When we’ve been in a tough situation for a while, we can begin to feel hopeless and discouraged. We might even start to think that we’ll never get through what we’re facing. While Jesus never promised us a ‘problem-free life’, He did promise that He would always be with us and that His power would help us overcome our difficulties. When we’re feeling discouraged, we can start complaining about our situations. That’s when we need to change how we’re thinking. Paul says, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will’ (Romans 12:2 NIV). When we renew our mind with God’s Word, He’ll show us His will and strengthen us to get through whatever we’re facing. We can often get so caught up with what we’re going through that we struggle to see God at work in our situation, or even to see that God is there at all. But Paul says: ‘we live by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV). We might not actually be able to see anything changing, but we have to keep going in faith. We have to keep trusting God, keep depending on Him, and keep moving forward in the knowledge that He’s walking every step with us. In Psalm 23, David said: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me’ (v.4 NIV). The dark valleys will come in our lives, but we can keep going until we reach the other side because we know that God is with is.

What Now?

If you’re going through a tough time, try saying Psalm 23:4 out loud every day when you wake up.