Counsel of Spiritual Life
Counsel #27 — Hitting a Rough Patch
Picture: Counsel #27 — Hitting a Rough Patch CSL 44.1
Like any friendship, your relationship with Jesus can have tough times where doubts arise about His reality, love, loyalty, and trustworthiness. Perhaps you can't fully grasp God's ways, but remembering His actions of love in the past can help you continue trusting His mercy and power in the tough times. You can trust His loving guidance, knowing He has your best interests at heart. When struggling, ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and renew your connection and understanding of Jesus' greatness and love. Set aside your doubts and keep spending time in the Bible and prayer, even when you don't feel it. This consistent connection is like tending a flame; eventually, the light of God's presence will again fill your heart. Hold fast in faith, believing that even when your present circumstances seem like broken plans and failures, heaven’s eternal perspective will one day reveal the perfect and beautiful design God had for your life all along. Doubt makes us unstable, so trust God's love and choose to keep connecting with Him during rough patches.27 CSL 44.2
“…he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. …he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6, 8 NKJV CSL 44.3
“We can be thankful that in heaven all the things that we do not understand now will be explained and made clear.” Ellen White in Steps to Jesus , p.114 CSL 44.4
Reflect: If your connection with Jesus feels weak, is it possible that a particular sin you're struggling with is creating a barrier? CSL 44.5