Difficult Times, Powerful Testimonies

When walking through a particularly difficult time, it is all too easy (and common) to rush through as quickly as possible to get it over with and onto the good parts of life.

I, myself, have done it several times throughout my life. I just try to “push through”, “get it over with”, or on the flip side, just shut down completely.

In difficult times it is so much easier to speed through the bad or even just ignore it altogether. I tend to shut down and let the difficulty overtake me, I give my emotions too much credit and attention.

When in reality our hearts are deceptive and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10) and they are perfectly happy staying in a comfortable place where nothing is changing or hard.

But God does not want that for us. He wants us to go through the difficult times in life in the appropriate amount of time and feel them fully.

Because when we let in all of the good and all of the bad, it allows Him to be there for us fully. We cannot limit God, so why even try?

I wanted to share a few testimonies from the amazingly resilient women the Lord has placed in my life. I am forever thankful for their presence in my life and continual love and support. Looking at how they navigate life and rely fully on God, encourages me constantly.

I reached out to my mother and mother-in-law initially to hear how their difficult seasons and experiences have brought them closer to the Lord and impacted their spiritual growth.

The testimonies they shared with me were incredible and encouraging. They both spoke to times in their lives where they felt completely alone.

People around them had abandoned or betrayed them, and they couldn't understand why the Lord would allow this. In the midst of these life-changing events, they sought out the Lord.

“Throughout all of this we could see the Lord working in her and our lives to remedy the situation” —Mary

In both of these situations, the Lord showed them that He never left and never would.

“It has been 12 years since then. Life hasn't been easy but Jesus has been my comfort and sure foundation” — Dolores

I also reached out to my sister, cousin and close friend. They shared different stories of heavy, life changing times in their lives, where the Lord made Himself known.

My sister and friend spoke of times where they were unsure how to proceed with their career-paths. They felt unsure and ‘tossed about’ with no clear direction.

“I was so upset because I thought this was what God had led me to. If this is what he wanted for me then why was this happening and why did I feel this way”—Mekayla

In these times, they leaned on the Lord and He sustained them fully. They felt lost and didn't know what the Lord had planned for them. But the Lord was showing them where to go, they needed to just devote themselves to Him and His will fully.

“My prayers became more honest, my faith less about feelings and more about reliance” —Caitlin.

My cousin's testimony is one of God speaking loud and clear. Literally. Her youngest daughter started experiencing health problems, with no clear reasons. She was scared and confused, but God was right there in it with her.

“God actually spoke to me. He told me to take her to the hospital now!” — Marcy

God is with us in our big and small moments. He carries us through the most difficult times and wants to show us we can be resilient and strong during these times.

Hearing testimonies of faith and resilience in hard times is how we can grow in our own faith and glorify the Lord. Sharing the good and bad parts of our lives are what get us through it.

Acting like everything is good or okay always is not reality, and can be insulting to God. He is a God who is glorified through pain and hard times.

In 2 Corinthians Paul shares with us, “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)