As Christians we often have difficulty going through hard situations. It seems that we signed up for a Gospel that gives us love, joy, peace, etc. but not one where we will have tribulation in this world (John 16:33) The Good News is that often in the difficult situations is when God speaks clearly to us.

God never said that our life would be easy. As we live on earth we will have difficulties, trials and tests. They’re all a part of life. When we became Christians, this didn’t mean that we would escape the world, it just meant that God will help us during our difficult circumstances.

People throughout the Bible went through hard times. They faced difficulties and times when they wanted to give up. It’s normal for us to have these feelings, but we shouldn’t allow them to live in our lives. Don’t let depression or discouragement grab hold of you. When God speaks into your situation, His Word will bring the change you need.

Be Joyful in Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

James understood that trials are a part of life. Too often, we let hard times discourage us. Instead of looking at how God’s working in us, we see the difficulty and forget to look to God. We know that He’s in control. However, we don’t want to recognize that He is there during the circumstance.

This portion of Scripture says that we should, “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (v.2) James knew this wasn’t an easy thing to do. It’s not something that comes naturally. We want to complain and plead our rights. We don’t want to humble ourselves and trust in God’s working in our lives.

James goes on to say, “the testing of your faith produces patience.” We need to be tested and tried to have patience. If we don’t have patience then neither will we have the other things James lists: perfect, complete, lacking nothing. Of course, we all want the items on this list.

Who doesn’t want to be perfect, complete and lacking nothing? We all want these things in our lives. This is what we signed up for. Jesus came into our hearts, so we want to be perfect, complete and lack nothing. However, this isn’t the case. We need to go through trials so that they can produce patience in us.

The way to successfully go through trials is to be joyful during the difficulties. It’s to rejoice when you’re facing trials and you don’t know what else to do. God’s with you and He’s working in you during these times. He has never left you and He’ll never forsake you! He’s with you for the long haul!

God Speaks When Life’s Hard

God spoke to men & women of God when they were in difficulties. At times, when not everything looked good around them, they heard the voice of God. He was always ready and available to speak into their situation. We could look at so many people in the Bible that God spoke to in difficult times.

Noah – God spoke to him during a very dark spiritual time. He was the only righteous man found on the earth. Genesis 6-9

Abram – His father had just died before God began to speak with him and give him the promise. Genesis 12

Hagar – As she was running from her master. She was hiding in the desert. God speaks, and she names God. (The God who sees) Genesis 21

Moses – God often spoke to Moses while he was in the wilderness.

If you are going through a difficult time, you’re in good company. Many people faced difficult situations, but it was at this moment that God would speak into their situations. He would breathe life into them and they could move forward.

In Depression: God Speaks

 Even Elijah the powerful prophet of God went through a time of discouragement and depression. He even had suicidal thoughts! He had seen so many victories but there was a time when he became discouraged. Leaders will see these seasons as well, but it’s important that we don’t stay in them.

But he himself [Elijah] went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”  Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.  And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”  So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:4-8

Elijah prayed that he might die. He was as depressed as you can get. It was then that God showed up and spoke to Elijah. He was strengthened, and God did a great thing in his life. The food sustained him for forty days.

Let God’s joy fill your life today. Whatever your situation may be, know that God is ready to speak to you. Allow God to help you see your circumstances differently. One Word from God can change your life forever! Hearing God’s voice can free you from depression, anxiety and any other negative influence.

Listen for God’s voice today! He wants to strengthen you!