Yes, This Life Is Hard…and That’s Why We Need Jesus

Posted on Dec 16, 2021 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Men's Christian Living, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Westleigh Wood

This excerpt from the new tween girl devotional Shine Your Light for Jesus is a great reminder that we were never meant to try and navigate this world on our own. In fact, doing so will only lead to more pain and frustration. And though this is written for tweens, its message applies to all of us. Share these truths with your child today as you take them into your own heart.

***

Life can be really hard sometimes.

Even though I have many blessings in my life

Even when I have so much to be thankful for.

Even when I have the kindest friends and the best teammates and the most patient parents.

There are just days when it's hard. I can be having the best day ever, and then a word or thought ruins it all in a second.

And suddenly the day turns into a day full of challenges.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that this world is not our home. We aren't meant to stay here forever. We aren't meant to find our ultimate peace and satisfaction in what today or tomorrow brings.

We don't know what the future holds. We don't even know what God has planned for the next second or minute or day.

So while we here on earth, God calls us to use our time wisely.

He wants us to be spending time drawing near to him, listening to him, and teaching others about him.

Personally, I hate it when plans don't go my way. I have high expectations of how I think my life should look. I think I have my life planned out, and I want to figure it all out for myself. I don't want to rely on anyone else, and I don't want to ask for help. Then God throws me a curveball and reminds me that it's not about me.

It's hard to call out to God and ask him what to do. We want to be independent and do things our own way. It's hard to hand over the clipboard and pen to him. When we are younger, the future seems so far away. We don't really think about eternity or what life later on will look like, but we need to. We need to wake up every day looking to God, and preparing our hearts for the life he wants us to live.

Ask him to change your heart today to serve him.

***

Dear God,
Remind me that I am not promised tomorrow.
Remind me to seek you first and not my own will.
You have great plans for my life.
I just need to listen and follow.
Help me to live like you today. Amen.