The
Bible doesn’t promise us that life with Jesus is easier. The difference
is that when life gets hard, we have somewhere to turn for strength,
courage, hope, and peace.
Here are seven passages to keep handy when facing crises:
- James 1:2–4
“Count
it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you
know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing.”
The Bible tells us to remain joyful not because we know what happens next, but because we know the end.
We will be stronger when we reach the other side. Each trial is an
opportunity to step closer to perfection—complete and utter dependence
on and trust in God.
- Matthew 11:28–30
“Come
to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light.”
When
asked what the greatest commandment of the law is, Jesus said: one, love
God, and two, love others. He continued, “On these two commandments
depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36–40).
When we focus on what really matters to God, it simplifies our lives.
Jesus cut through hundreds of Jewish laws to reveal that they could all
be reduced to these two simple commands. When life feels complicated and
heavy, Jesus says, “Come to me” so he can lighten the load.
- Philippians 4:6–7
“. . .
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The
peace of God doesn’t make sense. The NIV translation says it “transcends
all understanding.” It’s beyond, higher than, out of reach of all
understanding. We can be calm in the midst of complete chaos when we
have that peace—and it protects
us. Jesus guards our hearts against anxiety and stress by filling us
with a peace that the world can’t understand (because it doesn’t come
from this world).
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No
temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able
to endure it.”
Sin
wants to hide. It wants to bury itself in our hearts and make us feel
alone in our temptation. Your life is unique—the temptation you face is
not. The world is full of brothers and sisters in Christ who share in
your struggles with sin. Fight it together, and most importantly, invite
God into the struggle. The way out may not always be easy, but God
promises it will always be there.
- Hebrews 2:18
“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Jesus
never sinned. When we hear that, sometimes it’s easy to feel like we
have to hide our sin from him—like he doesn’t know what it’s like to be a
sinful, broken human being. Make no mistake—Jesus suffered when he was
tempted. He knows how you feel when you’re torn between your desire to
do what’s right and the sinful desires in your heart (Romans 7:15). Because he can identify with your pain, he can help you.
- Psalm 23:1–6
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the lord
forever.”
Sheep
trust their shepherd. Experience and the surrounding flock tell the
sheep that wherever the shepherd leads, they will be provided for. Even
as the valley gets dark, rocky, and difficult, the sheep trust the
shepherd to lead them out of it. For me, this passage is a reminder that
even when I have no idea what’s going on or where my life is going, God
is in charge, and I can trust him.
- Matthew 6:25–34
“Therefore
I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or
what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds
of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet
your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of
life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God
so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is
thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little
faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek
after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need
them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore
do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for
itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Verse 27
really puts things in perspective: “And which of you by being anxious
can add a single hour to his span of life?” In other words, what do you
gain by being anxious? Food and clothing are valid concerns. God knows
you need them. But he doesn’t want you to be anxious about them. Anxiety is an internal state of being, and it doesn’t change our external circumstances. See Philippians 4:6–7, and let God replace that anxiety with peace, trusting that God knows your needs.
Source: Faith Life
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