An Encouragement For When Life Feels Heavy
Are you in the midst of a time of refining? I know I have been and it isn’t easy but in the midst of it we have the opportunity to learn an important lesson on how to trust that God is sovereign, near, good and still in control. For me, this has looked like letting go of what I thought my life would look like right now and choosing to cling to God in the unknown.
Sometimes, we can assume that because life feels chaotic or uncertain, God must not be near but that simply isn’t true. His sovereignty covers everything.
The God of the universe, who knows each star by name is not caught off guard by your struggles or mine. He is in the midst of them with both you and me. And this truth has given me so much hope.
In this post, I want to share a few verses that remind us to take heart and keep going. If you’re in a refining season, I hope these verses feel like a warm light in a dark valley.
Isaiah 40:28–31
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.”
Even when we feel like we have nothing left, God offers us supernatural strength and reminds us that our weariness is not the end. Our hope in Him, renews our strength.
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… the flames will not set you ablaze.”
We’re not promised life without trials but we are promised that we won’t face them alone. God is our protector and our living water who helps us in the deep waters.
Romans 5:3–5
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
There’s purpose in our suffering, it’s not empty or cruel. God is using it to form something lasting in us and the hope He gives will never disappoint us.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory… the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Our current trials are shaping something eternal. When we focus on the unseen, we find deeper meaning and strength in the seemingly mundane, helping us to remember that our life on Earth is only part of the story.
If you’re feeling weary, overwhelmed or unsure today, be encouraged. You are not forgotten. Your trial isn’t wasted.
God sees both you and me and although this season may feel long, I know it’s forming something more beautiful than we can both comprehend. And when it’s hard to believe, I pray these verses remind you that He is still with you.
What verses give you encouragement when you’re walking through a refining season?
Many Blessings, Grace. Xx