Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Tough Times, looks at what we can do when our world is rocked by pain and darkness.

Show Notes: Tough Times

Tough times. Calamity. Crisis. Trouble. We all long for a world free from suffering and pain, and those who surrender their lives to Jesus will one day enjoy a heavenly home spoken of in Revelation 21:3-4 NLT

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

It’s hard to imagine such a place but it is God’s promise. But what do we do in the meantime? I believe it depends on the severity of the tough times that you’re dealing with. There are everyday troubles we deal with: a stomach virus, a broken appliance, a problem at work, or an upset child or spouse. A lot of the time we can handle these on our own or find help from our family or friends.

What about when life rachets it up a notch? A cancer diagnosis, house fire, lay off from your job, or your spouse leaves you. What then?

I’ve not always handled tough times in a good way. I tend to stuff everything, pretend it doesn’t matter, and only when I totally fall apart, admit that maybe I need help. Here is what has aided me when trouble strikes:

Admit my feelings to God, then to a counselor, trusted friend, or family member. I quit pretending that I’m not sad, angry, disappointed, troubled, anxious, or depressed. So, I start by owning my emotions.
Think about the issue and see if there is a new perspective or way to solve the problem. Often, I overreact and overlook a simple solution.
Ask for help from family members or friends. If it’s a large problem, like extensive medical bills or natural disaster destruction, often local organizations, churches, and whole communities are willing to carry the load for you.
Pray often. Two things I need during times of distress are wisdom and discernment. If there are multiple ways to look at the issue, I need God to speak to me and direct my path.
Give myself and others time to heal. With major problems, we often have to trust God day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and minute-by-minute. Make self-care a priority.
Make gratitude a way of life. Instead of always looking at the negative, try to see any nugget of good—no matter how small—and concentrate on it. Thank God that He never leaves us or forsakes us, no matter what.

And there is nothing like scripture. I find so much comfort in Psalm 23. I’ve memorized it and I sometimes lay in bed at night and repeat it to myself. Six simple verses that bring calm and comfort to my heart.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Jeff Walling says: “Maybe the best rule of thumb is that our cry of thankfulness to God today should be as loud and long as our cry for deliverance was yesterday. All the better for others to hear and God’s name to be praised.”

Ouch. I’m afraid my thankfulness is not as loud and long as my whining but I want it to be. When I follow the steps above, praying and showing gratitude, I find peace, even when my problems don’t get better. Losing my dad when I was twenty-eight years ol...