Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. -2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Have you ever thought that God may be allowing the difficulties in our lives to shape us, strengthen our faith, and learn to trust him in the hard? What if it’s all ultimately for good?

The apostle Paul tells the Philippians that nothing pales in comparison to knowing Christ-that this is what matters. Maybe what we are experiencing right now, as tough as it may be, is there to teach us something, to help our faith mature, and our relationship with God to flourish in ways we wouldn’t be able to learn or grow otherwise. It may not be what we want to hear, but we must ask ourselves this question honestly-if everything in life was easy, and our days went seamlessly smooth, would we be reaching and grasping ahold of God like we are in these incredibly challenging trials? God knows what He’s doing, even when all may feel hopeless.

Let us not give up hope, for the one we seek is faithful to continue His good work in us! Let’s use this time wisely, these especially difficult days, and instead of giving up hope, let’s lean in even more closely and not just take a dip-but dive head first into His Word. He has much to teach us and He wants to give us an abundant and prosperous life.

Remember, even when life is unbelievably tough, He is the Prince of peace and this gift of peace is one only he can give. It’s a peace that can exist even when our circumstances are anything but peaceful. So, lean in, take that plunge into His Word, and hold tightly to the One who’s got you!

More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. -Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