It may seem like a paradox, but difficult times strengthen our faith and nourish relationships. Talking with my grandparents and their friends, I could detect a trend that seemed almost universal. They would reminiscence and share stories on truly tumultuous times. They would talk about WWII, the Great Depression, dust storms, blizzards, or the loss of crops and livestock.
We are no different. Ask any strong, stable family where they got such strength, and you will likely hear a story of crisis. Times of hardship allow us to see where our faith and confidence is placed. Biblical characters like Job and Abraham survived excruciating trials of faith. Ultimately, the purest faith emerges from these difficult circumstances.
1 Peter 5:10 shares, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
May God strengthen us for today and the days ahead.