Enduring difficult times

June 21, 2023

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isa. 25:4

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.” The hymn, Count Your Blessings does not state, “if” you are tempest tossed, or “if” you are discouraged, but “when” you are tempest tossed, and “when” you are discouraged. As Christians, we are to expect that tempestuous times will come. Jesus asserted that we would have tribulation in this world.[1] Peter advised that we should not be surprised by fiery trials.[2] Paul warned that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.[3] And James stated that we are not called to avoid the tempests, but to joyfully endure them.[4] Yet, tempestuous times can lead to challenging crises of faith.

Life’s storms, like those observed in weather, often contain four elements: Conditions, Catalyst, Cloudburst, and Cleanup.

In nature, conditions such as atmospheric instability and moisture lay the groundwork for a storm. Similarly, life conditions, including personality type, the influence of family and friends, unrealistic expectations, and misplaced or distorted beliefs can foster susceptibility to spiritual storms.
A catalyst in weather can be as simple as the heating of the afternoon sun or as complex as the formation of a supercell. Correspondingly, a spiritual catalyst may be simple or complex. A variety of events – health diagnoses, family and relationship issues, career changes, personal failures, exposure to other world views, and many more – can set off a storm.
Cloudbursts can be alarming, both in nature and in spirit. If we are not watchful, we may not sense a storm is brewing until it is suddenly upon us. With such spiritual torrents often come questions: Where is God? Why would God allow this? Who is God? Does God exist? We may find ourselves in a crisis of faith.
When the storm is over, the cleanup phase begins. It requires effort to rebuild a damaged structure. The result may not look like it did before the storm and is often rebuilt to be stronger. After a spiritual storm, we can rebuild a more stable faith, ready to withstand future tests.

Paul’s shipwreck recorded in Acts 27 provides an instructive metaphor of a faith crisis. With winter approaching, Paul realized the conditions were potentially perilous. His warning went unheeded, and the captain set sail, only to quickly encounter a menacing catalyst in the form of a strong northeast wind. The wind forced the ship away from the protection of land into the open sea where it was exceedingly tempest-tossed. The best efforts of the sailors failed, and the ship was driven wherever the wind took it.

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After a seemingly interminable fourteen days, God sent an angel to let Paul know that he would live, and that all the others were given into Paul’s hand. In this word from God, Paul found hope and assurance which he communicated to his shipmates, encouraging them to eat. Paul’s trust in God and his words of encouragement gave his shipmates courage to overcome their fears and actively endure the present storm, believing that God had a greater purpose in mind.

As the soldiers and crew followed Paul’s instruction, some not so willingly, the ship ran aground and broke apart, yet all aboard made it to land and were spared according to God’s word. As wet, cold strangers on the island of Malta, they began the cleanup phase, no doubt marveling that despite the inadequacy of their best efforts, God had delivered them.

But soon they encountered unfamiliar threats in this place where they never expected to land. Newly equipped with a strengthened reliance upon God, they were able to endure these unforeseen challenges and see the opportunities God had given them. Ultimately, Paul’s shipmates and the inhabitants of Malta experienced the miraculous presence of God.

Just as the captain of the ship was certain of his own wisdom and understanding, we may find ourselves overconfident in our own abilities and preparations, ignoring godly instruction. On the other hand, we may do all the right things and still find that circumstances arise to test our faith beyond what we expect. Children may go astray despite our best efforts. Educational experiences may challenge our understanding of biblical truth. Devastating illness may dash expectations or deep disappointment may come through the results of a marriage proposal and interrupt plans made in faith.

How we respond to these cloudbursts will be influenced by preexisting conditions in our life, and these catalysts may provoke a devastating spiritual storm. Questions may arise in our minds. Where is God? Why would God allow this? Who is God? Does God exist? Has God abandoned me? But the story is not over. Choices remain. We can and must choose to fully trust God for his provision in every situation in life, and so much the more in the midst of the storm. He will never leave nor forsake us![5]

As we wrestle with the reality that unexpected trials will come, we may be tempted to not bother doing the right things, thinking that despite our best efforts storms will arise. Paul teaches us to take our requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving and assures us that when we do this the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.[6] We can trust the Lord to enable us to endure storms rather than expect him to keep us from them. Awareness of our own vulnerable conditions and watchfulness for potential catalysts prepares us for the inevitable storms and tests of faith that follow.

When we are blindsided by a cloudburst, we navigate such tests by relying fully on God and allowing Him to provide the solutions. Just as the sailors needed to stay with the ship and each do their part, we can utilize the help God puts around us, whether it be relationships, counseling, or other resources. Such resources should support and work with what matters most – establishing our own faith on the word of God, which is the principal condition that enables us to continue trusting God in the worst of times. Then we, like Paul, can become a catalyst to other people’s faith, helping them to endure the storm and rest on truth.

By choosing to fully trust in God, the cleanup phase can lead to new opportunities. Disappointment in a relationship may lead to a life path that is different but more joyful than anticipated. A student may discover richer learning and a deepening trust in God’s plan after having her faith refined. Parents may find deeper relationships with their children and learn to entrust them to God’s care, despite disappointments. We can experience the daily miracle of an abundant inner life despite health challenges. We all have opportunity to grow in times of testing and trials by assessing our preparedness, heeding counsel, and choosing to completely trust God for his provision, even when there is no end to the storm in sight. We can confidently say, “God’s got this,” with peace in our heart.

