Sometimes my decisions hurt people, and sometimes I hurt myself with my choices. When things go wrong, I sometimes feel so ashamed that I can’t help but wonder: does God forgive everything?

The short answer is yes. God forgave King David after committing murder and adultery. Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of the people who crucified Him, and He forgave Peter for denying Him. In the Old Testament, we see time and time again that God redeemed His people after they strayed from Him and fell into idolatry. God’s divine power means there’s nothing we can do that He can’t forgive.

One of my favorite verses from the Psalms says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” That means once I’ve been forgiven of my sins by God, they can’t touch me. I’m free from that burden.

Why Does it Feel Like I Won’t Be Forgiven?

With so many stories of forgiveness in the Bible, why is it so hard to believe that God will forgive me? Part of the answer lies in the powerful emotions of guilt and shame.

God’s forgiveness is certainly vast, but in order to receive it, I need to seek it. I need to know I’ve made a mistake and desire to set things right. I should feel compelled to change by the knowledge that I’ve done something wrong. But when I become convinced that what I’ve done makes me a terrible person, it’s harder to accept forgiveness, even from God.

If you can relate, it may help to talk to someone about your feelings of shame so they can help you gain perspective. Prayer is also a powerful way to learn to forgive ourselves and to accept God’s forgiveness.

Have You Forgiven Yourself?

One of the biggest reasons I struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness is that I haven’t forgiven myself.

Think of someone you love dearly. Though forgiving them isn’t always easy, you want to forgive them because you love them. You recognize that they’re human.

You know that people you love make mistakes, but you don’t want to hold that against them. You want to restore the relationship. You want them to have the chance to learn and grow in the future.

When it’s hard to believe that God forgives you, remember He loves you and that He thinks you worthy of His love. He wants you to be free from that burden: all you have to do is accept that gift.

The Healing Journey

Forgiving ourselves and healing from our past is not a one-time “Aha!” moment. It’s a process. And accepting God’s forgiveness is a journey we take, one day at a time, as we work to heal from the choices, we made that hurt ourselves and others.
You are not alone in this process. We are here to listen and support you as you build your faith and work to better understand forgiveness. If you need help accepting forgiveness, reach out to a prayer partner, or talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine today. You have our support no matter what!

Accepting God's forgiveness is a huge step to healing.  Now it's time to break away from the past shame and guilt you are carrying, to forgive yourself. Find out how to forgive yourself here.

If you live with an addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol, or harmful behaviors like self-harm or pornography use, it feels terrible to relapse or slide back into those unhealthy patterns after you’ve started on the road to recovery. I’m here to tell you that addiction recovery is never impossible, even after a relapse. You can still continue recovering from addiction, and you can live a sober life.

Know You’re Not Alone

I read recently that somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of people experience a relapse on their recovery journey. If you go through a relapse, there are many other people (including people in your support system and recovery group) who have been there and who have felt what you’re feeling. And guess what: they are still on their journey. They are still making progress. And you can, too.

It often feels like no one understands what you’re going through in your addiction. But that’s a dangerous myth. Remember the truth: there are plenty of people who understand, who are there to listen, and who have grown stronger after relapses.

Think of a Relapse in a New Way

It is so easy to get stuck in a spiral of guilt and shame after a relapse. You feel humiliated, frustrated, and angry with yourself for slipping back into behaviors you promised you’d stop. But the truth is, that’s part of being human. And it doesn’t make you a bad person.

Many of the strongest people I know, whose work in recovery I truly admire, have had multiple relapses over the years. So, what’s the difference between the people who don’t return to recovery and the people who do?

They understand that they’ve experienced a setback. Of course, they acknowledge where and why things went wrong. But their relapse is never the end of their journey. It’s a steppingstone that helps them learn from their mistakes and grow stronger in their resolve to get back on track.

Accept Forgiveness

I know a relapse can feel like one of the lowest points in your life. But I also know that there is always a way out of places like that.

