January 1
From Struggles to Strength:
Finding Hope in Hardship
"And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope."
Romans 5:3-4 (NIrV)
For Amanda, life as a single mom was a constant balancing act. Each day began at sunrise, juggling her son’s school schedule, a demanding part-time job, and online classes to earn her degree. While Amanda believed in God’s love, the unrelenting stress sometimes made her question her faith.
One evening, as she tucked her son into bed, she noticed the fraying sole of his sneakers. Her heart sank—her paycheck was already stretched thin, with no room for new shoes. That night, Amanda sat at her small kitchen table, bills spread out before her, and felt tears spill over. “God, why is life so hard?” she whispered, her voice breaking.
The next day at work, Amanda overheard a conversation about a local church offering free kids' clothing. Though hesitant, she decided to check it out. At the event, she met a volunteer named Sarah, who warmly welcomed her. As Amanda shared her story, Sarah listened intently. “I’ve been where you are,” Sarah said. “It’s hard, but God uses these times to shape us into people who rely on Him.”
That simple conversation planted a seed in Amanda’s heart. She began to see her struggles not as punishment, but as a refining process. Slowly, she started praying more intentionally, asking God for strength rather than a way out.
A few weeks later, Amanda received an unexpected scholarship for her studies. While it didn’t erase her hardships, it gave her a glimpse of God’s provision. Each challenge became a step toward resilience and hope, just as Sarah had said.
Amanda’s journey was far from over, but she had learned that through perseverance, God shapes our character and fills us with a hope that sustains us.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for walking with me through life’s challenges.
When I face hardships, help me to see them as opportunities for growth, not as barriers to my faith.
Teach me to trust that You are building my character and filling me with hope, just as You did for Amanda.
Strengthen me to persevere and remind me that Your plan is good, even when it’s hard to see.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
