5 Tips For Loving God Even When Life Is Hard

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5 Tips For Loving God Even When Life Is Hard

Don’t ask “why me”, ask “why not me”

Maybe you’ve found yourself asking “why me” when life feels hard. Me too.  When we feel crushed under the weight of our problems, we can’t help but think life is unfair, and maybe God is even unfair since He’s allowing such adversity in our life. But John 16:33 says, “ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  When I read this verse recently, I was drawn back to the word “all”.  We could assume Jesus meant “all this”, to refer to “all this instruction I’ve told you”. Or we could interpret it to mean, He told us ALL that we would have troubles, which we do.

But at times we might still wonder why others aren’t taxed with the same troubles we are, and life doesn’t seem fair. At all. But the fact that we ALL have difficult circumstances, doesn’t that actually make life fair?  You see, God doesn’t pick favorites, and it wouldn’t be fair for some people to have trouble and others have none.So actually, shouldn’t we consider “why not me?” instead? When we are struggling, it helps to remember God is always with us. All of us, and we all get an equal share of His love and devotion as we take one day at a time in His strength. 

Count your blessings. 

I mentioned in today’s Proverbs 31 Devotion, I Still Love You Lord, that a personal circumstance in my life has made life difficult recently. Sometimes the hurt seems too deep to handle and my fears threaten to paralyze me and steal my hope. But recently I started keeping up with daily little blessings God was giving me, and it helps to boost my spirits throughout each day.

For example, I flew out to an event in Ohio last weekend and was hesitant to go with a heavy heart. I was running late to the airport and felt a little panicked, but the traffic was unusually light, then the flight was delayed 30 minutes, so I could relax. I got a parking spot right in front of the elevator in the airport parking deck (never happens!). Multiple friends and family members texted me with encouragement and kind words which lifted my spirits and I felt so blessed with all the people in mylife. Nobody sat me beside me on the plane so I had lots of room to spread out. Just a few little blessings, but ones I that brought joy and peace to my heart, knowing God was looking over me that day. I could have easily overlooked them, but a blessed heart is a happy heart.  When we count our blessings in the face of hardship, we might soon realize the blessings far outweigh our troubles.

Don’t let your fears overtake you. 

My name is Tracie, and I am a worrier. I can’t help it. It’s a problem. I try not to, but I do. I love the Lord and trust Him, but my mind still gets lost in fears from time to time. When I can’t control a situation, I tend to think of all the worst case scenarios that could happen, and then my fears start growing like a thick vine strangling the life out of a fencepost.  Psalm 23:4 says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Such a sweet verse to tuck into our hearts when we are feeling afraid of  the unknown. The truth is … the “unknown” is probably not near as scary as we think it might be.

Commit to be positive, even when everything seems negative. 

It takes as much energy to be negative as it does to be positive, so why not put our energy into something that will bring joy into our life instead of discouragement and pessimism? Oh friend, this is one tip I need to put into practice into my own life right now. Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time being negative and obsessing over hurt and fears, and I’m ready to start enjoying life and being happy again. What about you? Just typing these words actually brings a smile to my face. God has such a sense of humor.

Memorize verses that bring comfort and hope.

There are so many verses to seep comfort and hope into our hearts during hard times that I couldn’t begin to write them all down for you. So I encourage you, if you are facing a difficult situation right now, to ask God to lead you to verses that you can tuck into your heart. But I will tell you my favorite two, and they may already be your favorites as well:

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I can’t change my circumstances, and God may not change them right away either. But what I can do is stop obsessing over what I can’t change and start focusing on what I can. I can change my heart. I can surrender my fears. I can trust God has a plan that I can’t possibly see right now – a good plan to give me a good future. I can believe He has a purpose for the things that happen in life, and that somehow He will use it for good. I can ask for God’s peace, instead of letting stress become toxic in my life. I can ask for Him to let me feel His Presence so I know I’m not alone. I can ask for spiritual eyes to see when He is blessing me in little and big ways. I can ask for a thankful heart.

Once you begin making these 5 tips a part of your every day life, I pray you will be able to soon say these 5 important words God is longing to hear: “I still love you Lord”. When those words leave your lips, God will smile, and so will you.

Loving God in the hard times is not always easy,

but it is always worth the effort.  

 

18 Comments

  1. Sakeenah Evans on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 6:52 am

    This message truly blessed me this morning. I had gone though a very difficult time in my life involving a very unexpected and hurtful church situation. This left me feeling lost and confused about God’s love for me. Your words were truly encouraging. Thank you



    • Whitney on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      I could have written this comment word for word! So comforting to know I’m not alone in my situations. These words in this post were like a salve to my soul.



  2. Nancy M in NJ on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 6:57 am

    Thank you, Tracie for this post. I also am a worrier, and often in my own head, spiraling negative thoughts out of control. I do better when I jot down in small notebook all the good little things (that would go unnoticed if I didn’t write them down!) that happen during the day. Blessings to you.



  3. Audrey on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 7:04 am

    I awakened this morning not wanting to get out of bed feeling all alone and unloved. Asking God ‘why me, why my sons’. Life’s difficulties seemed to have beaten me down and feeling like I can’t and don’t want to go on.
    Thank you Tracie. Your message is helping me to refocus on God and his love for me.



