Acts of the Apostles 14:22

A crucial responsibility on the parental agenda is preparing our children for the hard times that will inevitably come their way. This is especially the case for those young people who, having committed their lives to Christ, will live as adults in a world where they likely will encounter hostile opposition to their faith.

Following Jesus doesn’t exempt us from hard times; it often invites them. Sometimes, the challenges we face are not the result of people’s actions but God’s training in our lives. This three-day devotional, Handling Hard Times, explores how believers can find strength, endurance, and hope in seasons of difficulty. Through Scripture and practical wisdom, you’ll learn how to respond when obedience leads to uncomfortable places, how to stay encouraged when life feels unfair, and how to see trials as God’s tool for growth. Affliction isn’t meant to destroy us but to refine us.

Stasi Eldredge draws upon her own personal struggles to encourage readers to find hope and joy in Christ. She shares her experiences with pain, loss, and failure and she explains how God has helped her to uncover and cherish the joy that He provides in the midst of troubles.

The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the sixteenth part "The Travels of Paul." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.