Dealing with Difficult Times
Text: Jeremiah 29:1-7;10-11
About two years ago I was going through a difficult time in my life when I read Jeremiah 29. The chapter tells the story of God’s people Judah who were in exile far in Babylon. Everything that they knew that was familiar to them had changed. They were strangers in a strange land. However, in the midst of their crisis God sent them a word through his prophet Jeremiah.
I found comfort in Jeremiah’s message to God’s people and jot down a few thoughts as I read. (Jeremiah’s message in italics.)
Life doesn’t become a frozen moment in time because you’re going through a crisis situation. Hence, you should not allow yourself to go into a holding mode. V5 Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Life still goes on and you have to go on with life in spite of what you may be going through.
The crisis doesn’t go away while your wait otherwise you’ll not be any stronger from it. You have to work through your crisis. (vs. 6) Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!(emphasis mine) It seemed strange that God was saying to his people to marry and have children during their situation but since they were to be in exile for seventy years that was the only way to ensure that they would stay strong as a people. What do you need to do to stay strong in your crisis?
Have a peaceful attitude in spite of your crisis situation. Attitude is everything in dealing with difficult situations. Do not allow yourself to become bitter. Trust God no matter how long He takes to bring you out. V7And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Sometimes crises can be a good thing. You can come out of a crises situation stronger and richer than you went into it. 10 …But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.
Whenever I’m going through difficult times I try to remember these three things.
God is with me
God thinks about me and his thoughts are always good
His thoughts for me have an expected end.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Father I thank you that every thing we need is in your word. Thank you for revealing yourself to us through your word exactly when we need it. I pray for all of my online sisters who may be experiencing difficulties of some kind in their lives right now that you will give them your peace. I pray that they will know that even in difficult situations you are there with them and that even as you delivered Judah at the appointed time so will you deliver them.
Amen my dear friend.
Bernadine- thank you for this word. I truly enjoyed the application from Jeremiah 29. Just yesterday I posted something similar called, “The Trenches”. Like your post it touched on the crisis moments in our lives and how God uses them to grow us into the people He created us and longs for us to be. And how Paul prayed three times to have his thorn removed from him and three times the Lord refused and explained, His grace was sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.
I find my spirit smiling when I see others posting about similar topics. It’s as if the Lord is saying, “See… this is from me because I’ve told it to others just as I’ve told it to you!!!”
Be blessed today dear friend. And thanks again for sharing-
Chelle’
Amen to that, Bernadine. I am having a hard time myself right now and I really needed to read this devotion this morning. It is good to know that He is always with us – no matter what we are going through.
Thank you for sharing such precious words of encouragement with us.
Blessings to you and yours…
Amen! Thanks for this awesome post! I love Jeremiah. Blessings!
oooh thank you for this one – I needed this today 🙂
Bernadine,
I read this and thought of our deari Iris. I am so glad she stopped in here. This application from the book of Jeremiah is spot on. I need to mark this in my Bible and remember this when I am in the trenches.
love you!!!
Hi Bernadine,
Thank you for this reminder, especially timely with all the crisis in our day.
Loved your recap:
“God is with me
God thinks about me and his thoughts are always good
His thoughts for me have an expected end.”
And loved your heartfelt prayer.
Thanks,
Tiffany
I love this devotional Bernadine. I have had to work through something very similar and have found that, just as you have said, it is reminding myself of who God is and what He has said He will do. I have had to learn to put my complete trust in Him no matter what the circumstances look like.