When Life Gets Hard: Holding Onto Hope That Lasts

God’s Word says the truth will set you free. It also says that the devil has come to steal, kill, and destroy.

You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. – John 8:32 (WEB)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10 (NIV)

Every day, I see many people embracing whatever the enemy throws their way instead of embracing the truth God has given us through His Word.

I see so much hopelessness in the lives of those facing situations that cannot be fixed or restored to their former glory.

Sometimes, the lies look like the truth, and the truth is hard to embrace; however, the burden of The Lord is easy.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

We don’t need to beg the Lord to love us, spend time with us, or make us a priority. We are never alone, and God will always love us.

But then I asked myself:

Is that enough to help me move past the pain of the lies?
Is that enough to help me move past the pain of the “unfixable?”
Is it sufficient for me to move past the pain of the lies that other people believe, too?

Going to college to get my psychology degree stretched me to approach problems differently.

Instead of trying to fix circumstances, I was taught to focus on finding a solution to the problem. This was difficult for me. However, I began to see the reason behind this method: because nobody can “fix” our problems.

If someone goes to therapy and wants the therapist to help them through their grief because their loved one died, to fix their problem, the therapist would need to be able to bring their loved one back to life.

How often do people come to us wanting to fix some of the most impossible things, and how often do we feel helpless because we can’t help them?

Several years ago (and many times since then), I faced the reality that there was something in my life that no amount of money, power, or people could turn the situation around. I was tempted to wallow in the “WHY” of it all and spend my time wishing it had never happened.

I wanted to talk to someone about it and have them make me stop feeling so helpless and depressed, but I realized no one could fix my situation.

In both instances, I have had to decide whether to focus on the solution or just live my life to the best of my ability. It amazes me that God can give life in some of the most terrible, gut-wrenching experiences.

Focusing on Jesus has helped me find healing from many circumstances that will never be “okay.” I have learned to embrace every moment in my life as building a legacy. This has enlarged my small world, and my view of “Who God Is” outgrew the box I had placed Him in.

The pain of this world helps us break free from our pride. This pride gives us a false sense of security.

These painful “unfixable” moments in our lives make us realize all too quickly how fragile the box we are standing in is. It reminds me of the scripture that warns us against building our house on sand instead of God’s Word!

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. – Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)

The truth is, our relationship with God will never be one that doesn’t include storms, accidents, mistakes, or a whole lot of pain and hurt.

We can focus on finding a solution to the problem. Life may never look like it used to, but we can find a purpose in almost every situation.