  4. Jane on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 9:25 am

    This message was PERFECT for today…just what God wanted me to hear “for such a time as this” Thanks



  5. Shannon on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Thank you Tracie….Such a needed refocus for me!
    God always seems to send the perfect message for me each morning to keep me focusing on HIS love for me which is never changing despite my circumstances!
    Stop Obsessing over what I can’t change and start focusing on what I can!
    Its not going to be easy, but it will be worth the effort!



  6. Belinda Redcross on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 9:36 am

    Thank you for this. I am a worrier too. Right now I know my daughter is going thru something and will not share it with me. I know she doesn’t want to cause me anymore stress. I am asking God to give me the strength not to question her. Pray for me.



  7. Beth on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Tracie, My Mom just had to have her hip replaced and she is now in rehab. Our daughter and her husband live 2 hours away from us . She is our only child. I am also a only child .Erin is pregnant and due to have twins on April 18th just three days before their son’s 2nd birthday. I want to be around to help her but ,I have to be here for Mom. She maybe in rehab 2 to 3 weeks and then she will need to come to our house for a couple of weeks as it is more handicap friendly. I feel as though I am all alone with all this stress even though, I have a wonderful husband who helps a great deal. He is stressed too! He has a very stressful job.
    Being an only child stinks and all those relatives who said they will help never seem to show their faces! I don’t want Mom to feel she is a burden ! She is pushing herself hard in therapy at the young age of 82!
    Now this week one of my friends of 30 years is dying! She and I both have MS. She is several years older than ,I am and has the progressive type. She has always
    been a a real support for me with her upbeat spirit and constant concern for my health when , she was the one in worse condition . Oh,to top all this off I have a sever case of bronchitis now and have to limit going around Mom or my friend who is dying! I am on18 pills a day and have to wear a stupid mask to be out in public. I have so much I need to be doing to get ready for Mom to come home here and later to her house.The problem is I have little strength to get it all done!
    I feel as though God is not hearing my cries for help! I know in my mind He will be there for me always and He will not leave me alone. Yet,through all this the devil is trying to make me doubt God at every turn!!



    • Eva on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      Dear Beth,
      (((((((((((((((((((((((((Beth)))))))))))))))))))

      You certainly have a lot to cope with right now. Bless you for wanting to help your Mom as well as your daughter and her growing family in spite of your own physical limitations. Three under two – yikes.
      I pray that God will nudge some others to help and that they will obey!
      Don’t listen to the evil one who wants you to doubt God’s goodness.
      Eva



  8. Kristi on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    I stumbled on this message today and am so very glad that I did. My walk with God is new but growing each and every day. I have had times when I feel as if he abandoned me but I am learning that isn’t the case . This message will definitely help me to stay focused and understand God during troubled times and remind me to always seek his blessing no matter how small. I will say that one blessing that I can count for today is finding your blog! 🙂



  9. John on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Mrs. Miles,
    Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and inspiration. I am a man and got this through Christianity . com. Even men need to hear what you said. It spoke volumes to this man’s heart. We all go thru hard times and question what God is doing in our lives , I have had my share, but like you said sometimes we even question His existence.
    If I may leave one further thought that tough times have taught me is: We walk by Faith not by sight, and hold on to the word, The Bible, ” You have magnified You word above your Name”, (Ps 118?) (easier said then done). Thank you again please don’t stop what you are doing you never know who you help!



  10. Sabrina Dubberly on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    I so appreciate your vulnerability and honesty with this today. Been struggling with finances and my husband’s business since August. But determined that we will speak truth. God knows our circumstances and God love us.



  11. Mary on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Your description of feeling alone and how life was unfair could have bee taken from the journal entry I just finished. Sometimes God’s answers to prayer are so quick it’s overwhelming! I knew He was answering through you the moment I got to one of y our favorite verses – Jeremiah 29:11. That verse is on the cover of the journal I just finished writing in! I also write what I hear from God after writing my reflection an prayer. The answer that I heard was”Read Phil 4:4-8.
    “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.e
    7
    Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
    8
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.*

    Sort of reminds me of your count/notice your blessings” advice.
    He also said,”Look on ‘the bright side’ , it’s where might shines next to you. Bask in its warmth and love.”

    We are truly blessed to have such a Lord!



  12. Mary on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    oops I meant light not might – though that applies as well.



  13. Jennifer A on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:14 am

    Thanks for this although it’s tough to take it all in. I miscarried a few days ago and we are devastated. I would appreciate prayers for myself and my husband. I’m feeling like our hope of one more in the family is vanishing since I’m 40. Please continue to write on how to keep going- I need it and am sure many others do too.



  14. Brenda on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:30 am

    Thanks for this wonderful post. I will remember to do these things when I feel really discouraged. I think they’ll be a big help. I know my family would appreciate it if I worked harder at staying positive.



  15. Amy on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 9:07 am

    this was a perfect read for me with everything going on on my world right now… thank you



  16. Melissa on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you….. this is a message I need today. God bless you.



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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