of comfort. If you take some time to meditate on God’s provision in your life, you may be able to identify additional resources He has given. Maybe you have a friend who could relate to what you’re going through. You might have a loving family member who would listen and support you if you give them a call. Or there may be a book, podcast or video that could point you to the biblical truths you need right now.
After God has comforted you, it’s up to you to share that comfort with other believers. When you find something that really helps–from a verse to a song or a comforting thought about God–don’t forget to pass it along to others when they need it. You may be part of what God has provided to help get them through tough times!
Facing Difficult Times?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, church is a wonderful place to be. At Harmony Baptist Church in Galesburg, IL, we come together as a church family when things get tough. If you would like to talk to someone, reach out to us. Our ‘Contact‘ page has everything you need to get in touch.
