When Easy Doesn’t Live Here: Living by Faith When Life Is Hard a 7 - Day Plan By: Joy A. WilliamsSample

DAY 1: THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR DIFFICULTY

As much as I love life, I struggle when it requires more faith than I can muster. However, challenges to our faith are also a call to keep believing. (1 Peter 1:5-7) Maybe you've struggled or prayed about a situation for a while, but instead of it getting easier, it has gotten harder.

Now it's more difficult for you to trust "him" or "her." It feels less likely "it" will change or a situation that looked promising turned into something painful. You're not alone. At some point, we all grapple with what's hard. It all started with the first humans in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve were given the choice, they rejected it, knowing only the good God offered. Sadly, they chose the experience of knowing both good and evil instead. (Genesis 3:1-7)

Humanity still feels the ripple effect of Adam and Eve's choice. And yet, the power of Christ's redemption ripples throughout eternity in response to humanity's fall. Jesus invites us to come to Him in our sin, frustration, and pain to receive His forgiveness, peace, and comfort. (Matthew 11:28-‬30) ‬‬‬‬

If you've already accepted His invitation (or you're thinking about it), choosing to come to Jesus makes the difference in every difficulty. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬With Him, our problems can also become our pivot toward a grace transformation. When something is more than we can handle, that's when our faith in God can do more than we can imagine. Through Him, we find strength. In Him, we have victory.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

PRAYER: Dear Lord, whatever is hard for me, it is no match for You. Strengthen me with Your grace and empower me with Your truth. Help me to discover the beauty and power of trusting You, even when life is far from being easy. In Jesus' name, amen.