Finding Hope and Strength in Life's Challenges
Sometimes we allow ourselves to get consumed with the problems we are facing. And I want to pause here, because I know this time of year can be especially difficult for many. While the world is celebrating, others are quietly carrying grief, loneliness, financial pressure, or emotional exhaustion. You may feel like you’ve been walking through a long season of trials and cannot see an end to the pain.
I understand grief. Every year, I have to move forward without my mom, and I’ve learned that grief doesn’t always show up when you expect it to. It comes in unexpected moments—while watching a movie, hearing a song, walking through the store, or even during a quiet drive. Ordinary moments suddenly become heavy reminders of what’s missing. If you’ve experienced that kind of grief, please know you’re not weak for feeling it, and you’re not alone in carrying it.
Romans 5:3–5 reminds us:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
This passage doesn’t dismiss suffering—it acknowledges it. Scripture makes it clear that trials are part of the journey, but it also reassures us that God is always working through them. Even when you cannot see the outcome or understand why the season feels so heavy, God is producing perseverance, shaping character, and anchoring you in a hope that will not fail.
We were never promised an easy life. If there were no valleys, would we truly know God? It is often in the lowest moments—when everything is tested—that we begin to understand just how sufficient and sustaining His grace really is. No, it doesn’t feel good while you’re going through it. And no, we won’t always understand what God is doing. But that is where trust is formed and faith begins to grow.
Proverbs 3:5–6 instructs us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
These verses are more than comforting words—they are a lifeline. There have been many moments in my own life that left me confused and searching for answers. Situations that didn’t make sense, prayers that seemed unanswered, and seasons where I felt unsure of my footing. Yet, time and time again, God proved that even when I didn’t understand His plan, I could trust His heart.
I’ll be honest—I sometimes struggle with understanding how the Lord could use someone with my past: a teenage mom, a former drug user, and someone who didn’t grow up in the church. For a long time, I believed those things disqualified me. But through growth, healing, and declaring God’s Word over my life, I’ve learned something powerful—I am needed. My story allows me to reach people that others may not be able to reach, because I am living proof of what the Lord can do when someone fully surrenders their life to Him. What I once thought would disqualify me became the very testimony God uses for His glory.
Maybe you feel the same way—like your past, your pain, or even your grief has placed you on the sidelines. But let me encourage you: God wastes nothing. He redeems, restores, and repurposes every part of your story.
Jeremiah 29:11 declares:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This promise still stands—especially in seasons where grief resurfaces and hope feels distant. God’s plans are rooted in love, guided by wisdom, and filled with purpose, even when the process feels painful.
Practical Ways to Trust God During Grief and Hard Seasons
Give yourself grace: Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and healing is not linear.
Pray honestly: God can handle your tears, your questions, and your silence.
Anchor yourself in Scripture: Let God’s Word speak when emotions feel overwhelming.
Stay connected: Don’t isolate—allow trusted people to walk with you.
Call to Action
If grief or pain has resurfaced during this season, don’t push it aside—bring it to God. Take one intentional step this week: pause and pray when the waves hit, write down what you’re feeling, or reach out to someone you trust. You don’t have to have all the answers. Simply allow God to meet you in the middle of the moment. Even when the grief feels sudden and heavy, God is still near, still working, and still faithful.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for walking with me through every season—even the ones marked by loss and sorrow. When grief catches me off guard and my heart feels heavy, remind me that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me to trust You when the process hurts and to rest in the truth that You are shaping something beautiful in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