It helps me to remember that God has never abandoned me and that He wants me to learn about myself and grow closer to Him in times when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Many recovery plans include reliance on God (or a Higher Power) as a key part of what gives people the strength to start recovery, and to continue their recovery journey after a relapse.

It helps me so much to know that Jesus can sympathize with my weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15) and that He has given so many people the renewal they need to face their struggles. No matter where you are in your faith, God cares about you, There’s nothing He won’t forgive, and nothing He can’t help you overcome (Philippians 4:13).

If you can’t find faith in God during difficult times, I understand. There is always hope, and things can always get better. You can find love and forgiveness in friends you trust, family who love you, and people in your recovery group who know your struggles.

Make a Plan

Making a relapse prevention plan helps many people experience a fuller recovery and bounce back more quickly after setbacks.
Your therapist, or people in your recovery group, can help you make a plan that takes your relapse triggers into account, keeps you connected with your support system, and encourages healthy habits.

TheHopeLine can help, too. Our HopeCoaches have a lot of experience helping people find healing after relapse. If you’re ready to get help without judgment, email or chat with a HopeCoach today.

I believe in you, and I'm here to support you on every step of your recovery journey. Read my blog to discover 3 basic steps that are important for staying clean.

 

Addicted to Heroin and Oxycontin

John is 24 years old and grew up a drug addict. He’s been addicted to heroin, OxyContin, etc. since he was very young and went to the federal penitentiary system as a teenager. It still didn’t stop him from using. He used drugs in prison and had gang ties. He got out for a very short time, got caught with meth again and went back to prison. While in prison, John’s brother died in a high-speed chase while high on meth. John got out again and is trying to do good this time but he’s hitting some roadblocks along the way.

Told He Should Still Be in Prison

John says, I’ve never been able to cope. I cope by selling and doing drugs. I never even had a job. I don’t have a support system. My PO tells me, I can’t be around my family. She also told me; she didn’t think I should be out of prison. She said, “All you are is a gang member and you are violent. Your actions inside the penitentiary showed me what kind of person you are, and I have no idea why you are out of prison to this day.” John is clean now and says, I’ve been doing good. I’m clean and have been working, paying my bills, not getting high but I don’t know how to handle these things when I’ve been living the fast life for so long.

John realizes he was a criminal, but he wants to change his life. Seeing his brother die, was a wake-up call for John. He doesn’t want a life just full of heartbreak. John doesn’t know why his Parole Officer is trying to hold him back by saying negative things. He doesn’t want to believe the things she’s saying.

Peer to Peer: Advice Needed for John

What’s your best advice for John? We heard from Jennifer, David, Josh, Paula, and Andrew, who each had a story to tell and had some amazing advice for John on how he can cope with life and be the person he wants to be.

Turn the Negativity into Positivity

Jennifer shares that she’s been clean for 4 years. She lived a similar lifestyle to John as far as abusing drugs but has turned her life around. Throughout the struggle, there was so much negativity, people telling her, you can’t do this, you can’t do that. Jennifer says, you have to turn the negativity into positivity and prove them wrong and prove it to yourself.

As a Convicted Felon, You have to Push Harder

David just did 16 years in prison, so he knows exactly what John is going through. He knows what it’s like to be on the streets, having nothing and nobody. He also went back to drugs as soon as he got out but has now been clean for almost 2 years now.

David’s secret is…his wife. She saved his life. David’s a 4-time convicted felon and society looks at felons like they are the scum of the earth, and he says, “We are not.” John don’t let anyone tell you aren’t worth it. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Just because you’ve been to prison and had hard times doesn’t mean you give up. As a convicted felon, you have to push harder to do everyday things in life. John, get rid of the negative people in your life. It bothered me that your parole officer said you weren’t worth it and should be back in prison. It’s not true. You are well worth it, John!

You are Not Alone, Find a Support System like AA Meetings

Josh said, you are not alone, John. Josh got caught with dope and a gun. He was looking at some time but ended up getting out. AA meetings have really helped him find family and a support system, and meetings are everywhere. Stay away from people that aren’t good for you and remember there is always something else you can be working on. Josh is going to school now, when years ago he was selling drugs.

