“We are confident that as you share our sufferings,
you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:7

There are times in our lives when we are tempted to lose hope.  No one is immune.  Sometimes life kicks us in the gut and we want to scream those words coaches hate to hear, “I quit!”  In times like these, it’s easy to just pack it up and retreat into a world of self-pity and hopelessness.  What’s the use?  Why bother?  Does any of this really matter?  Even though most of us like to think we have everything under control, the truth is, we control very little.  In an instant, we can find our lives turned upside down through no fault of our own.  So what do we do when we don’t know what to do?  How do we get back on track?  Zig Ziglar once said, “It’s not the situation, but how we react to the situation that’s important.  That’s good advice.

The Apostle Paul knew hard times.  He was beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned.  When those things happened, did Paul ever think about quitting?  If he did, he didn’t keep those thoughts very long.  What did Paul know that most people don’t?  What gave Paul the hope to keep going?  The answer: a solid trust and a firm confidence in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Paul knew that he did not suffer alone.  Jesus was there to provide comfort and hope for the future.  He gave Paul the strength to keep moving.  Jesus will do the same for us when we ask.  Is your world out of control?  Are you looking for hope in a difficult time?  Why don’t you consider a little talk with Jesus?

Lord, give me an unwavering faith in you in the midst of the storms of life, even when I don’t understand why I’m going through them.  Amen.