Faith is … praising God in the storm, trusting him in the valley, and following him in the darkness

No one ever said being a Christian would be easy – even Jesus told us this world would be full of trials. 

Faith is not about believing in God and being grateful when everything is going right & you are full of blessings. That’s the easy stuff. That’s the no-brainer acknowledgment. Praising God when everything is going your way isn’t exactly a hard stretch… sorry friends

True faith requires us to praise “even though”… 

Even though it’s raining. 

Even though you’re in the valley. 

Even though you’re in a dark place. 

You KNOW that God is working things out for you. That’s faith!

So,  In the worst of circumstances, in the hardest of times, in the most precarious of situations – how do you praise God in the midst of your biggest challenges?

It’s hard. Not gonna lie. 

I get so angry with God sometimes. Why can’t life be easier? Why can’t this journey be smoother? Why do other people have it easier? Why do I feel like you’re testing me? Why can’t you just change your mind or give me what I’m asking for… 

What we’re told in the Bible is that faith is confidence in the hope we have in Christ and the goodness of God. And hope is created through trials & tribulations (tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character and character, hope *Romans 5:3-5) so while we might be currently sitting in some awful, painful stuff – i want to remind you (as I remind myself) that these are the moments that God gives us (yes, GIVES us) to refine us, grow us and build our character & opportunities for hope. And if that’s not something to be grateful for, I don’t know what is. 

My prayer for you today is that you understand that no one expects you to be happy while you’re hurting. Never ever. BUT … I pray that you can allow for two things to be true at the same time – this sucks AND God is working in my life and is worthy to be praised. Sometimes it’s harder than others, and that’s ok – that’s life. But I promise that when you face your hardship with a grateful heart, your perception changes and your pain will lessen greatly. 

I love you. I have been there. I am still there often. God is good and he deserves our praise – even in the storm.

XO

Tay