Hit Hard

Have you ever been hit hard with something you weren’t at all expecting? Terrible news of some sort you never thought would affect you or those you love? Perhaps the unexpected death of a loved one, divorce of a family member, a personal job loss, a tragic accident, or an unforeseen diagnosis?

Even in those times, God is working on our behalf and will never leave us. He’s our hope and help. He comforts us when we’re weary, provides peace when we’re stressed, and gives us joy in our sorrow.

My husband and I went on a hike two weeks ago and returned home to devastating news. We notified family and friends and called upon them to pray over this situation. Their support and understanding brought comfort to our troubled hearts.

Two days later, during my quiet time with the Lord, I read Romans Chapter 8. When I finished, I reread verse 28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I said, “Yes, Lord. You are working for our good in this circumstance, and I thank You.”

Within a few hours, another hit came, which made what happened earlier even more devastating. That’s when Romans 8:26-27 came to life as I cried out to the Lord.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Later that day, my husband quoted Romans 8:28 unaware I’d read that same scripture twice that morning. And that evening, as we streamed our mid-week service, our pastor shared the same verse. God was speaking to my heart and telling me that He was in control and working, even though I felt uncertain. How do I know this? His Word declares it. I love Him and He has called me, so He is working for good in my life and in others affected by this news.

Be encouraged knowing that even in our struggles, God is with us. He works even when we can’t see what He is doing. That’s where faith comes in. Faith to believe God is at work in our situation to fulfill his purpose in us.

We walk in faith and hope knowing God is at work. Even when we’re hit hard, He is with us because the Holy Spirit is in us. The Spirit pleads for me and He pleads for you. If you are struggling or hurting, please know God is working in all things.

Father, many of us have been hit hard with trials. But You, Lord, are at work in each of our situations and for this I thank You. I’m also grateful for the Holy Spirit who pleads for my needs according to Your will. I love you, Lord, and thank you for loving me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

---

All scripture is from the New International Version (NIV).

Photo by Aliyah Jamous - Unsplash

My Story

Other than God’s Word, there’s no better way to proclaim the miracle of the cross than to share our personal story of when Christ’s death and resurrection changed our lives. Here’s my story.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Psalm 23:4, ESV

Depression became my foe while alone in a hotel room. My friend had plans without me, which meant I spent the day with nothing to do. My depression felt like death. When I found a Bible in the drawer, I read Psalm 23 and hoped the words “for you are with me” were true. I prayed and asked God to help me get my life on the right track, because misery awaited me if I didn’t make essential changes.

I grew up believing I was a Christian—attended church, could quote the Ten Commandments, and believed in God. What more was there?

After graduating from high school, I headed the wrong way in life. I didn’t hang out with the “obedient kids,” which distressed my parents. For three years I tried to find myself and discovered I needed to focus more on the Lord.

Two months after praying in the hotel room, my mom and I started attending a nearby church. On our first visit, I decided I was where I needed to be, but fear held me back. What did God want from me? The church was beginning a series of evangelistic revival services, and we discussed whether we should attend. We were both terrified they might call us up to the front of the church. But we went anyway.

On the final night of the revival, something happened inside me. But during the prayer time at the end of the service, my mom looked at me and said, “If you go forward to pray, I’ll die of embarrassment!” I responded, “I’m not going up to the front of the church—don’t worry!” We both knew we needed to pray and accept Christ into our lives, but neither of us wanted to take the first step.

After a restless week because of the Holy Spirit’s conviction, I looked at Mom the following Sunday during prayer and said, “I have to go to the front, now!” She nodded, because the Holy Spirit had moved in her heart too. I hurried forward and met Jesus that day. He became my Lord and Savior. I realized that in my head I’d assumed I was a Christian because I believed in God, but I didn’t know Him in my heart. On that Sunday, Jesus became my everything, and I confessed Him as my Lord. I began a lifelong relationship with Him, and later in the week, my mom too, received Christ into her heart and life.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9, ESV

Have you decided to follow Christ? Do you believe in your heart, and not just in your head, God raised Jesus from the dead? My prayer for you today is that your story is like my story and you, too, can say “Jesus is my Lord.”

---

Photo by Thanti Nguyen - Unsplash