Hard Times

I was talking to someone recently about their depression. They said they had learned that even in the darkest times they not only recognized that God was there but that He was using this time. They are now thankful for the hard times because they know that is when they grow, even though it was not easy.

After a heavy rainfall water saturates the ground to a deeper depth. The roots, seeking moisture, follow the water and plant themselves deeper in the earth. Some say that the stress of winds cause the outer layer of a tree to grow faster to help thicken it in a shorter amount of time. After several storms a tree grows deeper and stronger. All of the wind gusts help the tree root and grow, preparing them for future storms. Like the tree, when we are going through back to back storms we are growing stronger, even if we don't see it or feel it. We can trust that God wastes nothing!

God knew we would go through dark times and troubled waters so He gave us His word to comfort us. Here are two Scriptures that you can hold on to during a dark time. Psalm 139: 11-12, "If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." What we feel is darkness is not darkness to God. He is the bright light and He will take care of us. Isaiah 43: 2-3, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." God wants us to keep our focus on Him and trust Him.