Growing in the Tough Times
"Pray for the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." - Jeremiah 29:7
Growing spiritually during a tough season is often the most difficult, but it’s also the most important. In Jeremiah 29, God commanded the Israelites to pray for the welfare of their enemies. Imagine being told to pray for the very people who have caused you the most harm. That’s not easy.
You might be dealing with your own hardships right now, feeling like you’ve been hurt, betrayed, or let down by others. The thought of praying for those who have made your life difficult might seem impossible. But this is where spiritual growth begins.
God calls you to go beyond the natural response of resentment and anger. He’s calling you to surrender those feelings in prayer, to lift up even those who have wronged you. Why? Because true spiritual growth often happens in the most uncomfortable places. It’s in those moments of tension, of frustration, where God is shaping you, molding your heart to reflect His love and grace.
Prayer isn’t just about changing circumstances; it’s about changing your heart. When you pray for others, especially those who have hurt you, it softens your heart. It frees you from bitterness and opens you up to receive peace and healing. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. God’s invitation for you to pray in difficult times is a way of keeping you connected to Him, even when life feels unfair or overwhelming.
While you’re waiting for your breakthrough, don’t let the hardness of your situation make you hard toward others. Grow spiritually by praying for those around you, even those you struggle with. As you do, you’ll find that your own heart begins to change, and God will meet you in that growth.
Growing spiritually during a tough season is often the most difficult, but it’s also the most important. In Jeremiah 29, God commanded the Israelites to pray for the welfare of their enemies. Imagine being told to pray for the very people who have caused you the most harm. That’s not easy.
You might be dealing with your own hardships right now, feeling like you’ve been hurt, betrayed, or let down by others. The thought of praying for those who have made your life difficult might seem impossible. But this is where spiritual growth begins.
God calls you to go beyond the natural response of resentment and anger. He’s calling you to surrender those feelings in prayer, to lift up even those who have wronged you. Why? Because true spiritual growth often happens in the most uncomfortable places. It’s in those moments of tension, of frustration, where God is shaping you, molding your heart to reflect His love and grace.
Prayer isn’t just about changing circumstances; it’s about changing your heart. When you pray for others, especially those who have hurt you, it softens your heart. It frees you from bitterness and opens you up to receive peace and healing. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. God’s invitation for you to pray in difficult times is a way of keeping you connected to Him, even when life feels unfair or overwhelming.
While you’re waiting for your breakthrough, don’t let the hardness of your situation make you hard toward others. Grow spiritually by praying for those around you, even those you struggle with. As you do, you’ll find that your own heart begins to change, and God will meet you in that growth.
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