Having Faith - Even When Times Are Hard

As we go throughout life, we face many obstacles and times where we feel like just giving up... We become depressed, upset, and feel like nothing is going the way it should... Most people experience this feeling at least once in their life. The important thing to remember is that, even when times are tough, God is not any less there. Though we sometimes may feel like God's presence is absent from our life, we're mistaken - He's always with us. He's with us in the worst of times and He's with us in the best of times. The challenge that we face is maintaining our faith in the midst of hard times and doubt.

Encountering hard times was something that even the apostles dealt with. Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:8-10;

"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body."

James also told us in James 1:2 to "Consider it joy when you face various trials." We cannot let the onset of a little pain or stress or difficulty or hard times in our life demolish our faith. If our faith is true and real, then we will honor God no matter what our circumstances are.