Before my family moved to Alaska my wife and I were in troubled times. Although neither of us would admit it at the time, looking back, those were dangerous times for our marriage. We were in great financial, relational, emotional, and energy deficits. But by the grace of God, we made it through those tough times without failure or doing anything stupid. 

My heart tried to deceive me in those days. It told me that I would be happier with someone else. That Crystal and I were just not compatible, or I would just be better off alone. Because of my thought life I even thought that my family would be better off without me. Someone else would do a better job raising my kids and a different guy would be a better husband to Crystal than I would. My, how my heart had it wrong! Thankfully, God’s promises were true and faithful where my heart was desperate and deceived.  

I’m so thankful that I knew some of the promises of God. I know that Jesus was always with me (Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 41:13). This was both encouraging and frightening. I knew, no matter how I felt, that He was with me in difficulty. But I also knew He was with me when I was tempted and wanted to do the wrong thing. I knew that God was guiding me through my hardship even if I couldn’t see the next step (Psalm 37:23-24, 32:8, Proverbs 16:9). I also knew that no matter how badly I messed up God would always be faithful to forgive me (Isaiah 54:10, 1 John 1:9, 2 Chronicles 7:14). And I know that no matter what happened to me God would use it for good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). 

In verse 7 and 8 of Jeremiah 17 it says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in LORD…” For he is like a tree planted by streams of water who does not cease to bear fruit, even in times of drought. While we may not be able to trust our own intuition, wisdom, experience, or strength we can trust in the word of God. His promises are true. Even in great times of anxiety, desperation, and temptation we can come out the other side so long as we put aside the “wisdom” of this world and of our own heart. 

I don’t know what trials you may be going through today, but I know that they are common to us all. We are not alone in our struggles, but God’s promises are true, and they will give us a strength to bear up under those trials that are not our own, but of God’s own power. I encourage you to look at some of the promises God has given us through His word. Perhaps one of the verses mentioned above will speak to you. I invite you to take hold of these promises and keep them at the forefront of your mind to carry you through times of trouble.