New Reminders: Strength for Hard Times
by Ardith Hoff
We have all experienced difficulties of one kind or another. Sometimes we feel weak when we have physical, emotional or financial problems. We might even feel helpless when things seem beyond our control. We may be getting older or have an illness or injury that leaves us weak and unable to do what we think we want or need to do. We might have someone emotionally close to us who needs our help, but are we not able to do anything to help them, because of distance or other factors that stand in our way. When a loved one dies, we may be in a state of shock and grief and might feel unable to think clearly or even able to function fully in our daily lives. When we are between jobs, or have had unexpected expenses, our inability to pay our bills and provide for our own or our family’s needs, we might feel overwhelmed or even desperate.
Whatever the circumstances of our distress, it might be hard to remember that we are not alone. There are others around us who can give us advice, who might be able to point us in the direction of the right kind of help or just encourage us to remain calm in the midst our difficult situation. There are social services designed to help people in need or who find themselves without the resources to help themselves or others whom they love. Sometimes, just the touch of a sympathetic hand can bring us solace. Just the right words of encouragement can bring us great peace of mind. Whether we are the one receiving or providing the comforting touch or words, there is one other source of hope and strength that can be the most helpful of all. Here are five Bible verses that tell us where we can turn for hope and comfort:
2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”
Psalm 73:26 —"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Nehemiah 8:10 —"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 46:5 — “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
All too often, we get so absorbed in our own difficulty or pain, that we fail to avail ourselves of the most powerful source of comfort and peace––God Himself, who has promised to provide the strength, courage and endurance we need to face and conquer whatever comes our way.