Are you up against it?

I guess I blog about going through difficult times because I have so many conversations with people who are up against it. It’s too common. Pain and hardship are just part of the the deal.

Fortunately, the Bible is filled with encouragement for our walking through difficult times. Here is one of my favorites out of The Message translation.

Let it encourage your soul today, and if you know of someone who is up against it…please pass it on.

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG)

Can you relate?

One conversation I seem to have over and over is with people who’ve been gone from attending church for a while, but now they’re back. One after another says something along the lines of, “WOW, I didn’t realize how much I missed this until I came back!”

It’s so easy to let one week turn into two, one month turn into four, and before we know it we’re not connected anymore.

Let me encourage you, if you’re one who’s been gone for a while, not only do you need to be reconnected to the Family, we NEED YOU! We’re truly in this together. In fact, TOGETHER we THRIVE in 2025.

“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25 MSG)

When Life Hurts-Part 5

Today’s reminder is a powerful one: When Life Hurts…PRAISE.

We introduced a new song this past weekend that’s been getting a lot of attention recently. I believe it resonates with many of us because of our own experience with pain, brokenness and hardship. And yet…we choose to praise in the midst of it all!

Here are the words to the chorus of Hard Fought Hallelujah…

I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, been-through-hell hallelujah. And I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail story-to-tell hallelujah, oh ‘Cause God, You’ve been patient God, You’ve been gracious, faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing. So I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah.

When life hurts and hope seems distant, it’s time to praise. It may not be easy to lift your hands when you’re holding all of your problems…so lay them at the feet of Jesus and praise Him. Then, be ready to experience the shift in your heart!

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5 NIV)

When Life Hurts-Part 4

Last week we started talking about When Life Hurts. We said: When Life Hurts…LISTEN, LEARN and LEAN. Well, I kept think of a few more things, so here is today’s thought: When Life Hurts…PRAY (and be thankful).

It’s possible, when I say to PRAY, you’re thinking “OF COURSE. Thanks for nothing!” Ha. But, this prayer is grounded in gratitude.

When life hurts it’s difficult to find the good, we’re typically focused on our problems. However, God reminds us to shift our focus from our problems to His peace, and the way we get there is gratitude.

You can see this clearly in Philippians 4:6-7. He tells us to bring our prayers to God…WITH THANKSGIVING.

Even in your pain, take the time to write out 5-10 things you’re truly grateful for. Thank God for them as you ask Him to help you in your hurt. Then, watch His peace come into play!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

When Life Hurts-Part 3

We’re wrapping up a quick week of discussing When Life Hurts. We’ve said: When Life Hurts…LISTEN, LEARN and today…When Life Hurts…LEAN.

We’ve been listening and learning and while I could make the obvious case we now need, in the midst of our pain to lean toward God (which we should), I want to take this leaning in a different direction. I want you to consider to LEAN TOWARD OTHERS.

One one hand, we need to find our safe, strong people and lean into them for their encouragement and support. We need to always be cultivating genuine friends, so when life hurts and when you feel like falling, you have someone to lean up against. It’s the powerful reality we experience when we’re truly involved and engaged in the church.

On the other hand, I have seen the power of serving others as a way of us coming through our painful seasons. We don’t have to wait until our painful season is over to start bringing Christ’s love to others. It might just help to get our eyes off our problems and on to helping someone else who Christ loves.

George Bernard Shaw, “The worst sin we can commit toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them – but to be indifferent toward them.”

This weekend, even in your own pain, look for a simple way to help someone else. I think it will do wonders for you as you lean into someone else’s pain and bring them a bit of God’s grace and joy.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT)