[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] A Friend for Hard Times

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "TONY_at_FloridaHealth" <FloridaHealth21 at verizon.net>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>, <CcHhEeSsTtEeRr at yahoogroups.com>,
<INTERCESSORS-ALLNATIONS at yahoogroups.com>, "Donna Mae"
<btlg1370 at gmail.com>, <walkwithchrist at tampabay.rr.com>,
<rhansen at reachone.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] A Friend for Hard Times
Date: 
Wed, 05 May 2010 06:47:03 -0400



A Friend for Hard Times
By Warren Olson

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Over the years, I've learned there are two givens in life: hardship and
God's presence through those hardships. Because we live in a fallen world
and are sinful people, we're going to experience struggles and loss in this
life. Some may find life to be more difficult than others, but none of us
can escape its pain. 

We've all experienced the ache of hard times. That sinking feeling in
your stomach when you get the news the cancer has spread. The throbbing in
your bones when you don't want to face the day's uncertainties. It might be
a relational struggle, financial strain, or health crisis that leaves you
shaken and feeling alone. 

As we age it seems our struggles begin to multiply. We want to ensure our
family is taken care of and are enjoying full lives. We worry about caring
for our spouse or loved ones. Medical bills and health decisions can leave
us feeling debilitated. In such times it's imperative to have a good
support system around you. But even good support can't heal the ache. 

Such times of struggle remind us of the second given in life. We can't do
it alone. We're not in control, and we need help. In fact, God uses such
circumstances to remind us of our desperate need for Him. And at some
point, each of us must decide whether we will follow Him and embrace the
new life He offers or walk away empty-handed. 

When hard times hit, ultimately God is the only one we can depend on. He
is in charge. and He promises to walk alongside us through the storms of
life. That's why God gives us so many promises about His nearness. 

Throughout the Old Testament, God continually promises His people--Moses,
Joshua, Elijah--of His nearness. When God called Moses to lead the children
of Israel out of Egypt, Moses objected that he wasn't the man for the job.
But God promised to go with him as the great I AM (Exodus 3). As Joshua
prepared to lead Israel into the Promise Land, three times God promised him
that He would be with him and never leave nor forsake him (Deuteronomy 31,
Joshua 1). And when Elijah  despaired of life and told God he was all
alone, God reminded the prophet that he reserved 7,000 people in Israel who
were still following after the one true God (1 Kings 19). 

Picking up on this theme, the writer of Hebrews says the same thing,
".because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'
So we say with confidence, 'the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid;
what can man do to me?'" (13:5-6). In the face of uncertainty, loss, and
distress, we have hope because God promises to never walk away. and this
includes during the hard times!

So if you're walking through a difficult season right now, let me
encourage you. Nothing has brought me more comfort in hard times than
knowing God walks through them with me. And when I feel myself becoming
overwhelmed by my circumstances, I begin to meditate on the promises God
gave to His people. I fill my mind with God's Word and the many times He
told those men and women, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake
you." 

Prayer is another activity that quiets my anxious thoughts. I can't fix
my situation, but God can. So I take my burdens to Him and ask Him to work
them out. He may not answer the way I want, but I know He'll give me His
best for my situation. 

And finally I'm so grateful for my wife Virginia, family, and friends who
have come alongside during difficult seasons. We need each other! One of
the most powerful things you can do for a loved one is to pray for them and
let them know you're there. A verse, a hug, or a word of encouragement does
wonders for reminding another person that you and God care about their
hurts. 

So as you walk through hard times, I hope you'll remember the Friend who
walks alongside you. He will never leave you. And He promises to walk with
you through the storms!?