Kari Lee Fournier
Handling tough times
By Kari Lee Fournier
We've all had the experience of watching someone go through difficult times, thinking to ourselves "Wow, that's rough...sure glad it's not me." Once again, we've dodged the bullet, right? But sooner or later that crisis will set its honing sights directly on us personally. And that's when we need to get out our arsenal and give it everything we've got – and this is precisely where God comes in. Which is perfect timing, as He does His best work when we, who have put our trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness and eternal life, are at our worst and unable to handle the challenge before us.
Now, what to do from your end: first and foremost, get your mind off of the problem, and onto God and His possibilities. Do not let fear take hold. Bring to mind the words in the Bible in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Next, understand that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent. That's right, He is well aware of every facet of your problem, has all of the power needed to solve it, and is right there beside you. You say, "Well, I know that God's there to help, but it's not like He pays attention to every small detail." Oh really? Well, let's look at Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Yes – ALL things.
God is well aware of your problem, and has allowed it – thus, we know that He will supply you with whatever it takes to handle it. Now, lest you remain doubtful, take a trip down memory lane. Surely there are several incidents where you thought that things would never turn out, but then found that they did – and for the best. During the process, circumstances changed and your insides changed – and the final result worked out well. Subsequently, when looking to the future, understand that God will orchestrate things similarly. Instead of fretting, adopt a trusting attitude, knowing that He is in ultimate control.
Your job throughout the challenge is to keep your focus on Jesus and follow His ways – handling things the way that He would. Most importantly, do not forget to pray. We see in Luke 22:31-32: "And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail...." That's pretty significant: the Lord of the Universe did not simply snap His fingers and fix things – He took the time to pray. Let's follow His perfect example.
And finally, bear in mind that everyone takes their turn at difficulties. Some of the latest hype says that you should never feel pain or sorrow. But remember that Jesus Himself was, as stated in Isaiah 53:3: "...A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...." Struggle builds character, and God also works in us through hard times when we break His laws to draw us to Himself. Even the Biblical disciples and prophets had highs and lows, such as Peter, who surely had wonderful, peaceful moments with the Lord, but then "wept bitterly" when recalling how Jesus had foretold that Peter would deny Him.
Accept the tough times when they come, while remembering some of the most comforting words in the Bible: "...it shall come to pass...." Tough times do not come to stay – they come to pass.
(Originally published December 30, 2011 in the Green Bay Press-Gazette)
© Kari Lee Fournier
November 22, 2016
We've all had the experience of watching someone go through difficult times, thinking to ourselves "Wow, that's rough...sure glad it's not me." Once again, we've dodged the bullet, right? But sooner or later that crisis will set its honing sights directly on us personally. And that's when we need to get out our arsenal and give it everything we've got – and this is precisely where God comes in. Which is perfect timing, as He does His best work when we, who have put our trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness and eternal life, are at our worst and unable to handle the challenge before us.
Now, what to do from your end: first and foremost, get your mind off of the problem, and onto God and His possibilities. Do not let fear take hold. Bring to mind the words in the Bible in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Next, understand that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent. That's right, He is well aware of every facet of your problem, has all of the power needed to solve it, and is right there beside you. You say, "Well, I know that God's there to help, but it's not like He pays attention to every small detail." Oh really? Well, let's look at Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Yes – ALL things.
God is well aware of your problem, and has allowed it – thus, we know that He will supply you with whatever it takes to handle it. Now, lest you remain doubtful, take a trip down memory lane. Surely there are several incidents where you thought that things would never turn out, but then found that they did – and for the best. During the process, circumstances changed and your insides changed – and the final result worked out well. Subsequently, when looking to the future, understand that God will orchestrate things similarly. Instead of fretting, adopt a trusting attitude, knowing that He is in ultimate control.
Your job throughout the challenge is to keep your focus on Jesus and follow His ways – handling things the way that He would. Most importantly, do not forget to pray. We see in Luke 22:31-32: "And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail...." That's pretty significant: the Lord of the Universe did not simply snap His fingers and fix things – He took the time to pray. Let's follow His perfect example.
And finally, bear in mind that everyone takes their turn at difficulties. Some of the latest hype says that you should never feel pain or sorrow. But remember that Jesus Himself was, as stated in Isaiah 53:3: "...A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...." Struggle builds character, and God also works in us through hard times when we break His laws to draw us to Himself. Even the Biblical disciples and prophets had highs and lows, such as Peter, who surely had wonderful, peaceful moments with the Lord, but then "wept bitterly" when recalling how Jesus had foretold that Peter would deny Him.
Accept the tough times when they come, while remembering some of the most comforting words in the Bible: "...it shall come to pass...." Tough times do not come to stay – they come to pass.
(Originally published December 30, 2011 in the Green Bay Press-Gazette)
© Kari Lee Fournier
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