One thing that is most certain in life is this: Life is not always certain. If we’ve lived long enough, we know this to be true, for nothing ever remains the same in this world.
Things change. Life takes a turn. Plot twists happen. People move. Time goes by. Kids grow up. We may experience deep or unexpected loss.
And sometimes our footsteps falter on things we’ve depended on so very much, but really aren’t meant to fully support us.
Doubt sets in.
Maybe we can't see what God is doing. Or the difficult times cause us to wonder if He really cares or even hears us. Maybe we've been left wondering if we're hearing Him right. The future starts to look uncertain, the path gets blurred, and we're not sure if we're even heading in the right direction.
Other times life just gets hard. It seems an uphill climb; we're drained and weary. Battle after battle leaves us wondering if we've been left on our own.
His Truth reminds us that He's with us, always. Our "with us" God will never leave us or turn away. He holds us through the fiercest struggles and brings peace to uncertain times.
10 Promises to Cling to when Life Takes a Turn
1. God is with you wherever you go.
He reminds us not to fear but to find strength and courage in Him. The very fact that our powerful Lord, who created the world, healed the sick, raised the dead, and opened up the seas so His people could walk through on dry ground, is still with us today, should give us extraordinary hope - no matter what we’re up against.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
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2. God is our refuge, our safe place.
He reminds us to dwell, to abide, in Him because that is where true rest is found, no matter what we may face in this life. That word “dwell” means “to continually abide there, to keep living there,” not just to come and go as we want. Constant fellowship with Him is crucial, we need Him every minute, every hour, every day.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
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3. God is always fighting for us.
Sometimes it’s easier to look around us at all that is wrong rather than to keep our eyes on God. But if we’re constantly looking “out” instead of “up,” we’ll always be left feeling defeated or afraid. God reminds us that He fights for us, and no battle is too big for Him. Not ever. We can trust Him.
“This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15
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4. God goes ahead of us and makes a way for us.
When the way seems unclear, when things have changed in our circumstances and we don’t know what to do, we can be assured that God is still leading us. He never leaves us on our own to figure it all out. His word reminds us that He is the One who holds our hand, and He goes before us, paving out new pathways, opening doors, and healing broken places so we can walk through.
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
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5. God gives us peace the world can never give.
We will never find full peace in what this world has to offer. And though we may know that in our heads, we often still seem to seek to find peace here, in people, job security, money, or possessions. We often want to live “comfortably,” we don’t want to struggle. But Jesus reminded us that we’ll most certainly face troubles in this life. This world is not a perfect place. We will all face hard times and difficult circumstances at some point. His reassurance of these words can carry us through anything, He has overcome it all. We can find true peace through Jesus alone.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
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6. God will bring hope and purpose from our trials and sufferings
Often the hard times can leave us feeling like we have no hope, no future, no plan. But God breaks through all those lies the enemy would want to heap over us, and reminds us that He certainly knows our way. And His plans are good, every single one. He’s the only One who can turn our mess and hardship into a beautiful message. He brings hope and purpose, even in the darkest times we’ve walked through. He will never waste our pain, but will use it instead for our good and for His glory.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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7. His peace will cover us when we bring our fears and worries to Him.
When we’re battling a struggle, it’s hard sometimes not to worry. Everything within us seems to drift to the “what if’s” and “why’s” in whatever it is we’re facing. God’s words bring life and peace. He understands how prone we are to worry and fear, He reminds us we have to choose not to be driven by anxiety. But instead we are to pray, choose gratefulness, bring all our needs to Him. And His peace will guard our hearts and minds.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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8. God gives us His armor as protection from temptations.
Often the battles we face are more about what is unseen, than what is seen. Without the armor of God protecting us and His Spirit breathing through us, we will certainly fall in the struggles. God reminds to stay strong in Him, to put on the full armor, so we’re empowered to stand strong against anything the enemy may through our way. Stay always alert, you can be sure the devil is constantly on the prowl and loves to trip us up when we’re not aware. Don’t let him win.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12
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9. God’s love for you is unending, unfailing, unchanging.
You can never outrun His presence, you can never make Him stop caring or loving you. He chases us with His goodness, and gives us constant reminders of His love, even through the hardest times. Sometimes we don’t see it, we may miss it, or be so consumed in our struggle that we believe the lie He’s left us. Look up again, be reminded He’s still there, He never left, never will, and though the whole world be shaken, He still will love you.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
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10. There is no safer place to be when we are held by Him.
One of my favorite verses has carried me through so many difficult and uncertain times is Isaiah 41:10. God’s reminder to our hearts, not to fear. For He is with us. He is our God. He strengthens us. He helps us. He upholds with His righteous right hand. Nothing in that verse ever says it’s all up to us to make it through somehow. But it assures us that our God who never sleeps or slumbers, is at work, in us, through us, and that He will hold us up. There’s surely no better, no safer place to be, but to be held…by Him.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
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Read more by Debbie on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and at http://debbiemcdaniel.com/.
Originally published Wednesday, 06 December 2017.