Stand strong and steadfast

How are you feeling today? Do you feel as if you are suffering? Are you struggling with life, whether it be illness, depression and anxiety, financial difficulties, abuse, loneliness, poverty, or job loss? The list could go on.

During the time of Covid 19, I have heard more and more stories from people who have struggled with a variety of things. Being locked down had a great effect on many people, myself included. It was the uncertainty of what will happen next, whether I would get back to normality, and when would I see people again.

However, even before Covid 19, many of these issues were already present. Many people were struggling with life, seeing no way out, and a never-ending path of struggles and suffering. We have become more open about these issues now. On the news there are more and more stories about mental health and domestic violence. It’s coming out more into the open, and people are asking for help.

When I first read the above scripture, the only thing I focussed on was my suffering, but as I spent some time reflecting, I started to see how God had restored, brought healing, and showed me I was never alone in my suffering, (although at times it did feel like it).

This scripture came to mind, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31:6). God was reassuring His people through Moses. He told them that He was with them. He would not leave them or forsake them, and they were not to be afraid. This applies to us today. No matter what we may go through, God is with us, giving us strength.

This may be a period of suffering for you today, or if not you, it could be a family member or a friend. What can we do? We can draw near to the Lord, ask Him to help us and give us strength, ask Him to be Lord of all areas of our lives, stand on His promise, that He will restore us, and plant our feet on the rock, and we can stand firm.

There are many scriptures where God promises to help us, give us support, and where He says, “Do not fear”. I challenge you today to ask God to speak to you. Maybe you could read out loud some scriptures of His promises and allow Him into the struggles.

Here is a scripture that we could apply to ourselves and speak over ourselves and our families and friends. ‘The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful”’ (Jeremiah 31:3-4). We are loved, no matter what we have done or are going through.