KEEPING FAITH DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
Faith is something that we all have inside us. When you face different situations in life, the peace, and stability you have depend upon the amount of faith you have. It sustains life and leads one through difficult times. Contrary to popular thinking, faith does not contradict logic. It brings out hidden courage and potential in more ways than one. Realizing this is sufficient to move ahead in life.
The Bible explained the meaning of faith in the book of Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If you lack faith and events frighten you, you drift away, lost and anchorless. Faith helps you find solid ground. When passing through difficult times, we need to renew our faith. During such a time, invoke the courage in you and tackle the challenge confidently.
HOW TO KEEP FAITH DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
· Examine Your Heart
When you are experiencing difficulties, the first place to deal with the issues is with yourself. Your attitude in challenging times could determine the outcome. While you might not be able to change your circumstances, you can undoubtedly cooperate with God to change you.
The place to start in this journey of self-examination and growth is your heart. The wise King Solomon instructs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). The verse implies that everything starts with your heart, and as such, you need to pay careful attention to what is in it.
Your life will go in the direction that your heart is set. You might need to ask yourself these questions. Am I carrying offense and resentment in my heart? Is my heart truly set on the things of God more than that of the world? After a time of careful reflections, confess areas of your life where you are off track, tell God you want Him to guide your life from today. You want to move forward with a heart open to change and responsive to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
· Meditate On God’s Word
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8, NIV).
The context of the verse indicates that Moses was dead, and his assistant Joshua was facing the enormous task of assuming the leadership to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua knew it was difficult from Moses’ experiences with the Israelites. But Joshua was not alone; he had God’s assurance that he would be with him and would direct his path.
In your situation, God is giving you the exact instructions. Take time to meditate on his Word, especially his promises regarding your circumstances. Find God’s promises that speak to your situation and say them back to yourself day and night.
· Pray With Faith
Prayer, first of all, is communication with God, where you fellowship and build a relationship with him. In this relationship, God encourages us to ask for the things we need. Andrew Murray, nineteenth-century pastor, defines prayer as a way of drawing God’s blessings on the people around us and us.
When you ask God in faith to meet specific needs in your situation, there is no need to keep asking for the same thing. But move to thank God that he heard and answered your prayer.
· Renew Your Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
Psychologists tell us that our thinking influences how we feel and behave. The verse instructs you to renew your mind in line with this idea. Your mindset could cause your life to be out of line with God’s perfect will for you.
As you face challenging circumstances, you could find that you become very focused on them. Then this frustrating set of events could begin your shape your thinking. The result might be thought patterns that are not congruent with God’s Word.
· Build Up Your Faith in God
What about you and the situation you face? You might have prayed and made specific requests regarding the situation. Maybe you do not see any change, and you feel that God is not willing to answer your prayer and bring you the relief you need.
Can you believe that God wants to intervene? Then decide to believe that God’s promise is true, for “everything is possible for one who believes.” Then reflect on the following verse:
“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead” (Hebrews 11: 1, TLB).
Express the confidence of faith by boldly declaring specific promises related to your situation. As you do, you will find that you have a feeling of peace that God is at work in the situation, even though you might not see any outward change yet.
· Nurture Your Spirit, Soul, and Body
As you pass through adverse circumstances, especially prolonged periods, your spirit, soul, and body can be affected. When you pursue life balance, you nurture all aspects of your life, including the spiritual, social, emotional, and physical domains. They are all interrelated. So take steps to take care of your physical health, including good nutrition and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Socially, building strong connections is essential. Promote healthy, nurturing relationships with your family and in your church. Why not join a small group ministry in your church? Here, you can connect, grow in your faith, and experience a sense of belonging. You also get opportunities to reach out to others.
Nurture your emotional well-being by reducing your stress levels. An important way to start is to respond to your Father’s invitation to cast all your anxieties and worries upon him, for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Change your self-talk (internal conversations) to positive, self-enhancing ones in line with God’s promises in his Word.
With your faith at the center of your pursuit of life balance, you are more flexible to adapt to challenging situations. You will experience God’s peace and spiritual and personal growth as you pass through tough times.