LONLINESS
I chose this one first because I think it's something every one deals with at some point in their lives.
We all experience our own type of loneliness. Sometimes it comes when we're physically alone, while other times that feeling comes when we're going through a hard time.
Though we may feel this way physically and emotionally, we will never be completely alone.
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
For me loneliness usually comes at night. When it's complete darkness and I'm alone in my room, I sometimes feel so scared and lonely. It's then I have to remind myself what God has promised his children. He is with us and will strengthen us. You are never alone.
FEAR
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Fear has become one of the greatest struggles we face as humans.
A lot of times we live in fear without even realizing it.
Fear of the future. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the world we live in.
Our first instinct when something's not going how we think it should is to fear.
God doesn't want us to live this way. He clearly states he has not given us a spirit of fear.
We should strive not to fear, but to have a sound mind. Know that God is in control.
TRIALS
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Psalms 28:7 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
As Christians, we will undoubtedly face trials and hard times. There's no way around it.
How can God allow people who love and serve him to go through so much physically?
Sometimes it may seem the bad outweighs the good. It can be hard for us to accept that the trials we go through will change who we are for the better.
God has a plan and purpose for every thing we go through.
SEASONS
One of the hardest things for me in my early twenties, has been finding contentment in my season.
The season I'm currently in is not the first season I've experienced and it wont be the last.
As we grow spiritually and physically we all face different seasons at different times.
It can be hard to accept and embrace the change, but we must.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
TEMPTATIONS
Temptations are something we all must endure at some point in life. In fact, we usually face them every day. Some may be as simple as being tempted to eat something we know we shouldn't, while others may be more sinful in nature.
When I find myself in this position, I often think of the following verses:
1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
6) James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
STRESS AND WORRY
Stress and worry are feelings we experience on a daily basis.
We stress about the things we need or want. We worry about what the day is going to bring. It's a constant mind game which can be very hard to escape.
When I find myself stressed or worried I try and remember that God doesn't make mistakes. I find myself going back to this passage of scripture during those stressful times.
Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
FALSE THOUGHTS
When I was younger I struggled daily with false thoughts.
At one point, the false thoughts had nearly taken over me.
I felt as if I had no control over them and it was very defeating.
I share more about this in my blog "Getting Rid of False Thoughts" if you would like to read more.
Since that time, I have committed the whole chapter of Philippians 4 to heart.
Of that whole chapter these are the verses I have clung to most.
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I hope all of these verses can encourage you the way they have encouraged me.
I would suggest finding the passage of scripture that truly brings you encouragement, committing it to heart, and clinging to it when you need it most.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;"
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