Have you taken time to hear God’s voice today? He wants to talk to you every day and give you strength to face the challenges that come your way with hope and determination. Here are some very important truths to ponder today:
1. God cares for you
Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
When you try to do everything on your own and with your own strength, you allow pride and anxiety to take over. It is important that you humbly recognize your need and dependence on God, that you learn to leave your anxieties in his loving arms and that you wait for him to intervene in your life and in your circumstances. He is faithful, he will work!
God is always attentive to what happens to you, he takes care of you with patience and love. He loves you so much! Therefore, if you feel worried or discouraged, trust in God, he will help you.
Trust! Verses to strengthen your trust in God
2. Stay alert!
Practice self control and stay alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5:8)
You have an enemy who wants to destroy you: the devil. That is why you need to pay attention and not let him gain ground in your life. Fill yourself each day with the Holy Spirit and let him guide you and take control of your life. Even in the most intense moments of struggle when you think you can’t go on, the Holy Spirit is with you giving you strength and interceding for you.
Likewise, in our weakness the Spirit comes to help us. We don’t know what to ask for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that cannot be expressed in words. And God, who examines hearts, knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes for believers according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Do not give ground to fears or let yourself be intimidated, rather stand firm and hold on to the hand of God. If you live a life full of the Spirit you will remain alert to the attacks of the enemy and you will be able to discern what comes from God and what does not. Read the Bible, pray and seek God’s will for your life and the devil will not be able to devour you.
Prepare for the spiritual battle. Learn to wear the armor of God!
3. You are not alone
Resist it, standing firm in the faith, knowing that your brothers all over the world are enduring the same kind of suffering.
(1 Peter 5:9)
At this very moment there are many brothers in the faith suffering persecution because of Christ. Sooner or later each of us will go through some kind of rejection, mockery, disdain, or something even stronger and more painful because of our love for Jesus. Are you prepared to resist and stand firm, faithful to God and strong in faith?
Remember that you are not alone in the fight. You are united with thousands of believers around the world who are also part of it. You are part of God’s army and we have Jesus on our side. Don’t be discouraged! We are all in the battle together and in Christ we have the victory.
4. You have hope
And, after you have suffered a little while, God himself, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will restore you and make you strong, firm, and stable.
(1 Peter 5:10)
The suffering will not last forever. No matter how long it takes, at some point it will end, and then you can enjoy the restoration, strength, and all the good things that God has already prepared for you and all who persevere in him.
Jesus has already won! In it you are victorious. You should not fear the future because Jesus is with you and will give you strength. Always have hope, no matter what the circumstances are! Jesus will not abandon you.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or anguish, persecution, famine, destitution, danger, or violence? Thus it is written: “For your sake they always lead us to death; they treat us like sheep to be slaughtered!” Yet in all this we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(Romans 8:35-37)
See what these verses say about suffering
5. God loves you with an everlasting love
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
Remember how great is the love that God feels for you. He was even willing to give his Son on the cross! His love is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3)-it has not and will not end. Revel in his great love!
6. Do not worry
Why am I going to worry? Why am I going to worry? In God I will put my hope, and I will still praise him. He is my Savior and my God!
(Psalm 42:11)
In all situations the Lord is with you. He has the perfect solution and he will show you what is best. Rest in him, give him what anguishes you and put your hope in him.
Verses to renew hope in your life
7. There is provision for your needs
So my God will provide you with everything you need, according to the glorious riches that he has in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
Whatever your need is today, take it to God in prayer and trust that he will provide. God knows well what his children really need and he is able to provide. Bring your requests before him, pay attention and you will see God work.
8. Fear not
So do not fear, because I am with you; do not worry, because I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)
Faced with the challenges that this day presents to you, choose to trust God. Don’t let fear win. Remember that the Lord is with you helping you and thanks to him you will obtain victory.
9. The Lord is your rock
The Lord is my rock, my shelter, my deliverer; he is my God, the rock in which I take refuge. He is my shield, the power that saves me, my highest hiding place! I invoke the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am safe from my enemies.
(Psalm 18:2-3)
When everything in life seems to be falling apart, God is the solid rock on which you can lean and find security. Always go to him and trust in his help and protection.
10. You were created in his image
And God created the human being in his image; he created him in the image of God. Male and female he created them.
(Genesis 1:27)
You were not something that just happened: you were created in the image of God, with specific talents and with a purpose. That is the basis of your identity. Don’t be intimidated by criticism. God knows all the good in you and will use it for his glory if you let him.
11. God hears your cry
In my anguish I called on the Lord; I called my God, and he heard me from his temple; My cry reached his ears!
(2 Samuel 22:7)
Don’t forget: God always listens to you. No matter how deep your sadness or how impossible a circumstance seems, you can cry out to him. God is always attentive to the voice of his children. You can approach him and tell him what is happening to you. In due time he will work for you.
12. He does not abandon you
The Lord himself will go before you and be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
(Deuteronomy 31:8)
You have the company of the Lord at all times. He guides your steps and accompanies you all the way. Lean on him, on his strength and on his wisdom.
13. Don’t give up
He who sows with tears reaps with joy. He who weeping scatters the seed, singing gathers the sheaves from him.
(Psalm 126:5-6)
Go ahead with the work that the Lord has entrusted to you. Do not be discouraged by the apparent lack of fruit. Soon you will see the harvest! Persevere!
14. God has left you his peace
Peace I leave you; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not be distressed or cowered.
(John 14:27)
The peace that the Lord gives you is without equal. It is a peace that enables you to move forward with confidence. Receive his peace on this day!
Believe these truths and stand firm in Jesus today!