You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
–Psalm 32:7
One of the most faithful lay leaders in our church approached me one morning after the service and told me he was going through a really rough patch. He had lost his job and the financial stress on his family was beginning to take a toll on him. But I was amazed at what he said next.
“Pastor,” he said, “I want you to know that this has been a great and growing time in my family’s life. Now I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. But God is doing so many wonderful things in our lives through this experience.” What an example of faithfulness in such a difficult season of life!
Many pastors and teachers today will tell you that if you’re in God’s will, you won’t ever experience hardship. But the truth is that God often brings us hardship so that we may be built up in faith knowing that He’ll bring us through it. That’s the kind of protection God gives you – not keeping you from tough times, but being a shelter in tough times.
Don’t let hard times weaken your faith. Instead, strengthen your faith when times get tough, knowing God is at work for your good and His glory!
CLING TO GOD WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH AND HE’LL BE YOUR SHELTER FROM THE STORMS OF LIFE.
