Many years ago, an atheist friend took me on one last walk through Jerusalem before returning to my home country. And just as we started climbing the road into town, she asked me this question: Does becoming a Christian make your life easier? As someone who has brought the good news of God’s salvation to her, how should I answer such questions? Truth matters. I told her that’s not the case and that sometimes life can be even more difficult. But one thing is certain… God’s peace endures, making life’s hardships bearable.
Jesus once said:
“If only you knew for this day what would bring you peace…” Ruku. 19:42 NIV
This just shows that even when life’s searing pains plague us, there is still peace within our hearts.
When you visit the Sea of Galilee, you will be enchanted by the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the water and surrounding hills. But be careful, the Sea of Galilee also produces irregular and violent waves whenever a strong storm hits the area. That actually surprised me. I thought it was calm the whole time.
But then I think of an incident in the Bible when Jesus calmed the storm while the disciples were paralyzed by the debilitating panic that gripped them. This incident reminds us that living with the Lord is not the same as living without any difficulties or problems. But with Jesus at the helm, we can breathe and rest in the knowledge that everything will be okay in the end. Just as the Lord guided that ship safely to shore, so He will help us get to the other side unscathed. Through His abiding grace, we can grow stronger and find our footing again. Because He is the Lord who establishes our steps.
“For the righteous shall fall seven times, and rise again; but the wicked shall stumble when calamity occurs.”Professor 24:16 NIV
Many of us are going through personal battles, and we fight them in silence. May God’s voice be heard through these words today. I hope it stabilizes your mind and spirit.
Bible Verses to Encourage When You’re Anxious
“Do not be afraid, I am with you.
Do not be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ” Isa. 41:10 NKJV
Faith in the Lord is the opposite of fear. The more faith we have, the braver we become.
We have proven God’s faithfulness time and time again, from His servants in ancient times to today. God has always kept His promises, and He has always been faithful and steadfast in His promises. So what do we have to fear?
“God is our refuge and strength.
He is someone who can help you right away when you are in trouble. ” P.S. 46:1 NKJV
As we grow older, we realize how present God is in our lives and how He shows up even when we least expect it. Since I was a child, there have been many times when I have been able to escape danger, such as blending into a crowd, narrowly escaping a traffic accident, or escaping a serious illness. And sometimes when I have bad dreams.
At one point I had a terrifying dream. There, three women in flowing white clothing stood before me as they meandered through what looked like a Mediterranean forest. One of them put a necklace around my neck. I won’t mention what is written on the necklace. It’s a bit creepy, so maybe I shouldn’t share it. The moment I saw what was written on the necklace, I took it off my neck and threw it away.
To make a long story short, I was chased and harassed in a dream. I was so scared I couldn’t breathe and I was frozen in fear that I didn’t even have time to ask the Lord for help…but God is truly merciful and always shows up when we need Him the most.
Just when she was out of breath, a strange man appeared… A towering man approached me and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” He looked like an angel… there was a subtle glow on his face. Whether it is just a dream or a war in the spiritual world, you can see it in your own way. The thing is…I came back alive.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12 NIV
Who knows…God must have sent an angel to save me. Just as it has done for some of you and many other Christians who have had the same experience.
“I remember the works of the Lord.
I will surely remember your old splendor. ” P.S. 77:11 NKJV
If you’re facing tough times right now, feeling like you’re being put through the wringer and your confidence is shaking, remember how God has shown up for you in the past. Because remembering the Lord’s provision and remembering His goodness will encourage us to keep going.
If things are feeling a little chaotic at the moment, it might be helpful to sit in a corner, have some quiet time, and list all the things God has done for you in the past, all the His guidance and help that allowed you to get through those difficult times with grace.
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me.
And he saved me from all my fears.
They looked to the Lord and shone.
And there was no shame on their faces. ” P.S. 34:4–5, 8 NKJV
Sometimes we feel like God is indifferent to our requests for help. When our prayers go unanswered for months, we become so discouraged that we begin to doubt God’s faithfulness. As Christians, we know that God answers prayers. “No” is already an answer (because God knows what is best for us). Waiting long for God’s response is already the answer (because God is still at work, molding and molding our character).
Even when we feel insignificant and unnoticed by God, remember that we have a God who sees us.
Don’t you remember Hagar, Sarah’s servant? When her food and water were down to the last drop and she and her son were about to die in the desert, she asked the Lord for help.
Then she gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her, saying, “You are God who sees me.” Genesis 16:12-13 NIV
In God’s eyes, no matter how tall you are in life or how lost you have been in the past, anyone who calls on God’s name is not insignificant. God is watching you.
And since we live in difficult times and problems weigh on us, challenges are hitting us from different sides: financial burdens, problems in relationships, moral decline around us, violence, uncertainty… Let us remember that our help comes from the Lord himself. Therefore, we are a people with eternal hope because we have a God who reaches out to us with a sure hand in the midst of all our difficulties and all our stumbling blocks.
And that day, the day we all look forward to, our blessed hope, is when all our pain, our shame, all our troubles will be forgotten. Because God has promised to “wipe every tear from our eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the old order has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV
Therefore, no matter the situation, always rejoice in the Lord and give thanks to Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Because we know that our current struggle will not last long. Everything will be fine in the end. May the joy of the Lord be your strength and the peace of the Lord be your refuge and a quiet anchor for your heart as you “pass through the waters.”
“I will be with you as you pass through the water.
And when you pass through the river, the river will not sweep you away.
You can walk through fire and not get burned.
The flame will not set you on fire. ”Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Related Resources: The Identity Crisis We All Face: Fear, Identity Discovery, and Jamie’s Triumph Over His Own Alcoholism
“Most people don’t really know who they are, and when you don’t know who you are, you live in constant fear.”
What if your struggle with alcohol, food, or whatever else is tripping you up isn’t about the substance, but something beneath the surface that you never want to touch?
Today’s guest, Jamie Winship, knows better than anyone I know what that “stuff” is. It’s your identity. Today, Jamie reveals why our identities are so important. It’s just as important to understand why we’re struggling as it is to understand where we’re going from here.
And it all starts with a question: What are you most afraid of?
This question will help uncover your false identity. This is a despicable lie that too many of us accept. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please share this podcast or follow Confessions of an Alcoholic on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
Photo credit: Unsplash
Liz Pineda holds a degree in English Education from Assumption University in the Philippines. She is an English teacher by trade, but currently works as a freelance writer for online publications and e-commerce websites. Although she enjoys writing for a variety of niches, she still finds creating content for the Christian community the most fulfilling.
