How Christians Can Stay Strong During Trying Times

During difficult times, people easily lose their faith in God and do incredulous things. I have heard of people, especially believers who committed suicide during difficult times.

Life isn’t a bed of roses, you know. Jesus did not promise us a life without trouble, tribulations and vicissitudes (John 16:33).

Problems are bound to come. It is how we respond to those problems that reveal our level of maturity in the things of God.

Peruse through this article as we consider how you can stay strong during hard or unfavourable times.

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How To Stay Strong During Hard Times
• Remember What God Has Done For You Before
When David was faced with a challenge which could be describe as ‘impossible’ for him to overcome.

David had to get rid of a man called Goliath — the man who had been fighting from his childhood. It was a very difficult battle for him. But what did he do?

He encouraged himself by recalling how God gave him victory sometime ago.

1 Samuel 17:37
[37]David said moreover, The LORD that DELIVERED ME OUT of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, HE WILL DELIVER ME OUT OF THE HAND OF THIS PHILISTINE. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

It was his testimony that he used to encourage himself that He would surely overcome despite all odds.

Stay Strong
Dear friend, anytime you feel there is no hope for you again. Always remember how God has helped you to overcome in the past. God has never changed and He will never change (Mal 3:6).

God is still God because He can visit you miraculously again. Let the past miracles you’ve seen and heard encourage you to believe the unshakable power of God.

Listen to the testimonies of other believers. There are some people who have gone through what you are going through now and they came out victorious.

See, there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Listen to testimonies and let them inspire you.

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Also, let your own testimony of past miracles inspire you to keep believing.

You can stay strong if you will let faith-boosting testimonies inspire you to keep believing.

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• Encourage Yourself In The Lord
1 Samuel 30:4,6
[4]Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had NO MORE POWER TO WEEP.

[6]And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: BUT DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD.
In the above cited scriptural verses, we can plainly read how David encouraged himself. His property he toiled to acquire had been burnt down. His wives and children have been taken captives.

More so, not only David’s wives and children were taken captives. David’s men — followers families were taken captives too. It was as difficult as that.

Nevertheless, David and his men wept till they had no power. All of a sudden, the men were talking of stoning him.

Immediately, David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. What does it mean to encourage yourself in the Lord?

It means trusting God despite non-visibility of clear cut solutions to one’s problem. You brace up! You cheer on though you know things are difficult. That was exactly what David did.

Try To Stay Strong
Beloved, anytime you encounter whatever you think is unbearable for you. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Nobody else can do this for you. You are the only one who will make up your mind to do so.

See, it is when you encourage yourself that you will be able to see many opportunities that are available.

Be encouraged and you’ll stay strong, active and lively during hard times.

Christma Magazine: How To Encourage Yourself In The Lord


[b• Rejoice[/b]
Philippians 4:4
[4]Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Historically, it was believed that Paul wrote this above verse when he was in prison.

So amazing! A man who was in prison wrote to those who had freedom of movement to rejoice! As you can see, he reiterated his point, saying people should rejoice.

Biblically, you don’t rejoice because you have no problem. But you rejoice because you know the Lord is strong enough to help you overcome your challenges.

Rejoice so that you can stay strong. When Joseph was in prison, he was not downhearted.

As a matter of fact, he was the one seeking the way out for those who were downhearted (Gen 40:6-7).

Take a leaf out of Joseph’s book and stay strong.

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• Develop Your Faith
Job 19:25
[25]FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job was able to utter these faith-boosting words because he had developed his faith in God.

Someone who does not know the God he serves cannot utter such statement.

Truly, whenever you find yourself in any difficult situation. Don’t go about blaming God for the misfortune you have incurred. Just be ready to develop your faith.

Articles like this, tapes and teachings that will make grow spiritually should be consulted by you. Read readable ones and eat the eatable ones.

Grow in faith, so as to stay strong in any situation. I have discovered that it is not really the problem people have that kills them.

But it is lack of faith that kills people. Faith comes by hearing. Some people listen to things that kill their faith. And that’s why troubles overwhelm them.

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• Pray
Matthew 26:38-39

[38]Then saith he unto them, MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
[39]And he went a little further, and fell on his face, AND PRAYED, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Obviously, Jesus said he was exceedingly sorrowful. When he was in such position, what did he do? He prayed.

In other words, if Jesus could be exceedingly sorrowful. Who are you to say God is unfair to you because of little problem you have?

Manage your problems by going before the Lord. Pray to Him. Communicate your needs to Him.

I have discovered that whenever I pour out my needs before God, my anxiety goes out. Prayer empties my heart. Do likewise.

Tell God your needs. Let Him know you are not okay with that unfavorable condition. And keep trusting Him as He work things out for you.

Thanks for reading.

Source: http://www.tundekorede.com/six-ways-to-stay-strong-during-difficult-times/