Life's Challenges

Life's Challenges

We all go through challenging or awkward times in our lives. It's not easy staying positive when we run into daily trials and tribulations. God allows this to happen to us, and others, to encourage faith, which allows for our spiritual growth.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The devil uses spiritual warfare to drive us away from God. But when the Holy Spirit is with you, you can then lean on God's word. After all, the Lord, your God, has brought you this far. When you serve God, He will help you with overcoming obstacles. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Be strong and courageous. Count it as joy because you can put your faith in God. You will learn more from overcoming struggles than during times of comfort and joy.

In this Bible study, we will examine encouraging Scriptures to have faith in hard times. Let these powerful Bible verses help you keep a positive attitude during times of your personal trial(s).

1 John 5:5 Who is He that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

Psalms 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Yet, life can be really tough. Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

The book of Hebrews inspires us to hold on and never give up!

Even if we have the luxury of being retired, daily things we must accomplish can overwhelm us, let alone carving out some fun time. Conditional requirements seem to burden us day in and day out. Emotions and fears can overwhelm us and doubts frequently swamp our thoughts and outlook. No wonder setting in the recliner or napping on the sofa is so, so appealing?

Within the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament books, Hebrews is included after Romans among the books written by the apostle Paul. This is interpreted as evidence that Paul had written it. Some Eastern churches accepted Hebrews as canonical earlier than Western Churches. With so many distractions grabbing our attention and diverting our focus, it is easy to feel unsuccessful. I think Paul underwent those feelings as well.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. Anyone who has walked through the fires of life, the valleys of hardship, the daily struggles, and persevered should testify that our eyes must stay focused on the only One who is our hope, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Sometimes our hope, and ultimately our faith is all we can cling to when we lose a loved one or suffer a similar tragedy. Not because our grasp is so strong, but because He who promised all to us will faithfully hold and protect us.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

Holding On

From Hebrews 10:23-25, we read, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting (cheering or inspiring) one another, and so much the more as our day of judgment is approaching.” Yes, judgment day is closer and closer each day.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.