Tag Archives: going through tough times

August 12, 2026 · 5:47 AM

Our Advocate

I was doing some research and asked, “When would someone need an advocate?” The answer was simple. It said that when a person’s own strength, clarity and ability isn’t enough. It went on to say that someone needs an advocate when they can’t speak for themselves, defend, guide or comfort themselves. Immediately I started thinking of times in my life when I felt each of those things. Some of the darkest times of my life came to mind. Then I started thinking of others who have been walking through some tough times. It turns out we all need an advocate when we come to the end of our own abilities.

A few hours before Jesus would be arrested and crucified, He was trying to prepare the disciples for the chaos that was about to ensue. Their world was about to be shattered and they wouldn’t understand what was happening. In John 14:6, Jesus told them, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever” (AMP). As they were about to go through the darkest time of their life, He sent them the Holy Spirit to comfort, advocate and intercede for them. They wouldn’t understand receive counsel and strength from the Holy Spirit as well to endure the hardships they were going to face. Jesus didn’t leave them or us alone to face this world. Instead He sent us the advocate we all need.

Jesus continued in verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” if you’re going through something today where you don’t have the strength to fight your own battle, you’re scared of an unknown future or your ability isn’t enough for the moment, take heart. You have an Advocate who will counsel, strengthen, comfort and intercede for you. He will also give you peace to calm you in the storm and walk with you through the toughest challenges. The Holy Spirit isn’t a reward for those who have it all together. He was sent as God’s Provision for those who don’t. Reach out in prayer and ask Him to advocate for you today.

Photo by You Le on Unsplash

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August 20, 2020 · 5:30 AM

A Place Of Abundance

When we go through hard times, we all want to know why. What did we do to deserve it? Why does it have to last so long? Did God abandon us? Has He forgotten us? How much more can we endure before we break? These are all questions we think about when we go through the fire of trials. It’s been my experience that it’s not until well after that I begin to get any insight into it, if at all. So why does God allow us to face unbearable conditions?

In a word, it’s transformational. There can be no transformation in our lives without hard times. They mold us, purify us and move us from one place to another. As my nephew says, “No pressure, no diamond.” The problem is, we want the diamond without the pressure. We want the transformation without the trial. We want strength without having to endure heavy lifting. We want things now instead of later, but that’s not how God works, nor is it how we were designed.

In Psalm 66:10-12 it says, “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance” (NLT). It was God who tested them, put a heavy burden on them and sent them through the fire and flood. He does the same to us today. It’s not fun, it hurts and it’s hard to get through at times, but God has a plan.

As the psalmist wrote, He’s purifying us in order to bring us to a place of abundance. You can’t get to the abundance without going through the purification of fire. When those times come remember that if you will endure it, God is working it out for your good. He’s bringing you to a place that you could never get to without having gone through it. Also remember his promise in Isaiah 42:3, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” He’s there with you in these times and won’t let them crush you. Hang in there, abundance is coming.

Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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