IN TOUCH Devotional 16th December 2023 —Responding to Hardship

IN TOUCH Devotional 16th December 2023 —Responding to Hardship

You are welcome to Today’s In Touch Daily Devotional written by Dr Charles Stanley and published by In Touch Ministry. Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people’s needs and provides Christ-centered biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Today’s Topic: Responding to Hardship
Trials are an opportunity to see God work on our behalf in ways we can’t imagine.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

In Touch Daily Devotional – Dr. Charles Stanley 16th December 2023

When you are going through a trial, what’s your first response? Do you want to run away as quickly as possible to escape it? Though that’s a normal feeling, God has a different way. It is not the trials in our life that develop or destroy us, but rather our response to those hardships. How, then, should we react when difficulties feel overwhelming?

First, trust God. God wants His children to believe His Word and reflect on ways He’s been faithful in the past. He assures us that He limits our trials and enables us to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Second, persevere. Even when we don’t understand and the pain seems too much to bear, we shouldn’t quit. We’re to continue seeking the Lord through His Word and prayer. So, let’s cling to hope in Christ and praise Him in the midst of the pain.

Third, remember the Lord is in control. He allows adversity for a reason and demonstrates His sustaining power through it. Even though the pain might feel intolerable, God will never leave our side. Scripture compares our growth to gold, which is refined through fire (1 Peter 1:7).

We will encounter difficulties—sometimes intense and painful trials that seem too much for us. Yet we can rely on our heavenly Father to deliver and guide us in ways we could never imagine. He doesn’t expect that we endure on our own, but He does want us to respond with faith.

Bible in One Year: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1:1-25