When Life is Difficult – Where is God?
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 11:27-30
What do we do when life gets laborious and burdensome? If we are overly stressed it’s because we fear what lies ahead of us. Fear actually hinders our cognitive and physical abilities and can easily increase our stress level. How does God want us to handle the difficult times in life? First he wants us to know he is with us and he desires to carry us through any situation in life.
The verse above tells us God takes our heavy laden times and gives rest to our souls. But how do we overcome our anxious moments and receive this rest for our souls? Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). This verse tells us not to be anxious about anything, but to pray with a thankful heart and receive peace from the Lord. This is a promise from God, and God cannot lie.
Pray with a thankful heart and seek peace and rest for your souls from the Lord. We have a choice, we can go through the day with stress, or we go through the day with peace and rest for our souls. Either way we have to go through the day and how we go through the day is our choice. Put your faith in the Lord and let the Spirit guide you step by step as you praise and thank the Lord for each step. It’s an attitude of victory in Christ verses an attitude of fear from Satan.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Today walk with the Lord every step of the way because you can never do any better than let the Lord guide you, and whatever happens today you will be victorious in the Lord’s eyes because you trusted him. Store up your treasures in heaven.
Today walk in the Lord with peace and rest for your soul, no matter how physically active you may be today. Put everything in the Lord’s hands and walk step by step, guided by the Spirit. Remain calm and confident that the Lord will see you through every step. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust the Lord with all your heart, and today don’t lean on your own understanding.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to fully trust you while I live as your servant. Let everything I do today be done with the goal of pleasing you. Give me the physical strength, and your love and power to reflect to the world during this stressful day. In Jesus name, Amen