Friday, February 19.

How do you respond in times of crisis? If you’re like most people, it’s probable that your attention is immediately focused on the situation rather than on God. But by forgetting the Lord and relying on your own resources to solve the problem, you’ll miss the opportunity for trust in Him to grow.

If King Jehoshaphat had wrung his hands in fear instead of concentrating on God’s greatness and past provision, Jerusalem might have been captured by the invading armies. But he turned to the Lord, knowing that no problem was bigger than the God of heaven. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat magnified the Lord’s greatness, recalled His mighty works, and asked for divine protection. Trusting God with the dire situation, the king said, “Our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

When you encounter trouble and distress and don’t know what to do, remember this moment in Jehoshaphat’s life, and fix your eyes on your mighty God. Read a passage of Scripture that describes His greatness, recount all the ways He has led and protected you, and ask Him to accomplish His good will in this situation. Then rest in His faithfulness, trusting Him to guide you.

Memory verse: Hebrews 12:1.

“When you believe in your purpose you can work through obstacles, overcome disappointments, endure hardship.” Billy Cox

Thursday, February 18.

We’ve been living in difficult times lately, and the more tumultuous life becomes, the easier it is to be self-centered. Even though the future is uncertain, we can’t afford to let ourselves be consumed with fear and anxiety regarding how we might be affected.

God wants us to get our mind off ourselves and onto Him because He is our rock and refuge in trouble. When we rely on our own limited perspective, confusion and hopelessness are the likely outcome. Instead, we must look at the greatness, promises, and purposes of our God as revealed in His Word, because divine truth is our anchor in the storms of life.

Think about how the early church responded to their turbulent time. They went forward boldly, even willing to lose their life, because they knew the gospel was the only hope for a lost world. When persecution broke out against them in Jerusalem, they scattered and took the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:1-4). God doesn’t want us to retreat from the world and focus on ourselves in times of crisis or instability. This is our opportunity to give hope to others through the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Memory verse: Acts 8:7.

“If we believe tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Wednesday, February 17.

Although pastors are called to care for the needs of people in the church, this duty is not theirs alone. And it has nothing to do with the size of the pastoral staff. The entire congregation is to be involved in caring for each other.

Every Christian is equipped to serve other believers. First, God has distributed spiritual gifts that enable His followers to minister in the particular ways He’s determined for each one. And second, you may have experienced challenges similar to those facing another believer, which specially qualifies you to empathize, encourage, and strengthen that person. As you pray for your pastor and congregation, ask the Lord how He would have you share the load and help meet people’s needs.

The church is a network of shoulders supporting the collective weight of everyone’s troubles. When you dive in and help hold a sister’s burden, a brother takes on a bit of yours. Although your contribution might feel small and go unnoticed by all but the individual who is helped, your heavenly Father sees and will reward you for following His command.

The next time you go to church, ask God to direct you to those who could use your help. When you extend the hands of Jesus, people find rest for their weary heart.

Memory verse: Galatians 6:2.

“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary journey.” C. S. Lewis

Tuesday, February 16.

At some point, all of us struggle under the weight of a difficult situation. It might be a sin we cannot overcome, a trial that just doesn’t let up, or a need that remains unmet. However, there’s no need to struggle through it alone, because we have the support of fellow believers as we bear one another’s burdens.

There is an example of this in the book of Acts. Christians of the early church pooled their resources to help meet the material and financial needs of believers who were in poverty (Acts 4:32-35). Paul also displays this concern for others’ welfare in his various letters to growing churches. He knew it was his responsibility and privilege to strengthen them even though he was repeatedly undergoing his own hardships and afflictions.

We can’t wait until life is free from problems before reaching out to others—that day may never come. Though every one of us has his or her own needs, it’s important to remember we can do all things through Christ’s strength. And that includes sharing someone else’s burden.

When we’re willing to wade into a fellow believer’s troubles to help, that person is blessed, and we’re fulfilling the Lord’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Memory verse: Acts 4:32.

“At the end of hardship comes happiness.” Korean Proverb

Monday, February 15.

In the book of Hebrews, we find encouragement for God’s people to persevere and draw near to Him. When facing all kinds of difficulties, many of us have a tendency to power through in our own strength. But the reality is, that’s never effective, at least not for long. Instead, God wants us to come closer to Him.

All too often, our frustrations about life impact our ability to submit to God and be intimately connected with Him. Trusting our Father requires humility. We must remember He alone knows all. But we also need to keep in mind that He loves us more than anyone can grasp.

When we stay focused on Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing He’ll lead us through the hard places (Isaiah 41:10-13). As you continue walking with Him, trust that He already knows what will happen in your life, and that regardless of what lies ahead, He will never leave you.

Memory verse: Isaiah 41:10-13.

“There is no success without hardship.” Sophocles