The Mind ConnectionPrimjer

How to Think When Life Gets Difficult

Have you ever noticed that being upset about your problems never changes them? A bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t change it, you won’t go anywhere.

It is more difficult to think and speak positively during the “winters” or hard times of our life, but it’s helpful to remember that spring always follows winter. A favorite saying in our family is “This too shall pass.” Perhaps you are having a financial difficulty, relationship problems, or illness. It is not possible to live life trouble-free, but it is possible to look for spring in the middle of it. It is very helpful during difficult times to remember that they won’t last forever.

God has equipped and anointed us to do hard things. He allows us to go through difficulty to bring glory to Him. He shows Himself strong through us. He told Paul that His strength was made perfect in our weakness (see 1 Corinthians 12:9). We may think we can’t make it through tough times, but those thoughts are inaccurate according to God’s Word. He has promised to never allow more to come on us than we can bear as we rely on Him (I Corinthians 10:13).

Even when our circumstances don’t make us happy, we can choose thoughts that will. When I am in the midst of difficulty, I often turn to Romans 8:35-39, and I remind myself that no matter how difficult life is, God loves me.

During tough times, it’s easy to think, I can’t do this; it is just too much; it is too hard. Watch for that type of thinking and when you recognize it, remember that it is a lie. Then replace it with a God-inspired thought like, I can do what I need to do because God is with me. This winter season in my life will be over and spring will come.

Make the Mind Connection: During difficult times, avoid thinking the worst and start thinking about what God says.

Adapted from The Mind Connection by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2015 by Joyce Meyer. Reprinted with permission of FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.