When Tough Times Come, Weekly Word of Faith

Weekly Word of Faith Title

Dove Divider

When Tough Times Come

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified' and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.."

(Acts 9:31)

There are times when life on this earth is hard and uncomfortable...and even downright painful. When those times come, you deeply need the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring.

How do you receive that kind of comfort?

By doing just what the believers in Acts did. By "walking in the fear of the Lord."

Now, when I talk about "the fear of the Lord," please understand, I'm not saying you should be afraid of God. He's your Father! You should be as secure and unafraid when you come before Him as a child who knows he is dearly loved. But you must also have so much respect for Him that whenever He reveals something you need to do, you do it immediately----even if it goes against your natural desires. That's walking in the fear of the Lord.

Let me show you what I mean. Almost six years ago, I received a very heart wrenching phone call from my son. It was very painful news that my daughter-in-law being killed by a drunk driver. The news wounded my heart severely because Laurie was very precious to me and I loved her as my own.

I cried, and in the natural, I wanted to get angry about it, to strike back in some way. But, instead, I began praying in other tongues. As I prayed, I was prompted in my spirit to rejoice and praise the Lord for her home-going and to pray for that man's salvation.

I certainly didn't feel like praising or praying. I felt like screaming and going after the man that took her from us. But, out of respect to the Lord, I put my feelings aside and obeyed. Next, the Holy Spirit impressed me to read a particular prophecy. As I did, I could tell I was being strengthened and the anger slipping away.

Then suddenly, I realized I was comforted and strengthened and then I was able to help my son and grandchildren through this. I was able to lay my pain and heartache aside to minister to them, love them, and be there for them. The anger and pain that had filled me just moments before were gone! They had been replaced by the gentle love and reassurance of the Lord that we would make it through.

I'm not saying that I never had times of sadness and heartache after that. But, my Father lead me day by day, as I obeyed Him. He was my only comfort and He ministered such love and caring to me. I will never forget how He held me and comforted me so I could do the same for others that were hurting during that time.

No matter how tough or painful a situation you may be facing today, trust and obey the directions of your Father. He will make that same supernatural, Holy Spirit-inspired comfort available to you!

This week's reading Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

2-22-04