Can I be blatantly honest with you?  I’ve been going through a tough season.  

I didn’t even post last week because I couldn’t think of anything inspirational to say. 

So this week, I’m laying it all out there.  Because some of you are walking a similar road.

My season has required a simultaneous juggling of situations and emotions, which is why I’m pretty sure Cirque du Soleil will be calling any day now to request my plate spinning performance to be added to their newest lineup.

Don’t worry; I’ll let them down gently.

But in all seriousness, some seasons feel this way, don’t they?

In my season, I’ve experienced grief, sorrow, frustration, waiting, perseverance, and healing.

But here’s the truth.  I’m not doing this alone.  I’ve got Jesus.

And you know what?  He’s got me.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.   – Isaiah 43:2

Thank you, Jesus.  When the going gets difficult, sometimes we need to hear this.

And you know what else I personally need to hear during times like these?  

The beautiful promise of Romans 8:28:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Amen to that.

Somewhere there is good in this, and I’m going to find it. 

And here’s where I always start.  By applying Proverbs 3:5 –

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 

That means a big NO to my woeful thinking and a big YES to God.

In times like these, I’d encourage you to park your spiritual eyes in the Psalms.  David, an expert in difficult seasons, has plenty to say about how to walk through them. 

Just this morning I stumbled upon Psalms 61 thru 63.  These were written at a desperate time for David; a time when his own son sought to kill him (that story is in 2 Samuel 15-18).

Bear in mind that as he wrote these, he was running for his life – tired, thirsty, and homeless.  Yet still, he managed to maintain faith, trust, obedience, and HOPE in God. 

This is how David approached God during his difficult season:

• • From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.   – Psalm 61:2
    

• • Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.   – Psalms 62:5-6
    

• • I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.  Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.   – Psalms 63:6-7

If ever there was roadmap for how to navigate hardship, this is it. 

As we struggle, we are to cry out to God, wait on God, hope in God, refuse to be shaken, meditate on God, AND, the most challenging of all…

We are to sing for joy.  Yes, DURING our trial.

I’m just going to state the obvious here.  Joy in the midst of a trial isn’t what we tend to pursue. 

But if David could praise God with songs of joy in his time of desperation, so can you and I.  And it’s good that we do.

Because when we praise, we have no other choice than to lay down our heavy hearts, if only for that moment. 

And when we praise, we are no longer thinking about ourselves, or our struggle.  We are thinking about God.

Don’t think for a minute that I have approached God like David every day of my difficult season. It’s a journey.  Up a slope, onto a smooth path, then another curve back onto treacherous ground.  

Hard days, better days, some of God, some of me.

But I am fighting to walk his way, and I am trusting God through it, and I believe you can do the very same thing.

Oh friend, if hardship has found its way to your door, you are not alone. 

One thing I know. . . if you’ve got Jesus by your side, you’ve already won half the battle. 

Don’t let the difficult get you.  You’ll get through that hard season.

Hold on tight, lean on Jesus, and praise him through it.

♥ Below are two worship songs that I have found especially helpful in my season, so I thought I would share them with you. ♥

The first is a declaration that God is here, he will never fail you, and you CAN have joy.  If your season has been hard, then this is a song you will want to hear:  Cody Carnes – Firm Foundation (He Won’t) (with lyrics)(2021) – Bing video

And THIS is a prayer for God’s hand over your trial.  It’s simply beautiful and filled with hope:  Jon Reddick – God, Turn It Around (Feat. Matt Maher) [Official Music Video] – Bing video

Both of these will be a lift for your soul. 

Friend, start HERE.  Praise our good God through your struggle, and, like David, lift your soul and sing for joy.