Have you ever said:
- Why has God allowed these bad things to happen to me?
- What have I done to deserve this?
- Why hasn’t God helped me out of this?
- Does God even care?
Perhaps you’ve never asked any of these, but many of us have gone through a difficult time and have had our own questions. We may not have received the answers we wanted when we wanted them. But what we have learned is that we are not in control – God is. The one thing we can control is our response to the difficulties of life.
I’ve had my share of challenges and expectations that you have as well. As long as we live here on earth, we will have challenges. (John 16:33) When facing a difficult time, the best attitude to have is one of:
Praise
Satan wants you discouraged, defeated, and disappointed. You can not let him convince you of something that is not true. The truth of the matter is that you belong to the one true and living God. He holds you in the palm of His hand and no one and nothing can snatch you out. (John 10:28) Praise will encourage you to continue trusting in faith that God will do what He says He will do.
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15
Prayer
The biggest weapon in our arsenal when it comes to dealing with the difficulties of life is prayer. Prayer helps us to look to God for solutions and to have the strength to hold on while He is working.
. . .pray without ceasing. . . (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. . . (James 5:15)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
As you focus on praise and prayer, God changes you. He will make you into a woman He can use. If you find yourself in a similar place as David in Psalm 6:6, make a shift in your thinking. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. Psalm 6:6 (NIV)
