Isaiah 43:2, James 1:2-4

Lucy Paculabo Mhondera

"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." Isaiah 43:2

We all face difficulties and troubles at different stages of our life. At times we try to face the problems on our own and can end up overwhelmed and drowning in them. In Isaiah 43:2 the Lord says 'I will be with you'. If we try to tackle our problems on our own we are sure to fail, but if we ask God to help us, He will see us through and walk beside us.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

In James 1:2 it doesn't say if you face trials, but when you face them. James tells us here to 'consider it pure joy'. Now I know it's hard to be joyful in times of trouble and it can feel impossible, but what James is saying here is to have a positive outlook on the situations you face, to learn from them and to see them as an opportunity to grow.

Romans 5:2-5 says. "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

God has many plans for our lives and our hope grows as we learn the promises He has for us. We experience difficulties which enable us to grow and we rejoice in our suffering, not because we like to go through painful experiences but because we know God is shaping us and using life's difficulties to build our character. It develops our perseverance and strengthens us, deepening our trust and faith in God. The Holy Spirit has been given to us as our guide and helper. We must ask Him to help us in times of need.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 37-39

Hard times can cause us to feel abandoned, but in Romans 8 it tells us how it is impossible to be separated from the love of God. Nothing can separate us from His constant love and presence. God tells us how great His love is for us so that we can feel totally secure in Him. No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are, no matter what happens to you, you can never be separated from His love.

Nothing is ever too big for God, whatever you are going through He wants to help. He is just waiting for you to ask Him. Ask God for great things, there's nothing you can't pray about. He cares about everything that concerns you. Place your hope in Him and let His strength rise within you. During the hard times thank God for promising to be with you, He will never leave you alone, be patient, trust and wait on Him.

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31