Help is Out There, You Have to Want to Find It

Paula was married once before and lost her husband to cancer. So, at that time, she was devastated and turned to alcohol and drugs. She had a son and had to realize that at one point her son was everything to her. She encourages John, “Help is out there, you have to want to find it. You have to want to be able to move forward in life and not let the negative people drag you down. What your PO is saying is not true. Don’t give up. Take the resources that are out there and find someone to fully open up to.”

Succeeded When Everyone Said He Would Fail

Andrew’s been through it. He’s been on his own since he was 14 years old and raised himself. Went to prison when he was 19 and got out when he was 24 years old. Now, he has a family with 3 kids. He has owned 2 successful businesses and has succeeded when everyone else told him he would fail. You have to take all that negative energy that comes in and turn it into positive energy.

It’s a daily struggle but today, 10 years later, he’s on his way to supervise a construction job. He wanted a better life for him and his family.

What advice would you give John?

Have you been in prison? Have you been addicted to drugs or lived the life of a criminal but turned your life around? Will you share your story and what helped you get through? Share in the comments below! What you have to say could be exactly what helps John and others get through this!

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

John said he tried the NA meetings route when he first got out but had an affair with the lady in charge of the NA meeting. There are roadblocks every way you turn but as so many of the people that have been there said, you must turn the mounds of negativity into mounds of positivity. People are going to tell you that you can’t do it, that you will fail, that you will end up back in prison, but that choice is up to you. I don’t want John to give up. He’s come a long way already…holding a job, being clean from drugs, paying his bills, and looking for ways to cope. He’s already doing so well.

Resources for Substance Abuse and Addiction:

For hope and help in overcoming substance abuse and addiction, download our free eBook for information and help to overcome your addiction, Understanding Substance Abuse.
Also, check out my blogs to help you work through addiction:

• Recovery from Addiction
• Staying Clean After an Addiction
• 6 Steps to Change Your Life
• The Opioid Epidemic

You are not alone! Others struggle with similar doubts, fears, and question God sometimes. Here are some of their stories:

• Megan’s Personal Story of Addiction
• Life as a Mother of an Addict and Felon

Need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, then: Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,

My podcast, our website, everything we do is entirely listener supported. If you’d like to help us to continue our work, please make a gift right now at our Give Now page.

Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope! 

When a friend loses faith in God or turns away from their religious community, it can be very painful. It hurts me especially when people in my own church leave during hardships or struggles with their faith.

It can be hard to know what to do or how to help, but you can still be present when a friend or family member loses faith.
Here are some things that have helped me stay strong in my faith.

God is Love

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. . . if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7,11

It can be frustrating when someone loses their faith in God, especially when their reasons don’t make sense to me, or when I feel like I would make different choices.

But it likely won’t help my loved one if their doubts and concerns are only met with anger and judgment from me.

We hear it all the time: God is love. His patience knows no bounds, and His love for us is not conditional. No matter how strong (or weak) our faith gets, God’s love remains the same. Reminding your friend of God’s deep love for them may be a comfort as they face this difficult time.

Ground Yourself

When people close to me are struggling in their faith, it’s that much more important for me to be sure that my own faith is bolstered.

Are you making time for prayer to ground yourself in your faith? Are you able to make it to regular services at your faith community? Do you have people in your place of worship who you regularly talk to about your struggles?

Nurturing your relationship with God and strengthening your ties with people in your faith community will be a great source of strength. It will keep you from feeling as drained as you would feel if you were facing your loved one’s faith struggles without any spiritual support.

Be Yourself

I want to encourage you when it comes to your family member or friend that is losing faith: your friendship can survive these ups and downs.

After all, your friendship has been through a lot before, and you’ve stayed close. It’s important to continue to spend quality time with your friend as you’re able and let them know you care about them.

Don’t forget, they care about you, too. And they value what you bring to the friendship. Keep being yourself and be there for your friend when you can. You can still have fun and you can still have meaningful times together. And of course, staying faithful to your friend will build them up when they need it most.

