When life hurts, its easy to feel alone, forsaken and forgotten. We might even doubt God’s goodness. If you’re struggling to trust His heart, may today’s post, written by my sweet friend Becky Harling, encourage you and encourage you to find comfort in our always loving, kind, and ever-present Father.
Remembering God’s Kindness in Hard Seasons
by Becky Harling
Yesterday, I spent some time with a dear friend. We caught up and also spent time on our knees praying and worshipping. During our kneeling moments, listening to worship music and praying together, I was reminded of God’s kindness. My friend has faced many hardships—kids with cancer, a brain injury, and other challenges. Yet, her life reflects consistency in her spiritual walk. Linda is always drawn back to the kindness of God.
I know many of you are walking right now through difficult circumstances. I have heard from you and have been praying for you. God sees you and hears the cries of your heart.
This morning, as I was reading through several Psalms for the day, I was struck by the fact that when life feels challenging, we need to remind ourselves of the kindness of God. In Psalm 145 and 146, there are three reminders of God’s kindness that we need to cling to when life goes awry.
3 Reminders of God’s Kindness
The LORD is gracious and compassionate (Psalm 145:8).
Amid trying circumstances, it’s easy to forget that God’s heart is gracious and compassionate. Our circumstances might scream at us otherwise. But the Lord is tender toward us. He longs to love us in our sorrow. I have found that I need to remind myself of God’s gracious and compassionate nature. How do I do that? I praise Him with the tiny bit of faith I have that He is good, even though life doesn’t feel good. I also write down in my journal glimpses of God’s compassion. I get on my knees and listen to worship music that reminds me of God’s grace and compassion. I allow myself to borrow the faith of those who are leading the worship song, and I ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle my faith in His goodness.
The LORD remains faithful forever (Psalm 146:6).
At times, we need to declare this out loud. As we speak it with our mouths, our ears hear it, and it takes deeper root in our souls. When you are doubting God’s faithfulness, look back. Remember how He has been faithful in the past. The worship of remembrance will strengthen your faith for today. I can’t count how many times in my life, when the unexpected happens, I have looked back and remembered, “God has been faithful before. He will be faithful in this.”
The LORD is trustworthy in all of His promises (Psalm 145:13).
Paul echoed this in the New Testament when he wrote to the believers in Corinth, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). God is faithful to keep His promises. You can trust Him. When life feels challenging, make a list of some of the promises God has made. Make sure those promises are grounded in Scripture and not your imagination. But then cling to those promises and dare to praise God that He will fulfill them all.
Friend, I feel like in this season we need to reaffirm our faith in the kindness of God. No matter what’s going on in the world or in your life specifically, God’s nature has not changed. He is good, loving, and kind. Dare to believe it this week!
Get to Know Becky Harling
A best-selling author, Becky Harling has written 16 books. She is a popular speaker at conferences, retreats and other events. Becky is a John Maxwell leadership and communications coach. She has been a guest on many media outlets including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, 100 Huntley Street, Moody Radio and the Total Christ Television Today Show. Becky is the host of, The Connected Mom Podcast and loves encouraging other moms to connect more intentionally. She loves hiking with her husband, playing with her 14 grandkids, shopping with her daughters, hanging out with her son and having coffee with friends!
Visit her on her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and her Amazon author page.
Check Out Her Book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World:
Loneliness is an epidemic, but you can live life with a deep sense of belonging.
If you’ve ever felt that ache to connect and belong, you’re not alone: three out of every five people are suffering from loneliness. No group is excluded—married, unmarried, parents, pastors, leaders, elderly, and teenagers. We all experience moments . . . or long seasons of heart-aching loneliness. And it hurts. It can hurt right to the core.
In Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, relationship expert, mother, grandmother, and John Maxwell Certified Coach Becky Harling taps into the deep ache of loneliness and shares with readers a rich theology of belonging. Does God ache for us? What does it mean that we belong to Him? How do we establish a deeply bonded relationship with others? What steps can we take to improve our relationships?
Because we were made for God and for community, relational isolation or brokenness is incredibly painful. But we don’t have to live isolated and unconnected. In fact, we must not. Our souls were designed for more. Deeply rooted in Scripture and joined with reflection questions, this book shows us how we can strengthen our relationships and experience deep connection.
Grab your copy HERE.
