You’re gonna make it through this.
The truth is I don’t really want someone to tell me that. It feels patronizing or condescending. It feels like they don’t really know how painful, stressful, confusing or depressing it is.
We do of course need to remind each other of this.
We also need to remind ourselves of this.
Now, one thing I want to avoid here is the kind of “motivational speaker pep talk” that sometimes accompanies this phrase.
The reality is that based upon outward circumstances, the evil attacks of the devil and the fickle, weak, selfish and limited nature of humanity: there is no way for you to make it through this (at least not with any sense of wholeness, peace or joy).
But that is where this article may differ from other articles about you making it through.
You can’t make it through alone. You won’t make it through just by keeping your chin up, thinking positive thoughts and putting one foot in front of the other. You may actually find yourself worse off in the future…unless…
Unless you look to the Lord Himself for strength.
With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)
Now hear me out…I don’t mean that quoting a few Bible verses and posting a few cliche’ memes on Facebook is going to get you through this.
It doesn’t work that way.
You and I need the supernatural, all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly-loving, holy presence of the God of the universe to swoop into our lives and save us from this mess!!
You and I need a “come to Jesus” meeting where we really “come to Jesus”. We need to tell Him how mad we are. And how lonely. And how frustrated. And how discouraged.
We need to tell Jesus how tired we are. And how it feels like no one cares (or understands). We need to admit we can’t do it alone. We need to admit that our efforts have been in vain and that many of our efforts have been selfish, and that we feel like we are going nowhere fast.
God can bring us through. He wants to. He is waiting to answer your and my plea for help.
So here is what you can do:
- Tell God everything you are upset about (every circumstance, person, failure or offense)
- Admit to God everything you have thought you might do (on your own) to fix (or avoid) the problem
- Pour out all of your emotions before HIm (the good, bad and ugly – He is big enough, He can handle it)
- Ask Him to give you strength, courage and good cheer
- Read His Word
- Write down His promises (post-it notes, 3×5 cards, etc) and place them around in various places so you can see them and be reminded of them frequently
- Talk to other Christians about your struggle
- Find one or more people to serve/bless
This list of things won’t fix the problem. Only God can do that. But these are some things you can do that will help you fix your eyes on Jesus and Jesus can bring the victory!
Say this to yourself (outloud if you can): “With God, I am going to make it through this. God loves me, He is for me. With God, I am going to make it through this”
You are loved! I pray you come quickly through this time with joy and peace and with your eyes ever fixed on Jesus.
May you receive His grace and peace in abundance this week
Mike J
Pastor Michael Johnson 