How to stay faithful to God in times of hardship

 

By Clara Rainey
St. Scholastica Academy 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”  (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Keeping your faith in God during hard times is very difficult. Although your trust in him may sway a little, he will never leave your side. You are his child, and you are loved deeply by him. 

Speaking from experience, I also find it hard to keep my faith in the Lord when things get rough. No matter how hard life gets and no matter how much your trust in him fades away, he will always be waiting for you with open arms, ready to embrace you and call you his child.

Keeping your faith strong

Everyone has his or her preferred ways to pray. Here are some ways to pray that will help your faith stay strong:

1.  Religious music is a great way to pray, if you are musically inclined or just like music. 
2. Journaling is an amazing way to express your feelings and reflect on your day. I suggest reading a few Bible verses and reflecting on them in your journal.
3. Group prayer is actually one of my favorite ways to pray. It consists of getting together with a few friends and praying together by giving testimonies, praying for each other’s intentions, reading the Bible together and reflecting on what you read.
4. Lectio Divina is a great way to pray. In Lectio Divina, you read a Bible verse and imagine yourself in the scene. You can put yourself in a person’s shoes or just be an onlooker of what is going on.
5. Praying the rosary is a beautiful way to keep your faith strong. You can dedicate a rosary to someone or one of your intentions. The rosary is an extremely powerful prayer.

Bible verses for reflection

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3: 3-4).

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

“If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalms 34:8).

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

“All that the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Things to remember

Remember that you are his child and you are loved deeply by him.

Remember that he will never leave your side even during the hardest times.

Remember to pray daily!

Remember that although friends may come and go, God is always there.

Remember that no matter what you have done, he will always be there to forgive you and embrace you with love.

Remember, you are loved!

Clara Rainey is a junior at St. Scholastica Academy in Covington.