Devotional: When Things Feel Hard

I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but feel like the world is falling apart when I watch the news. Especially with the heartbreaking events happening in Israel, I know all of us are feeling very heavy right now. This last Friday I was feeling especially overwhelmed with everything happening in the world, along with all the other stresses and concerns in my own life. It was just one of those days where things felt really hard, ya know? That night we were actually headed into my parents house for pizza and the whole drive in I just felt like crying. I was frustrated, anxious, mad–all the emotions. So when we got to their house, I told my mom I needed to go upstairs into one of her guest rooms and just have a few minutes to myself to pray.

When I got into the room, I immediately started crying. I laid on the bed and poured out my heart to God. I told him everything weighing on my mind. Snot was running down my face, tears were flowing–it wasn’t pretty, but I just put all my burdens right there in front of Him. For thirty minutes I stayed in that room, praying and talking to God. I declared His promises over and over again. I asked Him to comfort my heart and renew my mind. I asked the Holy Spirit to fill every corner of my thought life. I ask Him to empower me to be the person He wants me to be. To trust Him FULLY, with every cell in my body.

And you know what happened? By the time I walked out of that room, I felt like a different person. I felt calmer, happier, more at ease. Praying and spending that time with God didn’t take the problems away, but it strengthened me and filled me with hope. It transformed my mindset.

That evening I was thinking about how that time praying with God helped me so much and I had a lightbulb moment when I realized something profound:

He is my superpower.

When life feels hard, when things are heavy, when the enemy is attacking my thoughts and wants to overwhelm me, I can call on the living God to intervene and calm my spirit. It’s a secret weapon in my back pocket that I can use anywhere and anytime, day or night.

I know this might seem obvious to some of you, but to be honest–in the past, this wasn’t something I would ever do. If I felt overwhelmed, anxious or discouraged I would say a quick praying asking for peace and then maybe go workout, watch a show, or distract myself with something else to feel better. I would never slow down enough to spend even ten minutes in diligent, focused prayer. But one thing I’ve learned this year after everything I’ve been through, is that nothing feels as good as being in the presence of Jesus. Nothing calms my spirit like He does. Nothing empowers me like He does. Nothing gives me hope like Jesus. When I’m struggling, the first thing I want to do now is pray and pour my heart out to Him. Jesus is my safe place. I need that time with Him to be ok.

I’m sharing this simply to encourage you to spend more time with Jesus. If you’re feeling heavy or carrying burdens, go to Him. Sit in silence and pour out your heart to Him. Tell him how you really feel. Open your Bible and read something like Psalm 91, Ephesians 3:14-21, or maybe Isaiah 41:10. Those are just a few of my go-to’s, but I promise they will encourage you. They will lift your spirits like nothing else can. And they will remind you He is always with you, even when things are hard. He is your superpower!!!

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“This I declare of the Lord, He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him. ” Psalm 91: 2

Leave a Comment!

34 Comments

  1. Darla wrote:

    This is so encouraging and uplifting, Sarah. Thank you so much for this reminder to spend genuine time in the presence of our Savior. 🤍

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  2. Brenda wrote:

    Thank you for sharing! ❤️🙏❤️🙏

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  3. Velda Ganz Mendoza wrote:

    Thank you for the encouraging words. Been very stressed since Israel was attacked and it seems as though their suffering will never end. So I will spend more time in serious prayer and less time watching the news. Thanks again

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  4. Brandy wrote:

    Beautiful! Thank you for being so raw and sharing. It’s amazing to see how much prayer and spending time with the Lord changes our disposition.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  5. Michelle wrote:

    Your words are encouraging! Have a blessed day!

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  6. Kim Barfield wrote:

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience with prayer. I have found myself recently yearning for time with God, turning to him more. I Believe in prayer and the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus to calm us in those moments when things feel lost. Blessing to you and your family! 🙏🏻❤️

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  7. Amber Fannin wrote:

    Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  8. Michelle wrote:

    Thank you for sharing this. Yesterday I received some news from a ultrasound that I had and it is requiring further testing, but I know that Jesus is with me and He will comfort me.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  9. Renee Cabral wrote:

    Thank you Sarah! For your boldness and pure me ss. You are a reflection of Him.you are His light for the world to hear. I needed this 🫶🏽🙌🏽

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  10. Monica Roblee wrote:

    Thank you Sara, I really needed to read this🙏

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  11. Sharis Norris wrote:

    Oh my Sarah, God is doing great things in you! And your willingness to be transparent and share is helping so many people. You will never know the impact this side of Heaven. It’s been a really hard year for me as well. Cancer reared it’s ugly head for the third time. It’s been quite the journey! But…God has been Faithful to sustain me through the bad and good days, just as He has done before.You have a way with words, just like my daughter. And that is such a blessing from God to be shared, as you are now doing. These times are frightening and make my heart so very sad. Thank you for your encouragement and scriptures. Love and hugs from Florida ~♥️💜🙏🏼🌻
    PS: I’m doing much better now and getting back to living life, treasuring each day! 😉

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
    • Sarah wrote:

      So glad to hear you are doing better!! I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. But love your testimony that God has sustained you through the good and bad days. Amen to that!!

      Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  12. Paula Verner wrote:

    Love this! ❤️

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  13. Tori wrote:

    Thank you for sharing this! My small group leader likes words for the year – and mine this year is pray. With 2 daughters in 2 different cities- one in college the other working there is MUCH to pray about. I started the year out and a lot of last year feeling anxious a lot and that has really gotten better through prayer and speaking scripture to myself. Also just spending time being in Jesus presence like you said – so good!

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  14. DonettaJoy wrote:

    Thank You for sharing and for the reminder. This brought tears to my eyes and a conviction to my heart. I do spend time in prayer, but I don’t commit a block of time to truly sit with Jesus, and I long to, so I will start. Thank you my friend💞💝

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  15. Emily Osborne wrote:

    Ps 139 helps. God knows me better than I know myself. And bc He is inside me He feels what I feel and understands me. By the time I’m done reciting it to myself I’m calmer and reassured. It’s a good one to memorize.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  16. Lisa Guillen wrote:

    Thank you

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  17. Barbara wrote:

    Thank you for this reminder. I pray often but not for as long as I probably should.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  18. Judy B wrote:

    Reading this at the perfect moment of my upside down life. Feeling unable to to let go of things I cannot control while believing that there is something better on the other side. Thank you for sharing your personal experience and giving encouragement and advice on how to work through it.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  19. Anke wrote:

    Thank you. 💛

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  20. Lisa Dunton wrote:

    This is so good! I feel that we need to just lay it all at the feet of Jesus daily. He didn’t mean for us to carry the load. He tells us when you are weak, I am strong. We forget to take the time to acknowledge daily that He is our strength. He will definitely help us carry the load. Aren’t you thankful that we don’t have to carry the load and we can rest in Him no matter the circumstances.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  21. Ronda wrote:

    This was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. Thank you.

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  22. Ericka wrote:

    Amen! I think your words mirror the hearts and minds of many fellow believers. There is absolutely no peace like that of the father. It passes understanding. The fullness of his love, grace, mercy and comfort are incomparable. Thank you for sharing and articulating your feelings so well. I have felt and done the very same thing recently. He says cast your cares upon me and we often think oh no Lord you have far bigger things to handle but I wants it all. The good, the bad, the snotty, tear streaked face and all. He’s a good father! 🤍

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  23. Tempy wrote:

    Thank you for sharing your heart and your time of focus time with the Lord. I needed to be reminded today! ❤️🙏🏻

    Posted 10.18.23 Reply
  24. Emily wrote:

    Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one feeling that heavy weight of the world/life. I appreciate the reminder to slow down and make the time for him. God is amazing ❤️

    Posted 10.19.23 Reply
  25. Sandy Bennington wrote:

    Thank you, Sarah. I needed this. I lost my daughter unexpectedly in August and have been struggling.

    Posted 10.19.23 Reply
  26. Amy Harper wrote:

    Thank you for sharing this. I have felt much the same. Though I have a good prayer life I love you pointing out laying it all out there for Him. Your faith is light!

    Posted 10.19.23 Reply
  27. Denise wrote:

    I needed the reminder abut spending more time with Jesus. I try and have good intentions but doesn’t always work out the way I intend and plan.

    Posted 10.20.23 Reply
  28. Jean wrote:

    Thank you Sarah! I’m in the same boat with you on this. The world and all of its sadness has certainly weighed heavy on me and has sent my worrying off the scale. But you are so right! Spending quality time with Jesus turns my perspective from the negative to the positive. Leaning on him gets me through 🙌🏻

    Posted 10.21.23 Reply
  29. Joyce wrote:

    Love this!

    Posted 10.22.23 Reply
  30. Cynthia wrote:

    Thank you for sharing the tears and snot🥰🥰 I always say that when it’s tears and snot it’s real… no way you can fake that!😂
    God bless you for the encouragement!🙏🙏🙏🙏

    Posted 10.22.23 Reply
  31. Cynthia wrote:

    Thank you for sharing the tears and snot🥰🥰 I always say that when it’s tears and snot it’s got to be real… there is no way you can fake that!😂
    God bless you for the encouragement!🙏🙏🙏🙏

    Posted 10.22.23 Reply
  32. Clair Cox-Pee wrote:

    I’ve just stumbled across your blog Sarah-and I’m so grateful I did – thanks for pointing me to our Saviour, our ever present help in times of trouble.
    Bless you.

    Posted 10.23.23 Reply
  33. Jennifer wrote:

    Thank you! I needed this today! Nothing huge is wrong. I am just tired and frustrated and grumpy…thank you for letting God use you to speak to others and pour out his ❤️

    Posted 4.9.24 Reply

Welcome!! Happy to have you here. I started this blog in 2015 and since then it's been my happy place to share my love of home, easy decorating ideas, comfy outfits, and chats about Jesus.

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