People have different ways of dealing and coping during difficult times and as christians we are not immune to life struggles and the hardship of life. God has blessed us with tools and he has also equipped us with all the knowledge to apply in order to survive. Applying these christian tips during hard times will help us survive the difficult times in life.
For a very long time, I read the scripture below and took it to mean that God will never give us more than we can bear. Which is completely false but breaking it down provides a deeper revelation:
In 1st Corinthian 10: 13 : No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
The revelation: During Hard times we are more likely going to be tempted to fall into sin and this scripture demonstrates the God will not tempt us even during dark and difficult periods of our lives.
Case study: A young christian woman experiences hardship that feels like an assault in her life. Due to this experience, she is more likely going to be tempted to do things she wouldn’t usually do. Let’s be honest, we all have a sinful nature and bad experiences can surfaces our desire to sin.
So let me cut to the chase, it would be easy to be religious and say just PRAY and read your BIBLE. But sometimes we need a little be more realistic practical tips.
CHRISTIAN TIPS FOR HARD TIMES
TALK TO SOMEONE
Talk to someone. Even if you have nothing to say, share with someone that you have nothing to say but you are not alright. In shining a light on the darkness, you are going to expose the devils strategy. It is important that you have at least one person you can confide in.
LISTEN TO WORSHIP MUSIC
Music has the ability to get into your subconscious without your approval so listening to worship music, it will take your mind of yourself and focus on who God is, how great and amazing Jesus is.
I sometimes fall into the trap of listening to secular music in hopes that it will lift my mood and it will for a short time period but the sadness and anxiety or stress will return.
The truth is, if our vertical relationship is out of check, everything horizontal starts to fall apart.
Let God in with worship. I love Tasha Cobbs – spirit , Bow down and worship him, you are Alpha and Omega. These tunes get me into the zone. Music also has the ability to make you want to worship and pray as you listen to the lyrics.
PRAY
I know I mentioned it would be easy to ask you to just pray but prayer is our source of strength so we can not neglect it during hardship. Worshipping God will inspire you to pray. Pray is just taking to God. It does not have to be formal or ordered. Just say what is on your heart and God will hear you.
READ YOUR BIBLE – DO A STUDY
During hard times, it can be difficult to read your bible but the bible is the living word and God speaks to us through his word. We live in day were we all have access to technology and access to christian apps makes it even more easier to access the bible on the go.
WHAT TO READ IN THE BIBLE DURING HARDSHIP
When you do not know what to read, you can simply turn to the concordance (the back of the bible) and look for topics that matter to you in that moment. You can also use apps like YouVersion or Glo Bible which provides short studies/reading plans tackling specific issue. E.g, I was struggling with the fear of lacking in finances. I typed in finances and a well of topics came up.
Once you find your relevant topic, read the word with any supporting notes and just meditate on it.
HELP SOMEONE ELSE
When we take the focus off ourselves, we are able to heal and get through our problems. Help a new believer, meeting up with a friend who needs to know Christ or selfishly help someone who is going through more than you can in turn help you through your own difficulty.
Be an encourager to others in your time of hardship.
The over-arching truth is that what God says about us is the overall truth because we have the ability to lie to ourselves and then believe our lies. Be objective and choose to listen to what God says about you. I hope these Christian tips helps you during hard times.
ALWAYS REMEMBER :
You are valuable
Nothing can separate the love of God
You are never alone.
You are the head and not the tail
You are a conqueror
