Even When It's Hard

God Loves Me  ·  Romans 8:28; James 1:2–4

God is working even in hard times.

Has something hard ever turned out to be good in the end? Like learning to ride a bike. Hard and wobbly at first, but then so wonderful! Today we hear what the Bible says about hard times. And what God is doing in them.

Paul wrote something that is easy to say but sometimes hard to believe:

'We know that in all things God works together for good, for the people who love Him.'

In ALL things. Not just the easy things. Not just the fun things. All things.

Even the hard things. Even the sad things. Even the confusing things.

God is working. Even when we can't see it.

James said: 'When you face hard things, think of it as joy. Because when your faith is tested, it grows stronger. And when your faith grows stronger, you become whole and complete.'

Think about a little seed. Under the ground in the dark and the cold. Pushed from all sides by the weight of the soil.

Is that hard? Yes!

But what happens? The seed becomes a plant. A tree. Something beautiful and strong.

Can you push your fists together? That's the pressure. Now slowly let one fist open and lift up like a sprout. Growing through it.

That is what God does in the hard times. He is always growing something.

Prayer

Let's pray. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
When things are hard,
help me to trust
that you are working.
We love you!
Amen.

Listen to this devotional with audio narration and illustrations in the Seedling: Bible Stories app — short devotionals for Christian families with children ages 2–5.