Much like the shifting high and low temperatures of the weather, there are ebbs and flows within our lives. One moment we feel as though we are on top of the world only to blink and find ourselves in a pit of heartache and despair.
Recently, I found myself reflecting on the various trials and tribulations that many in my church family are enduring. I found myself in study of His Word for ways to prayerfully provide comfort to anyone regardless of the type of storm they might find themselves.
If you currently are struggling to find hope and comfort I pray you will take a few moments to isolate yourself and spend time in meditation and prayer. Please carefully consider what God might be trying to say to you and your situation. Do not lose heart for He cares for you!
God is Sovereign
“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19
The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy, His infinite rule, His authority and power. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature in authority, nature, and being, He is the Most High Lord of heaven and earth and all creation. God’s sovereignty means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God, as well as a cause of worship (See Ps. 48:1; 95:3, 6).
God has plans for us. 
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. Jeremiah 29:11
God gave His people a “gracious promise” to deliver them, and He would keep His promise. The same is true for us today. God makes His plans for His people, and they are good plans that ultimately bring hope and peace. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid or discouraged. In every situation, however, God’s people have the responsibility to seek the Lord, pray, and ask Him to fulfill His promises.
God grants us the strength to persevere.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus is encouraging the disciples, stating that he has overcome and they too can overcome. The victory that overcomes the world is stated in 1 John 5:4-5. It is the ones who believe in Jesus as the Son of God who share this victory. Christians today still have tribulations and trouble with the world; however; they can overcome by their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
See also Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalm 126:5-6
God will not give you more than we can handle.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Paul assures Christians that with God’s help, man can overcome any temptation that he encounters. God has limited Satan so that he cannot force one to sin. God permits temptations for Christian’s strengthening, not for their destruction. Satan is trying to break Christians while God is trying to make Christians.
God is always with us.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Though Jesus is about to ascend to haven, he promised the disciples he will be with them until the end of the world. Jesus’ work on earth is about to end. However; when he ascends into heaven, he will be crowned King of kings. He will rule his kingdom, the church. He also will be the great High Priest of Christians throughout the Christian Age. Christ is the Mediator between God and man. Christ continues the help his people until the end of the world.
See also Psalm 9:9-10; John 14:18; Revelation 21:1-4
God gave us each other for support.
“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
Members of the household of faith are to love one another and seek to build each other up. They are to be concerned about each other. They are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. This is the way the physical body functions. If one hurts his foot, the whole body is affected. Therefore, we must take our eyes of ourselves and find ways to show love and support to others thus bring glory to God and His church.
See also 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 12:15
God gives us trials to strengthen our faith.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
As Christians, we are to be joyful when we have trials. God does not say the trials are joyful but to be joyful when we have them. It is the joy of the person who is at peace with God. It is joy because he knows good can come from the trials (Romans 8:28). The joy of the Christian comes not because of what happens to the Christian. The joy comes because of who and what the Christian is. The great virtues of Christianity come out of the soils of diversity. The Christian does not grow bitter because of what happens to him. Instead he realizes the Lord is utilizing this time to make him better.
God gives us His Word for comfort and counsel.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. Romans 15:4
When one reads and studies the Old Testament, he sees that God always kept his word, while all his prophecies and promises came to pass. This is the same God we serve today. He still keeps his word and his promises and prophecies will be fulfilled. The hope Christians have will become a reality one day. A study and belief in the scriptures will produce this hope.
See also Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God gives us the avenue of prayer to communicate our struggles.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
When Christians meet the conditions God has laid down for prayer, they have the assurance God will answer their prayers. God will answer the Christian’s prayer in accordance with His will and the Christian’s best interest. The Christian must bend their will to God’s will.
See also Matthew 7:7-8; Isaiah 30:19
God grants the faithful eternal life free from pain and anguish.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
God will be there to look after and care for us personally. The blessedness of being with him is described with give things that characterize life on this earth. There will be no more tears, no more death, no mourning, no weeping, and no pain. These things caused sorrow to Christians on earth, but they are no more.
If you find yourself going through a difficult time, always know that the Lord cares deeply for you. I pray that through your storm, you can lean upon Jesus so that He will provide peace, hope, and joy in your life as you persevere. May the Lord bless you richly!
My Glimpses of Glory 
Phyllis Wood
December 20, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Thank you Kevin for your writing. I have been struggling a bit with this latest setback. The rollercoaster ride is getting old. Your thoughts and the scriptures renewed my spirit and brought the blessings of being a child of God to the forefront once again. I hadn’t forgotten just was giving into the struggle and you reminded me where my focus should be.