SPIRITUAL HELPS
Ten Reasons to Hope When You
Are Hurting
By Steve Arterburn and Mike
Marino
New Life Ministries
CBN.com
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- God is truly in control. If God is God, then nothing happens apart
from His knowledge and permission. While it is difficult to imagine why
God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the
Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion
that He is willing and able to sustain you during the worst of times. We
were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live
through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not
to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead (2 Corinthians
1:8,9).
- There is an eternal life to come. What we suffer now
is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later (Romans 8:18).
He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free
from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns (1
Corinthians 1:8).
- The story isnt finished yet. Time after time, the Bible records
hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Jobs sickness,
Josephs betrayal by his brothers, Davids adultery, and the many who were
healed in mind, body, and spirit. But Joseph told them, Dont be afraid
of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God
turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position
I have today so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:19,20).
- God has not given up on you! Dont give up on Him. For I know
the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not
for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).
- There is likely purpose in your pain. Ask God to reveal His purpose
in allowing this difficulty in your life. Thats a legitimate question to
ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be
an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has
a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed,
you will be strong in character and ready for anything (James 1:2-4).
- You are loved! Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually
loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore
their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with
you. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that
captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to
tell those who mourn that the time of the Lords favor has come, and with
it, the day of Gods anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel,
He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of
despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for
His own glory (Isaiah 61:1-3).
- Your prayers are heard. You parents if your children ask you
for loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for
a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly
Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? (Matt. 7:9,10)
- You are not facing this alone. For God has said, I will never
fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence,
The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do
to me? (Hebrews 13:5,6)
- Others have made it through you can too. Try to connect with
others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength
and encouragement. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,
but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a
triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
- Reach out to someone else whos struggling. Place your focus on
someone else and invest your life in him or her. You may discover that your
peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise
to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every
mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so
that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to
give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
Copyright © New Life Ministries.
New Life Ministries wants to be a source of hope and encouragement
for you. If youd like to know about other resources for finding
hope in difficult situations or if you need to speak with someone,
call us anytime at 1-800-NEW-LIFE.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
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