"Here in the Hard" Devotional Thought

Today we are diving headfirst deep into the deep end , to a place we all know too well the hard , the seasons where everything feels heavy , overwhelming and endless . But here's the thing about the hard Hard doesn't mean hopeless . It doesn't mean we're stuck either . Sometimes , in the hardest moments , I have found that that is where we find our greatest growth .

Even though we may not see it right away In the heart , god is present in all of it , guiding us , shaping us and sustaining us . So whether you're in a hard place right now or you've been there before , this episode , my friend , is for you .

Together , we're going to talk about what it looks like to be here in the hard and how we can not only survive it , but find purpose and even beauty in it . Take heart in the hard times . In last week's episode , we explored the verse found in John 16 , 33 . And I quote 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 . So how do you take heart when you find yourself on the corner of a rock and a hard place , when maybe it is your heart that has been taken advantage of , when you want to maybe turn from your faith , thinking maybe it has failed you ?

For me , if I'm honest , in some of those situations it is I that want to take heart and lock it away so it never finds itself in a hard time again . But I'm pretty sure that is not where Jesus wants us to be and possibly , if you like me , you might be a little unclear what this whole take heart actually means .

So before we answer how we take heart , let's take a closer look at what exactly Jesus means when he says take heart . The phrase take heart is mentioned six times in the Bible and every time it is mentioned it is spoken by Jesus . So I'm pretty sure if it is in there six times , it is of significance . And to whom he says it ?

To the expression take heart , well , it means to be firm or resolute in the face of danger or adverse circumstances , be inheartened , be courageous . In going back to John 16 , 33 , before we dive into some of the other occurrences , I want us to take this verse to heart . What's so important about these profound words is that they were spoken .

They were uttered at the Last Supper , the last time he , meaning Jesus , would be gathered in fellowship with his beloved disciples and the one who would betray him . I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace . In the world , you will have tribulation , but take heart , I have overcome the world .

Now , only someone who knew what the outcome was going to be , which is victorious , who knew what the outcome was going to be , which is victorious , could speak in the present tense I have overcome this world and making it clear in me , meaning in him , you will't control In him .

In him , as he knew the father , he came from the father and he knew he was headed back to him . He also knew his disciples were soon going to witness the departing of their beloved master and leaving them in a world that hated him , meaning Jesus , and then would hate them for being his followers .

They were going to experience unimaginable trouble and needed to be reminded that , even though he physically wasn't there with them , in him they would have peace . How many of you listening like me , when you are in the hard , have you hardened your heart ?

You hunker down and cast your eyes down instead of looking up to the in him as your ever present help in the hard . Perhaps you're there now , you know . I tend to wonder if Jesus too had to take heart in the way his father wanted to execute , pun intended , his plan to use his one and only son to free the world from their sins .

Jesus had to take heart and be courageous in an adverse circumstance he soon was going to face . Do you find yourself in a season of hard where maybe you are persecuted for your faith ? Have the circumstances in your life not changed , but rather it is you that has changed your heart ?

Instead of taking heart , do you feel maybe that in his silence , as you've not heard from him in a while , jesus has left you to drown in fear and worry ? Take heart , as we're no stranger to storms , whether they are the storms we weather or the personal storms that weather us . The disciples were no different .

In fact , jesus used the storms to develop his disciples' faith in him . Did you hear that Develop ? And we find that in Matthew 14 , 27 , where Jesus tells his disciples take heart . It is , I Don't be afraid . Well , let me back that passage up with a little context .

Just five verses earlier we find that Jesus made his disciples get into a boat that he was not going to join them in as he sent them on ahead of him . For hours they struggled a long way from land and with the waves crashing up against the boat as the winds were against them .

Now , I'm guessing it must have been both exhausting and quite frightening , and that's precisely the point . But you know they were never alone . He knew exactly where they were at at all times and in fact he met them right where they were at , in the middle of the sea , actually walking on the sea .

In fact , when they saw him , they were terrified , exclaiming it's a ghost . As they cried out in fear . Have you found yourself recently crying out in fear ?

Have you drifted away from him because maybe your hard season of waiting for your prayers to be answered or your wayward child to return , or possibly it is your boat taking on water as you drown in debt , forgetting you have everything in him , your greater debt that has been paid by him .

Did you lose your home in a storm and lose your faith in him with it ? Did you lose your home in a storm and lose your faith in him with it ? Do you find yourself asking Jesus , where are you in this hard ?

