Have you experienced a situation when things go from bad to worse? You expect good and instead, the situation gets worse. It feels like a punch in the stomach leaving you breathless and shocked.
Here is a sneak peek of my guest post at Devotableapp.com about staying hopeful when things go from bad to worse.
How to Stay Hopeful When Things Go from Bad to Worse
„You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. “ – Exodus 5:7
Have you experienced a situation when contrary to your expectations and prayers for improvement of a difficult situation, it gets even worse? Maybe you struggle with such a situation at that very moment.
Maybe you are hoping for healing, only to receive another frightening diagnosis. Or you are praying for a problematic job situation, only to learn that you are fired. Or you invested yourself in a relationship only to receive another blow of betrayal.
Remember to pin me for later!
When Things Go from Bad to Worse or Bricks Without Straw
Life is full of endless possibilities for things to go from bad to worse. How can we stay hopeful when things get worse? Under the increasing pressure of adversity, we start doubting God’s goodness and faithfulness. Fear, discouragement, and hopelessness start to creep in. How can we continue to trust God and His promises?
The Jews living in Egypt under Pharaoh also experienced such a situation when things went from bad to worse. They were suffering for many years under Egyptian oppression as slaves. Then God heard their cries and called Moses to partner with God and tell the Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Hope was birthed. People expected deliverance and change in their situation.
However, the mission to get the Jews free didn’t develop according to the expectations. Enraged, Pharaoh said “no”. And on top of this, he ordered that the people make the same amount of bricks without providing the straw for them. He doubled the workload. Instead of better, it became worse. The people complained to Moses, and Moses took it to God.
Read the rest of the post at Devotableapp.com and be strengthened and encouraged.
If you need more encouragement in seasons of adversity, listen to my interview with Ashley Moore on her podcast Be the Two.
How God Uses the Darkness of Pain and Suffering to Bless Us
You can learn more about why and how God uses pain and hardships to shape us and bless us in my book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.”
Do you want to draw near to God when you are tempted to pull away amidst painful and traumatic experiences? Do you long for the transformation of your painful story into a story of preparation, empowerment, fruitfulness, and growth?
Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources, encouragement, and comfort when you go through pain, suffering, and shaking, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer
Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
Do you struggle to stay hopeful in situations that don’t show signs of improvement? Come share your experience and ways to trust God more in the comments and let’s help and encourage each other.
Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read about me HERE and check my books HERE.
Thank you so much for sharing! I was just talking about this with a girl I’m discipling and am going to send your encouragement to her now. I appreciate you!
You are very welcome, Kristin! I am happy that you could use this post to encourage another person. Thanks!
Hadassah, Please share with me what or who you have lost in life. Your words sound encouraging and are true but are so EASY to say but unless you have lost your daughter and three grandchildren, another child on Mother’s at 5 1/2 months old and have an adult son with major disabilities and ALL extended family on BOTH sides I don’t think you can really understand loss and write about it as if recovering from it is like following a simple recipe and all will be well. So again I ask what exactly have YOU lost to feel encouraged to advise others? I would appreciate an honest answer. I have been a Christian 40 yrs. and my faith in God has become as small as a grain of sand. I wish it was as big as a mustard seed.
Mary, thank you for sharing your pain here. I hear your cry, sister. I know what it means to go from bad to worse. The last three weeks were the hardest of my life. Despite all prayers, my beloved husband, my best friend, and strong shoulder died just 4 days ago, too young. I know how it feels to lose someone you love. And this is just my recent and most painful loss. I just want to tell you that my heart is hurting for your losses and for your weakened faith. The life of faith is not easy and suffering will be always a part of it. But also sufficient grace, supernatural peace and comfort, and most of all strength. Strength to live, survive and thrive. My sister, please trust Him.
Great idea to post a little snippet of your guest post. Your words are always so uplifting. Thanks for sharing, and congrats on publishing a guest post at Devotable.
Thanks, Lisa! I am always glad when I succeed in infusing some hope and courage in others!
The Exodus of the Israelites from Pharaoh is one of my favorite Old Testament Lessons. What I always draw up is Moses own trials from bad to worse. God showed Moses when he doubted what God was doing “bricks with no straw” reminds me that Moses stood in the presence of God and still had doubts. The apostles walked with Jesus and still had doubts. It shows that it is okay to doubt our beliefs in God’s sovereignty, but is NOT okay to believe our doubts. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Adam! Yes, we are to live an authentic faith. Doubt and discouragement are normal. But they should not stop us to trust God and walk in His ways.
Great post. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Thanks! I am happy that it has encouraged you.
Thank you for sharing! It’s so important to trust in God’s plan and know that it may be difficult now, but it’s nothing we can’t overcome
Thanks for your comment! So true – there is nothing we can not overcome with God’s help.
I enjoyed this post very much! It provided me great hope on a situation that I have been enduring with my health as well as overcoming ongoing grief after losing my oldest child 3 years ago. Thank you for your encouraging and uplifting words! Hugs! D
Thank you, Deana! I am so sorry for your loss! This must have been devastating! I am glad that my words have brought you hope. Praying for you, friend!
Thsnk you so much for this inspiring post.. I needed this today! Congratulations on your guest post on sn app that is read worldwide!
Thank you so much, Holly! Yes, I am honored to be a Devotable writer, and I am happy that the post helped you!
Hi Enjoyed this article, thanks for that reminder that sometimes even when things seem to get worse God is still at work!
Thanks, Sharon! Yes, we can be at rest that God is in control and working behind the scenes to accomplish the best for us.
Thank you for this thoughts and congrats for the guest post. It is so extremely difficult to keep hope and faith when “everything” falls apart. I like the payer a lot. Will help me. “Change my perspective so I can trust You”
Thanks a lot, Thomas for your kind words! Yes, it is very challenging to keep the faith when we don’t see progress or improvement. I am happy that the devotion encouraged you!