When life gets tough, our memory can get shaky. What we remember and meditate our thoughts on will have a definite impact on how long we will stay discouraged. It’s a choice to discipline our mindset to remember what is really important compared to what we are going through. By remembering these 5 things, we will find ourselves climbing out of the dumps and rising to the next steps God has for us.
#1) Remember God loves us.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
Feeling unloved and rejected by life’s circumstances and other people can dampen our vision of God’s love for us. Nothing in this world, neither in the heavens, nor in the depths of hell can ever separate us from the love of God. We are made in His image and for His glory. The Lord loves each of us individually and unconditionally. We can take hope in our times of discouragement when we remember how much we are loved.
#2) Remember God is in control.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:10).
Life can get us down when we feel like everything is out of control and we are merely pawns in the situations of our lives. However, even if the midst of extreme chaos our God remains in control. Everything is going according to His plan and purpose for our lives. We can trust in the Lord’s strength and power to be revealed when we remember that He is in control even when there seems no reason to continue hoping.
#3) Remember God has a plan for our lives.
“‘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).
Just as God is in control, He has a distinct plan and purpose for each of our lives. We forget in the midst of trouble that our time of suffering is a part of the Master’s plan just like the times of rejoicing. God’s plan is structured with mountain top and valley experiences that are ordained to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. We can have peace when we remember that God has planned to give us hope and future in this lifetime.
#4) Remember God uses everything for our good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It’s incomprehensible to the human mind how the Lord can use everything (both good and bad) for our good. In the midst of our painful moments, the idea that good will eventually come out of it seems a remote possibility. Yet through the quiet strength of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to keep moving forward even though we can’t always see our way. We will make it through the tough times when we remember that God is able to make everything work out for our good in the end.
#5) Remember God won’t let this season last forever.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Everything in this life has season—it’s always changing around us. Nature gives us the clearest understanding of the seasons of life with spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each season is necessary for the continuity and vitality of its existence. The seasons of nature remind us that there is a beginning and an end. Our seasons of hardship have a beginning and an ending designed by God. We can press on in this life when we remember that God regulates the season of our suffering.
I remembered you, God… (Psalm 77:3)
In all situations especially when we feel like giving up, we must remember God. He is the One who hears and answers our prayers according to His will. Our lives are in His hand and He will take care of those who look to Him. There will be failure and struggle in this life, but when we remember who our God is—His power, strength, and glory—we are empowered to move forward without fear nor regret. He is with us in all things at all times.
Article by Crystal McDowell
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.
