Life can be challenging; we’re going to experience times when we’re under pressure, struggling, or weighed down by the tasks ahead. It’s important that we learn to recognise times when we need to ask for support; but as well as that, the Bible has some advice for helping us cope when life gets difficult, and get us closer to the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10. Paul tells us, ‘Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NCV). We need to try and rejoice in the things that never change, can’t fail, and won’t let us down (like God’s promises!). When we feel like we can’t cope, one of the best things we can do is pray. And another great strategy is to try and live every day with a prayerful heart! With every breath, say, ‘I trust You, Lord; I’m handing this moment over to You, because I know You have everything under control.’ And don’t forget to give thanks. Whenever we start getting pulled into a cycle of complaining, let’s redirect our focus to thanking God for everything He’s already blessed us with. And He has so many more blessings still to come! There’ll be times when we think we’re going to fail, we’re never going to make it, and we’ll want to give up on the goal we’ve been aiming at for so long. But keep trusting and leaning on God’s strength – one day we’ll look back and be amazed at how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved. On the other side of the Red Sea, looking back, the Israelites declared that the Lord was their strength, their song, and their salvation (see Exodus 15:2). And that’s what He is to every one of us!