Do you , like I do from time to time , if I'm being honest need to be reminded that his presence is always with us , no matter how big the storm , how loud the waves , how choppy the waters may be ? Do you need to take heart ? There's no hard he can't handle . You know what's really great about the hard .

If you're a believer , you know that there is no hard that he can't handle , no hard that he didn't go through himself . Am I more than I want to count candles on a birthday cake ? I have experienced the hard with him and without him On my own .

Sure , I came out of the other side of it stronger and more resilient , but I think I also came out of that season with a hardened heart , closing myself off to people , places or situations that I perceived could take my heart Quite honestly , stunting the growth that I had just learned in that season .

Now , having gone through several seasons in the hard with him , in him the hard well , it was hard , possibly even harder , if I'm being honest , but never once was he not there . And the place the hard got me to , oh girl , I never would have imagined I'd be there and I never would have if I hadn't gone through the hard In the hard .

That is where you recognize your need for him . In Matthew 9 , 20 through 22, . That is where we find one woman who had suffered in the hard for a very long time , 12 years to be exact . We're told in these verses that she suffered a discharge of blood .

We find this woman in a large crowd that surrounded Jesus and she knew that if she just touched the fringe of his garment she would be healed . Ladies , that's all she thought she could do was just touch . If I could just touch the fringe of his garment , I would be healed . And Jesus ladies , listen .

Jesus turned to her and , seeing her and said take heart , your faith has made you well . And instantly the woman was made well . This woman was desperate for an answer to her condition that , I'm guessing , since she had it for 12 years , there wasn't a physician that had the answer either .

Only the great physician did Jesus , no matter what hard you're going through . He can handle it . He may not heal it immediately like he did in this case , but you can trust that he will use it and use it all and use it for good . You're not alone . We all deal with discouragement and despair time to time even the strongest Christians , I know .

But he has the power to deal with it . Is there something so hard that you're going through that maybe you need to just reach out to him , knowing that he can handle it for you . Take heart , he is here in your heart . Maybe you are listening and you , like I was , feel like , yeah , but you don't know what I've done . I deserve to remain in the hard .

Or maybe you're like there's no way he would even want to meet me here in the hard . Do you find yourself saying , well , I've lied , I've cheated , I've destroyed my family , had my children out of wedlock , I have been with many men , I have been married several times . Or maybe you're one of those that says I didn't choose life .

I have , I have , I have , I have made a mess of things . Well , girl , you are in the right spot . I like to say sheep are messy . Take heart and behold , some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed , and when Jesus saw their faith , he said take heart , my son , your sins are forgiven . And we find that in Matthew 9 , 2 .

Our Lord forgave the paralytic of sin and then , to prove he actually could forgive , he healed him of his paralysis . Prove he actually could forgive . He healed him of his paralysis .

My friends , there are several accounts in the Bible where he has healed someone or someone who has come to him with some really tough stuff in their heart , turning it over to him , and he did it for them . What later he did on the cross for us ? Forgave us all of our sins that hardened us , separating us from our Heavenly Father .

Take heart , my sweet sister . No matter the sin , jesus can take your heart . If you turn it over to him , you can find hope in the heart . As we wrap up this a little abbreviated episode today , I want to remind you that even in the hard moments , you're not done .

The challenges may feel relentless , but so is the strength within you , and more don't last forever , but they do shape us in ways that make us stronger , wiser and more resilient . If you're feeling overwhelmed today , take a deep breath and remember this God is here with you even in the hard .

He sees you , he knows your pain and he's already making a way for you , even if you can't see it yet . Sometimes it's about trusting the process , holding on in faith and knowing there's purpose in every season , even in the hard .

Thank you for joining me today and I hope you found a bit of hope and encouragement to carry with you as you face whatever challenges lie ahead . If this episode has resonated with you , listen , don't hesitate to share it with a fellow single mom who might need a little reminder that she is stronger than the storms she is facing .

Until next time , keep showing up , keep leaning in and remember that even here in the heart , you are held by a God who never lets go . Do you have more questions about who Jesus is or even how you can turn your heart over to him ? Call us at 855-822-PRAY . We are here for you day or night .

Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you . Thanks for listening to it's a Single Mom Thing . I hope you enjoyed our time together . If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or need prayer , visit us at wwwshepherdsvillagecom . Backslash prayer For more information and resources .

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