Why am I going through this? What is the purpose? It may be so we can know God better. Sometimes the only way He can get our attention is to take us through stuff that makes us turn to Him. Maybe He takes us through stuff so we can help someone else.

Whatever your situation, go to God with it. When we pray, we talk to God. When we get in his word, He talks to us. The answers are there.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

 

Our stress comes from trying to do it all. Peace comes from giving it to the One who will take care of it all. He wants us to depend on Him. We cannot be the kids God needs if we are stressing all the time. Lay whatever is stressing you at the cross and leave it there. Let it all go and let God have it. Now take a deep breath and feel peace that only He gives.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. Philippians 4:6 AMP

Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

When life goes smoothly and good things happen, I sometimes fear the feeling of happiness. I worry there is sorrow waiting just around the corner. It’s another of the enemy’s lies. He wants us miserable and doubting God’s plan. Yes we will face happiness and sorrow but our God is right there with us through it all.

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. Psalm 112:7 (NLT)

It doesn’t matter what your age, how many scars or wrinkles you have. He doesn’t care if you are overweight and out of shape. You are beautiful in Gods eyes. You are his perfect masterpiece.

You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me. Psalm 139:13-18 (TPT)

God leads us to places he has already been working. Never be afraid to share the love of Jesus. More than likely that person has been searching and you are there to guide them.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)