When an emotional, physical or spiritual storms hits...
1. Identify your need. What if anything can you do about it?
2. Ask God to help you. Trust that this too shall pass.
3. Have faith that God has a plan for your life & that He is in control.
4. Take things moment by moment, day by day. Don't panic, things in time will get better.
5. Ask someone you trust for good advice too. Always ask God to direct you, for sometimes even when someone cares about you and you trust them, that does not always mean they understand God's will for your life.
6. Use God's word as a light in your dark times. He sees what you are going through.
7. Thank God ahead of time for however He answers your prayers. And have patience.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
30 Reminders about life in general...
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Pay off your credit cards every month.
5. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
6. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
7. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
8. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
9. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their life is all about.
10. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
11. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
12. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
13. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
14. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time to do its work.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
22. Believe in miracles.
23. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
24. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
25. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
26. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
27. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
28. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up & show up.
29. Yield to God & others.
30. When you have done all you can do, just turn the page.
Before a storm comes your way, prepare yourself by...
Recognizing. Psalm 121:1-2 NLT says, “I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” If you know where your help comes from, you'll know where to turn to.
Pray. “Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT. When our prayer life is active it comes naturally when we are faced with storms.
Trust. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NLT. We live in a broken world and the tragedies of storms often don't make sense to us. We can trust the Lord to understand what’s going on in and around us.
Memorize Scripture. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT. When we can't see where to go God’s Word is there to guide, direct & comfort us. When we can recall His truth instantly we are able to experience that guidance, direction, and comfort no matter where we are.
But after a storm in life...
When everything else fails, the Lord is able, steadfast and faithful.
For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken, “says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NLT
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 NLT
...I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.
Jeremiah 31:13 NLT
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.” Psalm 22:24 NLT
The righteous person faces troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19 NLT
Refuge when the storms of life come...
Safety: Psalm 27:4-6;Psalm 91; Psalm 145:18-19; Proverbs 14:26; Romans 5:1-5; Colossians 3:2-4
Fear: Exodus 14:13-14; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 46:1-3
Protection: Psalm 5:11-12; Psalm 34:7-8; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 121:7-8; Romans 8:38-39
Peace: Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 5:3-12; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15a
Provision: Psalm 34:10b; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 40:28-31; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 6:25-34;
Luke 12:6-7; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:12-13; Hebrews 4:14-16
Wisdom: Proverbs 16:16; Job 28:28; James 1:5-6; James 3:17
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"HARD TIMES"
Pastor, Author, Coach, Teacher Chip Ingram
points out where to start to get the help you need in the storms in life.
View all of our many Encouraging Books
Writing not from theory but from experience, the authors come alongside others who grieve, pointing them to God’s all-sufficient grace.
Preston and Glenda Parrish experienced the sudden death of their 25-year-old son, Nathan, in the same week that Preston’s father died.
In Finding Hope in Times of Grief, the Parrishes candidly share their story and the struggles they faced, as well as how they found hope in Christ and in the pages of the Bible.
Grace that is great enough to infuse even their worst moments with His comfort.
This book will help those who grieve to know God’s presence and peace in the midst of their suffering realize that hope still exists and can be known understand that their suffering can assume a place of purpose in their life and in the lives of others Finding Hope in Times of Grief points readers to the surpassing hope we have in Christ and the comfort that comes ultimately from God Himself.
This book will also help family members and friends better understand how to support those who grieve.
Encouraging And Inspirational
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