Key scripture – “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16).

A Christian stands out more than in times of calamity than any other time.

Sometimes we think that it is in times when all is going well that God’s hand is most evident in our lives, that may be true from our perspective, but what shows the world the reality of Christ in our lives is not the times when all is going well, but the times when everything is turning bad because that is when God is most near us.

The world knows all about joy and happiness and generosity in times of blessing. Blessing brings those same things out in them. But what the world knows nothing of is joy and happiness and generosity when you are battling cancer or your finances are depleted or your marriage is in trouble or your child is going down the wrong path. They don’t know anything about the nearness of God in the midst of suffering.

What the world trusts in is their good circumstances. When those good circumstances disappear they are left groping, with nothing to trust in. That is when they notice the difference God makes in a person’s life! That is why suffering and sickness and financial straights are often a part of God’s plan for our lives. He wants people to see the difference He makes in our lives.

The struggle and trials that you are going through are making you stronger. We are like a butterfly when it is struggling to get out of a cocoon. If you help it by cutting a slit in the side of the cocoon, the butterfly will fall out, lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapse and die.

The struggle to break free from the cocoon is the strength the butterfly needs to fly. Like the butterfly, God doesn’t want you to live weak and die feebly. He wants you to grow and mature, which is what happens as we go through trials and we lean on and rely on His promises and we trust in Him.

Whatever you are going through right now are you using this time to get closer to God by relying on Him more deeply, to get strengthened by Him, and stand on and test the promises in His Word?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I thank You for the trials and struggles in my life because through them I have experienced Your glory and grace. Help me to always remember when I am faced with trials, to call and cry out to You immediately. I know that all that I need to do is say, “Jesus, help me! I am scared. Show me what to do. I need You. Let me feel Your presence and peace.” I will not fret and worry because it only leads to evil. I will replace all fear and anxiety with Your Word. I will take all the negative bad thoughts captive and put them under the authority of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 10:5). I will cast all my burdens on You, I commit my ways to You, and I will wait on You Lord. I will not run ahead, I will wait for Your direction and deliverance. I know that You will show me the way because You are my Shepherd. Your understanding is unsearchable, You give power to the faint, and when I have no might You increase my strength. I will mount up on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.