Faith and friendship can be challenging, but we’re here for you. Talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine when you have questions about belief, relationships, or working through conflict. You can get through this, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Is your friend struggling with feeling worthless? Read my blog, to find out how God views them.  HIS love is perfect, unconditional and pure!

If you've read my blog, My Boyfriend Hurt Me, you may be troubled just like I am. So, I've decided to write another post about what I feel may be the biggest reason why girls give in to guys.

Desire to Feel Loved

I believe some girls give in to guys because they're searching for love and think they will find it by having sex.  Most girls don't say, "I want sex with my boyfriend."  They say, "How can I get my boyfriend to love me?"  Then bargain away their bodies hoping he will stay.  Some of your comments brought this up.  For example, Ally said, "I imagine that if I were in the same spot [as Alicia], the things that would go through my mind would be, If I do not do this, they will not accept me. They won't like me anymore. They'll find someone else."

Ally's fear is if she does not give in to her boyfriend's pressure, he will leave her and she won't be loved anymore.  Mandy's comment was especially powerful, "When I have sex, I feel loved and wanted, that's why I give in. Hoping that something will come out of it and it never does. If I can feel wanted, even if it's in a sexual way, I like it, but yet on the other hand, I don't."
Mandy couldn't have put it any clearer.  For the relatively few brief moments she is having sex, Mandy somehow feels loved.  But after it's over, the empty words she's heard and being alone again only leaves her unfulfilled and searching for more.

Sex by Itself Is Not Love

I received a comment from a really honest guy who doesn't seem to understand how some girls grasp for love and will put up with anything to get it. Garrett wrote, "I am 16 years old.  I really love this girl but I feel really bad about what I do to her.  She knows I cheat on her with this other girl, but she keeps coming back. I feel so bad.  I don't know what to do and it makes me feel desperate and really bad inside."

What Garrett and many others don't seem to understand is sex in and of itself is not love.  People have loveless sex every day (like friends with benefits).  You can also have love without sex.  (Think of a man who loves his wife deeply, but she is dying of cancer.  Can he not love her without having sex with her?)  Genuine sex is a physical, emotional, and spiritual expression of true love.  But true love demands deep commitment, trust, and respect.

Left Wanting More Love

While sex (for sex's sake) can never meet someone's need for love, it does stir up a deep desire for it.  That is why sex (for sex's sake) is so cruel.  When a guy has sex with a girl, she almost always feels closer to him and wants true love in return.  But then he leaves her, and she is left wanting even more love, and instead she feels alone and used.

There's no use looking for love with all the wrong people, doing all the wrong things. You won't find it there.
I'd love to hear from you....why do you think girls give in to guys when they don't want to?

Are you looking for love in all the wrong places?  Read this...you might have a Love Addiction.

When getting to know someone as a single person, we often ask ourselves if we’re just friends, or if there is something more. It can be confusing, since you can have warm feelings for someone who wouldn’t be a good fit for you in a relationship. On the other hand, plenty of friendships have blossomed into romantic relationships.

I understand the feeling. I hope these ideas encourage you to feel more confident and comfortable talking to people close to you.

Don’t Rush It

One of the most important things I learned when getting to know people is to take my time. There’s a lot of pressure to “define the relationship”. Your friends may try to sway you one way or the other, but it’s important to take your time and do what you can to understand your feelings clearly.

Your friend may be trying to figure out their feelings, too. Giving things time and space is essential to maintaining healthy boundaries in the relationship, no matter where it goes in the future.

Whenever I’m in a period of waiting like that, I find that taking time to pray helps me gain greater peace than if I were to face things in my own strength. God will give you strength in times when you’re wondering what’s coming next for a close relationship. He cares about you, your friend, and your feelings

Talk Things Through

If you’ve been getting to know someone for a while and you’re open to pursuing a relationship, there will come a time when you’ll have to talk about your feelings. If you suspect that your friend might have feelings for you, it’s okay to ask them about it.

