Is it possible to thrive when life gets tough? More specifically, as followers of Jesus Christ, how do you keep on the Journey when life seems dark?

When going through difficult times, so often Christians give up on doing the basics, because they don’t “feel” like it.  Remember, the bible encourages us to walk by faith – not by what we see or feel. (See 2 Corinthians 5:7) Now is not the time to give up!  

BACK TO THE BASICS

• Stay in the Word – you need to hear from God through reading His Word through your eyes.
• Stay Praying – you need to hear from God in your innermost being.  If you are all “prayed out,” just call on the name of Jesus and then wait and listen.  Sometimes during quiet times you’ll be able to hear God speak.  Often, you just need silence to be refreshed.
• Stay in your local church – It’s important to be present in corporate worship.  Often, the Holy Spirit will touch you when you’ve been obedient to His Word to not give up on assembling with other worshipers. Many times, being in a church service is where you hear something that resonates with you and you get just what you need.

These things are what you do to survive when you are in a trial.

THRIVING TECHNIQUES

May I suggest what works for me when I am in a dark place?

• Worship, and then more worship: When you go through a bad time, the best thing to do is to sing yourself through it!  Ephesians 5:19 advises “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  You’re putting positive thoughts in your sub-conscious by doing this instead of listening to all the negative things the enemy whispers to you about your situation. The enemy is a liar anyway – why listen to him?
• Work:  The old saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop is so true.  It is too easy to give in to despair when you are doing nothing.  Anytime I’ve thrown myself into good old-fashioned work, I’ve felt so much better afterwards.  The bonus is that at the end of the day, my house is cleaner, my to-do list is whittled down and I’m ready for sleep.
• Watch for ways to help others: Instead of focusing on our pain, if we actively look for ways to bless others we will learn the secret of thriving in the midst of tough times.  If you are busy doing something to bless someone else, you won’t have time to dwell on what’s wrong in your life.  You’ll find joy in giving (it’s more blessed to give than receive) and you will kick in the law of sowing and reaping.  If you sow blessing, at some point, blessing will come back to you. Who but God would have come up with that idea?

The next time you face tough times decide to worship, work and watch for ways to bless.  You’ll come through better than before!

*adapted from a previous post

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Hello, dear readers. It’s been quite awhile since I have posted on this blog. I am still working with my writing coach: and we are on the last quarter of my novel. However, I have missed blogging terribly.

I’m excited to announce that my work schedule has lessened. I now consider myself “semi-retired.” Instead of working 6 days a week, I’m condensing my work into 3 days a week. More writing time is available! More blogging time can be penciled in on my schedule! Therefore, look for new posts from me at least once a month here, and also at Jerralea’s Journey.

Have you read my Transformation Series? It’s just as vital today as when I wrote it in 2023. Click here to read all the posts.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

Sharing at Let’s Have Coffee, Sweet Tea & Friends, Grace & Truth