by Alena Isami

Created on: February 17, 2010

People often mistake human will for faith.  They think that God expects them to stand strong in the midst of trial apart from Him.  What they fail to see is that challenges and hard times are the very times that He wants us to see how strong He is.  He wants to cultivate a dependence upon His Spirit and His Word; not our own ability to handle situations.

Problems are never easy to deal with, but the perfecting of your Christian life is really what’s at stake – creating a more faith-filled you, connecting your spirit more with His, and gaining deeper insight to what the Word is all about is the real benefit of challenges.  Here’s how to keep your faith in hard times.

1)  Never let go of God

The temptation to do your own thing is very real but when all is said and done, will you be happy with the outcome?  Joseph was a prime example of someone who had to endure hard times.  He was sold into slavery by his family.  He was falsely accused and jailed after experiencing some measure of success, but in the end, he became the ruler of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself.  You could say that Joseph had every opportunity to let go of God, but he didn’t.

2)  Remind Yourself of His Promises

God’s Word is truth and once He has said something, it doesn’t return void and of no effect.  (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)  What promises has He shown you?  What promises are available for every Christian?  He promises that His Word is strength to your bones and health to your flesh. (Proverbs 3:7-9 NKJV)  He promises that when you go through hard times, He is with you and the waters will not overwhelm you nor will the fires burn you.  (Isaiah 43:2 AMP)  He promises His forgiveness for everything you are willing to admit.  (I John 1:9 AMP)

3)  Remind Yourself of Who He is

God is El Shaddai, the God of All.  He is our Healer, our Conqueror, and our Protector no matter what situation we may face.  God is the One who can turn things around.  He is the One who sent plagues upon the Egyptians and made a way of escape for the Israelites through the Red Sea.  He is the one who brought the walls down around Jericho and turned a simple jar of oil into a life time of provision for a widow and her two sons.  He is the One who brought us Jesus who performed miraculous signs and wonders and He is the One who brings us Pastors and leaders today who continue to bring us the Word of God.

4)  Remind Yourself of Why You’re Here

Everyone has a plan and a purpose to fulfill.  There’s the basic purpose that every Christian has which is to win souls and make disciples, but there are also those who have a special call on their lives.  You were chosen for such a time as this.  You were chosen as His special people, (Deuteronomy 7:6 NKJV) out of all the people on the earth.  “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)  If you’ve been in prayer, you know what that purpose is even if all you saw was just a glimpse.

Keeping your faith in hard times is never easy, but those who keep seeking God find themselves in a better place spiritually, emotionally, and physically than if they were to just give up.  Eventually, even the severest of challenges pass because God’s glory ultimately overrules.

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