This article was taken from the July 2023 Silver Lining where you can find additional interesting and inspiring content.

[1] John 16:33

[2] 1 Peter 4:12

[3] 2 Timothy 3:12

[4] James 1:2 and 1:12

[5] Hebrews 13:5

[6] Philippians 4:6-7

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Always thankful

October 21, 2026

As we approach the end of fall and the harvest season, we often focus our attention on Thanksgiving Day. We are fortunate to live in a land that recognizes the need to pause and give thanks to our great God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. However, the Bible calls us to be thankful in all times and circumstances – not just once a year. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” [i] “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [ii] These two verses are similar and yet can be interpreted differently if quoted in isolation. Thanking God for his goodness seems an easy commandment to obey; however, some circumstances are more difficult to appreciate. Giving thanks or being thankful is referenced over one hundred times in scripture. And naturally it can seem easier to give thanks when circumstances are pleasing. It is easier to thank God when a loved one repents. It is easier to thank him when we are sitting in church, listening to his Word, worshipping in song, surrounded by faithful believers. It is easier to recite 1 Thess. 5:18 when the trials of life are light and well-spaced. But what happens when life is not going well, circumstances seem impossible, or difficulties seem to pile up? Can we have thankful posture in dire situations or through sad experiences? It is clear in the Bible that by God’s grace and with intentional effort, we can have a thankful spirit and respect toward God even when the load is heavy. Scriptures in Job provide an excellent Old Testament example. After hearing a series of devastating reports about his family and possessions, Job was able to say “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” [iii] After being struck with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown and having been ridiculed by his wife for retaining his integrity, Job said “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” [iv] Job did not minimize the pain of the evil he was experiencing, but in the midst of the devastation he focused his attention on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Likewise, the disciples in the New Testament were often faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles as they spread the Word of God. Yet they looked upon their afflictions as a privilege. After being beaten and commanded to not speak in the name of Jesus, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” [v] At the same time, when Stephen was stoned, they grieved deeply at the devastating loss, yet trusted in God’s grace and goodness to see them through and somehow redeem the worst of circumstances. -----------------CONTINUED PORTION BELOW-------------------- Remembering the Lord's graciousness and track record of bringing good out of evil can help us maintain a thankful heart despite the challenges we face. Whether amidst hard circumstances or easy, we can focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Without intentional focus, we can tend to overlook gratitude when life is good because the very simple and basic needs of life are so easily realized. An abundance of material blessings can lead us to take basic needs for granted. However, being grounded in a thankful spirit can help carry us when sometimes things do not seem abundant. Simple disciplines or practices can help us foster this thankful spirit. Taking the time to pause and write a list of all we have received from God, giving him thanks for his goodness can help us turn from an entitled mindset toward a thankful mindset. Remembering God's goodness can be especially helpful when life is hard. The practice of gratitude journaling helps us remain focused on God above all during these overwhelming times. Beyond the physical needs that can be so easy to count, he also provides many spiritual blessings. In time of need, he provides us with an abundance of grace that gives us love we do not deserve and helps us serve him in ways far beyond what we could do of our own ability. God’s wisdom and his compassion assure us that he will provide for all our needs, and yet he will also withhold what is harmful if we will allow him to do so. He knows our needs and in his infinite wisdom he will supply all our needs. A practice of worshipping God can also help grow our spiritual life and encourage grateful hearts. God’s truths can be engraved into our minds as we sing and praise him, no matter the circumstances. In addition, our church body encourages us to connect, travel, and grow together as believers, helping one another during both joyous and hard times in life. This spiritual connection with others is a spiritual blessing that can easily be forgotten. Finally, many of us have been born into families where we were taught the truth of God’s Word, being exposed since we were young to the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and the knowledge of our great and loving God whom we can call Father. This thankful spirit is often born out of knowing the Father, whose image we carry. Having a clear vision and understanding of God’s character and attributes can help us develop a thankful spirit. Among the many reasons to thank God are his power, his grace, and his mercy. We thank him for the love he showed when he sent his only begotten son, allowing us to have forgiveness of our sins and victory over death through repentance, confession, and faith in his name. He provides his Word, giving us a perfect source of wisdom and direction for our lives. His Holy Spirit provides believers with comfort, conviction, and guidance toward all truth. In addition, there are many other attributes of God to consider such as his goodness, presence, sustenance, protection, and many more. The implications for our lives of the many attributes in this list, which could be much longer, are beyond human comprehension but worth contemplating more deeply as we practice a life of gratitude. Whether you are in a joyous time of life or a time when life is difficult, may the remembrance of these many truths provide a new understanding to the Scripture’s challenge to, “In every thing, give thanks.” [vi] May this Thanksgiving holiday remind you of our great and good God, the loving sacrifice of Jesus, and the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to guide us not only in the good, but also in the difficult of life. And may this testimony of thankfulness greatly affect our own lives and the lives of those around us. [i] Psalm 107:1 [ii] I Thess. 5:18 [iii] Job 1:21 [iv] Job 2:10 [v] Acts 5:41 [vi] I Thess. 5:18