How should I respond to life’s sometimes troubling circumstances? - Circumstances - TouchPoints

Habakkuk 3:17-19Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

Focus more on the joy, peace, and future that comes from a relationship with God and less on your troubles. You can always respond joyfully to the God who offers you the eternal gift of salvation. The more you wallow in unpleasant circumstances, the more they may drag you under. The more you reach out to God, the more he can lift you up.

Ecclesiastes 7:14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Matthew 5:44“Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

Ephesians 5:20Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Accept life’s circumstances with thanksgiving to God, and with trust in his constant presence and comfort. Whether you are currently living in sunshine or rain, God never changes and his love for you never changes. God is always eager to teach you something from both the good and the bad.

Philippians 4:6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Refuse to worry. One of the hardest lessons of life is to turn worry into confident prayer when bad circumstances come your way. Come to God with your needs in thanksgiving for what he has done for you, trusting that he will bring good out of the difficult.

Jeremiah 42:6“Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.”

Respond in obedience to God in every circumstance. He knows the larger picture.

Romans 8:37-39No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Respond with confidence in God’s love for you. When times are tough, you may blame God and think he doesn’t love you. But that is when you need his love the most. And it’s always there, because nothing can separate you from his love.

Philippians 4:11-13Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Whether circumstances are good or bad, respond with confidence in God’s strength to help you through.