3 Truths to Encourage Your Heart

There have been a few occasions lately when I have been hesitant to verbalize my thoughts about God’s faithfulness with friends who are struggling.

I wholeheartedly believe that remembering God’s sovereignty and trustworthiness can encourage us in even the darkest of situations. And yet I’ve hesitated because I don’t want my expression of truth to sound like a cliché, especially to someone who is hurting.

It gets a little tricky, right?

Truth is truth. But even bedrock spiritual principles can seem less than helpful when they’re thrown out in the wrong setting, in the wrong way or by the wrong person.

At the same time, just because certain theological phrases or Bible verses have been tossed about flippantly far too often, it doesn’t mean we should disregard them, does it?

To answer this question, I go back to conversations I’ve had when I was the one needing encouragement. I think of friends who have sat across the table from me at the coffee shop or huddled close in the church lobby, nodding or listening with tears in their eyes as I described my situation.

Those tears weren’t there because my friends felt sorry for me. They were there because these women have been where I am, or—in the midst of their own unique trials—they have experienced similar feelings of fear, anxiety or sadness.

When one of these friends speaks about trusting God or tells me how He has sustained her during her toughest days, I believe her. I don’t hear clichés when she speaks; I see evidence of God’s faithfulness. And it refreshes my own weary spirit.

Here’s what I’ve been realizing over the years. Truth doesn’t change, but it does grow on you and in you. Over time, as you observe God’s working in your life and in the lives of other people, truth settles into your mind and starts filling up the cracks in your soul.

You start to understand—from scripture and by experience—that God’s ways are not our ways. He is not bound by our expectations. He’s not obligated to fulfill our desires. His designs are perfect, but they often look nothing like ours.

Maybe you’re like me, tired of all the spiritual hashtags and hungering for some truth that will strengthen you for the next step. If so, I have some thoughts.

I don’t know if your situation is going to turn out how you want. It might get worse before it gets better. It might get worse instead of getting better. But if I were sitting across the table from you at the coffee shop, this is what I would want you to remember.

• God is good.

Yes, He is. But not just when our prayers are answered or something amazing happens in our lives.

We might look around at the awful things that happen in this world and wonder, How could a good God allow that? There’s no answering that question, not really. All we can do is take comfort in knowing that His goodness—which is as much a part of His character as His sovereignty—somehow permeates and informs everything He ordains and allows. Including those hard things that happen to us.

• God is faithful.

God’s great faithfulness is a recurring theme throughout scripture. He is faithful when we are tempted. His faithfulness shields us. It extends from generation to generation. It is eternal and constant, even when our faith is weak or nonexistent.

Remembering this helps. It really does.

• God has a purpose.

For the overwhelming seasons we’re in, the specific trials we are struggling through, the difficult people who are in our lives—all of it. No matter how bleak things seem right now, this can be our hope and prayer: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Let’s Have Coffee, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash