10 Reasons We Can Have Hope in Hard Seasons

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Sometimes, the days can feel weary and life can be hard. Circumstances might change around us, or we find ourselves facing huge battles. Perhaps we’re walking through a difficult illness, or dark seasons, and no matter how much we’ve prayed, the difficulty seems to linger on for far too long.

What Does it Mean That God’s Mercies Are New Every Morning?

God reminds us of this powerful promise in His word that offers peace to our hearts in hard seasons. It was written for His people when times were very difficult. It gives us great hope in the battles we face today, like rays of light breaking through the darkest night.

For just as sure as the sun comes up every morning, we can be confident that His mercies never end. They are never based on how good we are, but only on His steadfast character. His compassion towards us is fresh every morning, and each day is a gift straight from His hand. We can trust His heart for us.

10 Reasons We Can Have Hope in Hard Seasons

1. God Forgives and Redeems:

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, …who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your life with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. … The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. … for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us. …” (Psalm 103:2-5, 9, 11-12)

No matter what we face today, God’s promises stand true. In hard seasons, it may seem easier to complain about everything than to offer God praise. But there is great power in choosing to set our hearts and minds on Christ; offering Him praise for who He is and how He’s at work in our lives. He redeems us from the pit. He satisfies us with good things and renews us. Remembering God’s promises, and choosing to praise Him and trust His Sovereignty, is the first step towards finding hope in the hard seasons.

2. We Are Not Defined by Our Past – God Sets Us Free:

“…Behold, I am making all things new…” (Revelation 21:5)

The labels that once defined us are never permanent. The enemy would love to wield those words over us to keep us stuck in regret or shame. But Christ came to set us free. And because of that we have hope, especially in the hard days.

His word reminds us that His banner over us is love. His label is lasting. It doesn’t fade away if we blow it again. It doesn’t wash off over time if we’re inconsistent. It shines. Just as sure as the sun rises every morning, it breathes new hope and offers a fresh start every single day. Redeemed. Loved. Called. Restored. Cherished. Strong. Joyful. Hope-filled.

3. He Is Bigger than this Battle:

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

God often reminds us that He is greater than the problem, the obstacle, the giant, and the fear. He is a God of miracles who works on behalf of His children, even where we can’t fully see. When confident of this truth, we can fully trust Him. We may not understand it all this side of heaven, but God is always faithful. And He can do in just a moment, what it might take years for us to work through on our own. God’s power is still greater than the works of darkness and far stronger than anything we may face here.

4. God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Our Weakness:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

It’s certainly never easy, but the truth is our greatest growth and perseverance come from the hard seasons. Through hard places, God brings us to deeper humility and dependency on Him. The sooner we can embrace this truth, the sooner we can be filled with the power of His Spirit over every problem. We can find great joy, and be able to confidently say what Paul proclaimed in these verses, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” It is the truest lesson of learning, “less of me, more of Him,” and it yields the abundant fruit from a life hidden in Christ.

5. God Will Bring Purpose Through This Trial and Will Turn It Around for 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)

As believers in Christ, we can hold fast to this promise and hope. God will never waste our pain. He will turn it around for good. Every battle. Every painful storm. He will never allow us to walk through deep struggle without allowing it to bring greater hope and purpose, both in our own lives and through our place in this world. Every mark of darkness is redeemed when we’re in Christ. It’s what He does best. He brings beauty and strength, hope and goodness from every difficult journey and broken day. Our Lord lifts us out of the deep and into greater purpose and blessing up ahead. Restored. Redeemed. Renewed. Repurposed.

6. He Reminds Us to Choose Joy:

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing…” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

If we’ve lived long enough, we know this to be true: the trials we face are all a part of life. None of us are immune from hard times. God reminds over and over in His word that difficulties are a part of our journey. It makes us stronger, gives us endurance, builds our faith. He tells us not to be surprised at the troubles we face, but to “keep on rejoicing.” I’ve needed to let that sink deep again.

“Keep on rejoicing.”

Because truly, it’s a choice. It may be hard to keep choosing joy when life seems to press us down. But God wants to lift our burdens and remind us there’s hope still ahead.

7. God Covers Us in His Care:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’ He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge…” (Psalm 91:1-2, 4)

The enemy will always tempt us to believe we are forgotten and left on our own. We have to make the choice to step right over his traps. We may not be aware, but God is leading, carrying us, even when we don’t understand how we’re getting through each day. The Bible is filled with countless reminders that He loves us and that His Presence covers us, goes before us, and hems us in from behind. God never asks us to face the struggles alone.

8. God Is in Control, so We Don’t Have to Worry:

“Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10)

One of the hardest things I’ve learned in life, especially in the tough times, is simply this: Be still, more.

When we’re so prone to hurry and worry, this can be such a challenge. But we should never allow the pressures of what we’re facing get in the way of just spending much-needed time in God’s Presence. It’s truly the most important minutes of our day, and will bring peace to our spirit and strength to the day.

Whatever’s concerning you, entrust it to our powerful God. Talk to Him. He knows your burdens and He cares. Read His words and pray them back to Him. Think about them day and night. Time spent with God helps us to quit spiraling into cycles of worry, as our hearts and minds focus more on Him. The very God who causes the sun to rise every morning, who created us and all that we see, also keeps us safe in His care, and reminds us, He hasn’t lost control. Not ever.

9. God Knows Our Way and He Is Carrying Us Through:

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

When we find ourselves there in the storm, it’s easy to start thinking it may never end. But we’re not meant to stay stuck there, this is only a season of time. God promises to see us through, and He will help us step through to the other side of the struggle. He knows our way and He is building beauty and strength. He promises we will come out “as gold,” tested, tried, and true.

Remember that you’re only passing through. We will be changed for the better, stronger, shining, beauty deepened from within.

10. God Gives Us His Grace and Mercy for Each New Day:
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“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Every single morning, God is waiting to meet with us, with the fresh filling of His Spirit, with strength for the day ahead. He offers us the rich blessings of His grace and mercy that never run dry. And here’s what those gifts mean for our lives:

· Grace = getting what we don’t deserve

· Mercy = not getting what we do deserve

And I’m incredibly thankful for both. I’m sure you are too. God is so good, always gracious and loving. As you draw near to Him today, may you sense His powerful presence surrounding you in every way.

Dear God,

We pray that you’d give us a heart today to seek you above all else. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning, thank you that your faithfulness is greater than we could ever imagine. We choose to find our joy and strength in you today. And we trust you to bring us through this dark season, stronger, restored, shining as gold, with greater purpose for the road ahead.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.