FAITH IN HARD TIMES
“There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.” - J.R.R. Tolkien
No matter who you are, where you live, what you do… There will be times in your life that are difficult. We cannot escape hardship. No amount of money or safety precautions can lead to a life without hard moments. It is both a blessing and a curse of being human. The hardship of life also leads to all that is good. We cannot experience true joy without also experiencing true sorrow.
As Christians, we are able to recognize and understand that we live in a broken world. Here there is pain, sorrow, tragedy, hate, anger, disappointment and on and on. Yet, we are also given the hope of Christ. We are told that we are a light, a reminder that God loves and loves abundantly. Even while we face hardship, difficult moments, or even the worst things imaginable, we can rely on our faith and our hope. It will not take away the bad, or keep us safe, yet it will be there as a promise.
This is an incredibly difficult thing to live out! For many, it can be tempting to treat God like a genie or a vending machine. Wishing that He would give us exactly what we pray for. Yet instead, we find a greater mystery and a more beautiful faith full of depth, love, and a wisdom far greater than our own. In this blog, I wish to share some thoughts and strategies that have helped me rely on my faith in hard times.
BUILDING YOUR FAITH MUSCLES
When I was a college student, I went to a retreat. As you do. We headed up to the mountains, joined hundreds of other college students, and spent time together worshiping, listening to speakers, praying and even having long alone times with God. I remember waking up and being amazed at the beautiful sunrise in the valley, completely surrounded by mountains. The cold, brisk air forced me to wake up. I don’t remember all of the speakers, or all the (probably amazing!) things that they said… but one thing really stuck with me. It has impacted many of my decisions and my understanding of faith.
The speaker was an elderly man who had worked in ministry for a long time. He shared so many different stories of how God had shown up for his family over the years, often in surprising ways and sometimes at the last minute. He shared that early in his ministry, it had been hard to trust in God. Yet every time he did, when God did come through and things worked out, his faith grew stronger. He said it was like going to a gym and working out. At the beginning, it can be tough. Your muscles are not very strong, so they struggle, and it takes more effort. As time passes, and you are consistent with your workouts, your muscles get stronger. The workouts can be harder and longer. The weights can be heavier. It doesn’t take as much effort.
He said the same is true for your faith. Each trial, test or difficulty can seem so hard at the time. You may wonder if your faith is strong enough. Yet when you make it through or even as you are going through it, your faith can grow.
This thought has been so comforting for me. It reminds me that the trials and hardships and pain are chances to build those muscles. If I choose to respond to trials with grumpiness or complaining or numbing, those are the muscles that will grow. So, if I choose to respond by looking for gratitude, mindfulness, moving my body, prayer and Scripture, those are the muscles that will grow. Which muscles do you want to build?
STRATEGIES FOR FAITH
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” - G.K. Chesterton
These are the strategies that I return to over and over again. They are also the ones that I share with my children when they are facing hardships and difficulties. Try out all of them and then choose 1-3 that work the best for you.
- Affirmations. Choose statements that you know are true, even if they don’t feel true. (Ex: I am loved. I am chosen. I am forgiven. And so on)
- Meditation. Find an app with guided meditations (Calm, Dwell) or choose one Bible verse or statement to repeat in your head, while you take deep breaths for 5-10 minutes.
- Prayer. Try starting a prayer journal or read books about prayer to deepen your prayer life.
- Scripture. Follow a reading plan or choose a book of the Bible to read through.
- Journaling. Try writing morning pages, or simply journal through your emotions when you want to.
- Reading. Find authors or books that leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
- Working Out. Just like our spiritual muscles, our physical muscles need to be built up too! Taking a walk, doing some yoga, or even weightlifting can help your brain in so many ways. Just look up the research connected to physical activity and mental health!
- Talking with a friend or therapist. Choose friends or family members that are safe for you to share with, then talk through what you are experiencing. I also really believe that everyone should try therapy at some point in their lives.
- Laughter. Laughter really is the best medicine! Watch a funny show (I like to return to comfort comedic sitcoms!), get together with friends, or watch funny clips on social media.
“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:27
RESOURCES
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” - Maya Angelou
When we face hard times, it can be helpful to have resources to support ourselves. This can give us the tools we need to make it through and feel supported. This list of resources are things that I have found helpful! Try out any or all that sound good to you and then save the ones that you want to use when you go through hard times.
This is a listening Bible app. They have playlists and programs that help you to listen to God’s word and apply it to your life. I am especially enjoying their new Lectio Divinia series of scriptures to dwell on that are sorted by how you are feeling currently.
An easy way to begin to track how you are actually feeling. You can set reminders for checking in, track specific aspects of your life that impact your emotions, and share your responses with others. I have enjoyed learning to be more specific about how I am actually feeling throughout the day.
A great book for anyone who wants to better understand themselves and how faith can come alongside emotion. It also pairs well with her other book, Get Out Of Your Head. Reading these books almost feels like going to therapy and starting a mental health journey.
One of our favorite and most popular products! This gratitude journal will help you refocus your mindset so that you can build healthy mental habits and be intentional about choosing to focus your thoughts on all that is good.
- Therapy
If you are struggling or going through a hard time, I highly suggest finding a qualified therapist. It has never been easier! Many insurance companies will cover all or part of your appointments. And there are many companies that offer therapy over video calls, or in person. Do your research and find a good fit. Remember, it can take a bit to find a therapist or type of counseling that helps. Check out the American Counseling Association for more information!
BEAUTY THROUGH IT ALL
“We can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them.” - George Eliot
I could never find enough words or enough resources to help and make a difference. Yet my hope is that this blog post is just the beginning for you. That it helps you find the next step in your faith journey. That it offers you hope, gives you a tool or resource that actually helps, and reminds you that you aren’t alone. Sending you love and prayers on your journey!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
- How have you seen God at work in your life recently?
- What hard times have you faced in the past and what has helped you through?
- What strategies from this post do you want to try?
- How can you support the people around you when they face hard times?
- What’s one thing that stood out to you in this blog post?
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” - Psalm 46:1-3