The Good Hidden In The Hard

What good can you possibly see in your not-so-good situation?

To see the good - it’s harder than it sounds, isn’t it? When things start to go wrong, what’s the first thing that comes out of your mouth? Frustration? Fear? Maybe a few choice words you’re not proud of later?

I get it, I’ve been there too. It’s not wrong to be honest about what hurts, but we just can’t stay stuck there. If we do, we spiral downward fast.

I’ve had times when discouragement hit so hard that it felt almost impossible to rise up again. Maybe you have too. But God has a way of meeting us right there, in the heap of it all, and helping us stand.

The Apostle Paul wrote about that kind of strength while chained up in prison. You’d think he’d be complaining, but instead, he wrote:

“I thank God as I always mention you in my prayers, day and night. I serve him, doing what I know is right as my ancestors did. God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. I am suffering now because I tell the Good News, but I am not ashamed, because I know Jesus, the One in whom I have believed. And I am sure he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:3, 7, 12 NCV)

Even from a prison cell, Paul found reasons to give thanks. He also wrote, “Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.” (Philippians 4:4 NCV) And again, “I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NCV)

Those weren’t just words for Paul, they were his faith in action. You will never see the outcome until you step out into the unknown. If you can calculate it, predict with accuracy and reduce the risk to almost zero - that’s not faith.

“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” (Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NCV‬‬) You have to do what God prescribes - no matter what.

The truth is, life’s not easy and there are real - for real - hard situations.. The Bible is full of people who cried out in fear and anger, David, Jeremiah, Job, but none of them stayed there. And the best part is that God didn’t leave them there.

He won’t leave you or me either. He won’t. He may not prevent the storm, but He will give you and I the strength to endure it. This was true for Jesus himself.

That’s the heart of the gospel. Jesus faced the ultimate suffering, pain, humiliation, and death on a cross. He didn’t escape it; He overcame it. He bore our sin, paid our debt, and through His resurrection, gave us hope that no prison, no pain, no failure can destroy. He redeems us, heals us, and makes us whole again.

So if your situation feels bad, pray. If it’s hard, call a friend who will remind you of God’s faithfulness and pray with you. And when you feel like you can’t, remember, you really can, with God.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.” (Psalm 34:18 NCV)

Lord, help my friends who are in a storm right now. And help me when mine arrives. IJNIP amen. ♥️