Hello, human being.
Yes, you, sitting at your desk with your big smile or scrolling through on your mobile as you read this. You will go through tough times. Life is full of adversity, hardship, challenge, and difficulty. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your position in life is – it’s tough. It’s not a case of if something happens, it’s rather a case of when something happens and how to go through it and prepare for it. Things happen all the time.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend suddenly breaks up with you.
You lose your job. Or you still can’t find one.
You have a parent who is ill.
Your best friend is in a critical condition.
Your spouse doesn’t want to be married anymore.
You have been single forever, and you feel like there is no hope.
You want kids but can’t fall pregnant.
You are in debt and another bill comes.
How do we survive this all? How do we go through it without becoming disappointed, disillusioned, and bitter?
Embrace the reality of the situation
You can’t pretend away a situation which is bad – it’s far far better to face it head on. Equally, though, you can’t over-dramatise it and turn it into a monstrosity when in actual fact it’s a little speed hump. The best way to gain perspective is to write down the problem and then speak to a rational friend.
Refuse to lose hope in the end
So often we simply give up on things. I would encourage you: don’t give up. Give your problem to God and trust him to either give you strength through the journey or turn the story around for your best. Very often it looks like God has walked off the stage when you need him most, but when you look back on these situations you gain more perspective and can see that he was in fact there in the details even though you felt lost and alone.
Accept the consequences
Sometimes we want to paint the ending of our story instead of accepting what happens. You can’t control how things will turn out and if they don’t turn out how you wish then you have to let your story go and embrace the here and now. In every crisis we are forced to go to God and even though things don’t turn out our way, trust that it is for his best – not for ours.
Remember this will pass
I know it feels like there will be no end to the pain or frustration you feel. All suffering has an expiry date. Often it’s far later than we think, but still, it does end. There is a lesson in all pain, and all pain changes us and creates depth within our hearts. Don’t run from this, walk through it step by step and let go of the grudges and heartache even when you want to carry it with.
Pain will teach you humility
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Pain, difficult times, and adversary teach us all humility. When we don’t have all the answers we look to sources outside ourselves. Pain shows us we aren’t perfect, it teaches us we are just humans and not demigods. Even though we don’t like it, it is good for us.
Don’t be discouraged my friend. I know its hard. Believe me, I know. Stay the path and remain strong. Let this all bring you closer to God and iron out your bad attitudes or rebellious ways. Let us not forget the words of Joseph in the Bible:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” – Genesis 50:20