“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” — Psalm 9:9-10, NIV

Trials and tribulation are often a dreaded part of life. Becoming discouraged with the many negative things that may come our way can shake our faith. However, it can also be an opportunity to deepen our faith. When we are in trouble or struggling to see how God is working in a dark time, God is still with us.

Does this mean all our problems will be solved and we won’t feel the effects of trials and tribulation? No. We still encounter suffering and struggles in our life. However, it does mean we can find comfort in the fact that even when we may be at our lowest, we have confidence in the promises of the Lord and his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” — John 15:11, NIV

Just as there are trials and tribulations, there is also joy and happiness in different seasons of life. These times also allow for us to depend on our relationship with God and grow spiritually. 

When everything is going well, it may be easy to push God to the side. After all, we are doing fine on our own, or at least that is what we let ourselves believe. This is far from the truth. We need Christ in the good times just as much as in the struggles.

Each blessing and new day is from God. So, during the good times, God is with us, just like He is during hard times.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” — John 14:16-17, NIV

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit with us through it all. We are never alone when we have to make decisions, face temptations, go through trials or celebrate our joys in life. We have guidance, but more than that we have hope in the fact that we are not alone. We have God’s love and peace with us always.

Do you want to a community of students who are pursuing Christ? Grand Canyon University offers theology and ministry degree programs to help you reach your goals. To learn more about GCU’s degree programs, click on the Request Info button at the top of your screen.

“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life.” — Psalm 42:8, NIV

Life is full of big moments, nonetheless there are also many small mundane moments that make up a large portion of our lives. In the little everyday moments, God is still with us — all day, every day from morning to evening.

His love will not leave us in these little moments. Romans 8:38-39 says “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing large or small will hold God’s love from us.

These everyday moments provide a lovely opportunity to look around at what God is doing in our lives. They are chances to be thankful and treasure what we have been given.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20, NIV

With life, there comes many seasons. From good times full of hope and joy to times of deep sorrow, God is with us always. As believers, there’s never a time when He is gone from us. We have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us through the highs and lows of life.