Things I Must Remember During Very Difficult Times

1. It is not God who willed sin and pain into this world. If He ever allowed evil, it is to be able to accomplish a greater good. Heroism, perseverance, courage, compassion, mercy, faith – these are the things that shine brighter in the darkness, such is the greater good that arises out of evil and pain. That greater good is what I must focus on. If God ever allows pain and misfortune or any kind of injustice to touch me, it is not with malice that He does so, nor with indifference. He is very much aware of my suffering. The kind of love that will not forget me even if a mother should forget her child is that same love that has willed a greater good for me to last for eternity.

“…because God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things that they might exist, and the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them; and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal… but through the devil’s envy death entered the world…

2. The most important thing that God desires for me as a result of His love is to save my soul. This may or may not include providing me with material wealth. This may even include a lot of sorrow. But whatever His plans may be, it is to keep me from falling into sin. God loves me, and is not waiting for me to fall but to rise again. His goal is not to inflict me with pain but to heal me and give me life. I may not be aware of it, but He is there supporting me, defending me from evil and accomplishing my healing. He will never allow me to be tested beyond the capacity He gave me to bear it. And should I ever feel all is lost and hopeless, God will provide a way out still to save me.

“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – 1 Cor. 10:13
3. God blesses us all and provides for our needs differently. To some He gives material blessings, to others, spiritual strength. When we need some form of support, God sometimes sends us people who would be channels of His grace. Sometimes, it is God Himself who directly gives it to us. During such times, should I ever think I have received less? Or do I praise God for giving me Himself and personally taking care of me?

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.” – Psalm 23

4. God loves me even in my imperfections, even when I’m weak in the midst of trials. His love for me is beyond all my mistakes for He has loved me even before I tried to be good, and even after I tried to be good and failed.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Cor. 12:10

5. There comes a time when I must take a leap of faith when I can’t understand with my mind everything that is happening, especially all the unfairness and cruelties in this world. If I truly believe there is a God (which I have previously processed with my intellect, heart and spirit), then I must hold on to that belief.

The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens;
he rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who are discouraged;
he saves those who have lost all hope.
-Psalm 34:17-18

6. Everyone’s got a wound, a hurt and a deprivation of some sort, but I can’t continue to live life by always clinging to that hurt that holds me back. I’ve got to accept things as they are and just do the things that are still within my power to change.

7. God often closes the wrong doors for us so that we me enter the right one. Hence, rejections and opportunities that have seemingly been blocked may indeed be blessings in disguise that I should be thankful for.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

8. I should remember to detach myself from the outcome of my labors. We plant the seeds, but it is God who blesses the harvest.

9. In times when I really feel tired, I must rest.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” – Psalm 46:10

10. The greatest sufferings on earth could never match the joys God has prepared for us in heaven. Even if we be deprived of all the good things people see in this world, we can still be happy, we can still hope for an ending that far surpasses all our greatest imaginings and desires.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” – 1 Cor. 2:9