What To Keep in Tough Times

Hurt.

Grief.

Heartbreak.

I think we all have “been there” at one point or at many points in our lives. It would take pages to list the plethora of situations that cause the tribulations we will inevitably face. We know that tough times come, but no matter how hard we try to prepare, still we easily can feel blindsided and then alone.

One thing I know for sure is that, when it is our turn to suffer, we believe no one can quite understand how we feel when we are in the middle of it—and we would be right. The level of pain or brokenheartedness we experience cannot be explained or understood. My dad once said, “Different people create different kinds of relationships.” With that thought, I would say that different heartbreaks create different kinds of hurts in different people. Heartbreak can bring this feeling of utter loneliness that cannot be described. Inevitably, we each must travel our own unique road through trials, and it can be a lonely journey.

My mind goes to the story in Genesis that follows the life of Joseph. His early, formative years were spent as the apple of his father’s eye. He was the favored son who knew no hurt but only love. Then, his entire life was ripped away in less than a day. He lost his family, future, and way of life. He experienced the betrayal of his brothers, separation from his parents, undoing of his future, and loss of his freedom. I imagine that he wondered each morning that he woke up in slavery if it would be his last day on earth. Would his captors throw him in another pit, or worse?

We know from God’s Word that his captivity was only the beginning of his tough times. He was falsely accused, then thrown into prison. He languished in prison long after he should have been released because the cupbearer forgot him. Joseph unjustly suffered for years. He did nothing to deserve the hand of life he had been dealt.

How did Joseph make it? How did he not give up over years and years of unjust persecution? After all, there were no encouraging pats on the back, no friends’ shoulders to cry on, no understanding church family to tell him to “keep going,” and no resources to teach him how to carry his heartbreak. There were no classes, no counseling sessions, and no support groups. He was the poster child for unfair treatment. He was hated, betrayed, persecuted, enslaved, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. He had every excuse to quit.

However, Joseph never did. Why? Joseph used the ONLY thing he had that could not be taken from him. It was the one thing that only he could give away or set aside. He held on to his faith in God.

Through the tears, hurt, and fear, his faith remained. It may have been small at times. Perhaps, he wondered if it was enough. The key was that he did not forsake it. He never gave up on believing God was faithful. He did not understand all the “whys” of what life had dealt him, but in the end, he told his brothers that God meant it unto good.

He never stopped believing that God would come through for him, even while enduring years of unjust treatment and unfortunate circumstances. He never got bitter or pointed fingers. He never tried to get others to advocate for him and never went on a personal crusade for justice. Instead, he stayed focused on the only One Who could deliver him. We know Joseph was not perfect, but his life story stands as a testimony of a man who never forsook his faith.

Friend, perhaps this past year has been a rough one for you. You feel the loneliness of heart that comes from being hurt beyond understanding. Yes, you are allowed to hurt, and you are allowed to mourn and cry. Whatever you do, though, do not lose your faith. Remember that God is faithful. He will always come through for you in His perfect time. Understand that, although you may never understand all the “whys,” God promises to preserve His children.

When I am battling the tough times, I always go read two of my favorite verses, found in Isaiah 43. Verses 1-2 say, But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Even in the darkest of times, we have never been alone. He is always with us, preserving us and allowing us to continue serving Him. Let us keep our faith in the One Who has always been there and will continue to be there with us. One day, may we have held to our faith through it all as Joseph did so that we also can say, …but God meant it unto good,…

by Tracie S. Burns

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