It can be hard to have this conversation. It’s not easy to put yourself out there. After all, you don’t know 100% how things will turn out. But if waiting to talk about it becomes stressful, overwhelming, or confusing, it’s time to have a conversation. You can talk to them about:

• How you feel about the relationship
• How you feel about them
• What you like about them and getting to know them
• Where you’d like to see the relationship go

After this conversation, it’s important to give your friend time to answer honestly. If your friend comes to you to ask about the possibility of a romantic relationship, you can:

• Let them know whether you’d like to have a romantic relationship or not
• Let them know if you need more time to process things

Whatever you decide, answer honestly. Your feelings may be difficult to share, but I promise you this: being honest in the moment will save you a lot of unnecessary pain in the future.

Move Forward with Respect

Whatever comes of talking about your feelings, it’s important to respect your friend’s wishes about the future of the relationship, don’t pressure or push them into a situation they’re not comfortable with. And if you feel they’re trying to do that to you, take a step back and get some support if you need it.

Do your best to express gratitude for the friendship, even if times are tough.

If you’re dating someone, it’s normal to have a strong attraction. It’s part of the joy, after all. But it can be hard to stay committed to waiting until marriage when you are drawn to someone you care about.

I know it can be difficult, especially when so many people confuse lust and love. But I also know it’s possible to stay true to your beliefs.

I’ve got a few suggestions for setting healthy boundaries in dating. I hope they help you feel more comfortable and confident in your dating relationship.

How to Manage Temptation and Maintain Purity

1. Communication is Key

It’s important that you and your boyfriend or girlfriend are on the same page when it comes to what you’re comfortable with in your relationship. If you’re both wanting to wait to have sex until you’re married, it will be easier to work together to accomplish that. But it’s not impossible to make that commitment if you have two different perspectives. It’s just a matter of having an honest conversation and respecting one another.

If your partner wants to wait and you’re having a hard time, focus on how much you love them and the sacrifices you’re willing to make for them. If your girlfriend or boyfriend wants to move things forward physically, but you’re not ready, tell them why waiting is important to you.

2. Focus on Connection

There are plenty of ways other than sex to share intimacy with someone you love. It’s good to balance things out so that not all your focus is on physical affection anyway.

Do things you enjoy together, or try taking up a new hobby, game, sport, or craft with them. Take a drive to a park, museum, or tourist attraction you’ve never visited before. You’ll be surprised by what you learn about one another and how much fun you have together when you’re trying something new.

Another great way to connect is to get to know people who are dear to your boyfriend or girlfriend. Ask them about their family and close friends, look at old pictures, and arrange a visit if you can. You’ll treasure those memories and deepen your bond together.

3. Take it One Day at a Time

It can be intimidating to think of “waiting until you’re married”, especially if your romantic relationship is new. But you can do it. Just take things one day at a time. If you feel pressure, give yourself space, or do more things with a group.

Be patient with yourself. You were created by God to feel strong feelings and learning how to discuss and manage those feelings is a process, not a one-time decision.

When you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. You can learn from that experience, make adjustments, and move forward in your relationship.

If you need help setting boundaries in dating relationships, we are here for you. Talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeline anytime. We are a judgment-free zone, and we believe in you and your relationship.

Do you still need help and reasons to wait for sex? Read my blog that gives 10 reasons why it might be actually worth it to wait.

How to Handle Grief

One of the truest things I’ve learned about grief is this: it never fully goes away. Because grieving is so difficult, it may be hard to accept this at first.

But think of it this way: you’re grieving the loss of someone you care about. You will always love them and miss them, and they will always be important to you.

There’s no need to fear grief or try to push it out of your mind. But when it comes out of nowhere, it can be alarming. It’s normal to feel a little derailed by grief, and I’ve definitely been there before, too. Here are some ideas that may help.

Get to Know Your Grief

If you’ve read any grief resources, you know that everyone grieves differently. You may be able to avoid or lessen some of the “surprise attacks” grief can bring. Start by asking yourself some questions:

What does grief feel like for me?

• Where do I feel it in my body?
• How do I express my feelings?
• What are the dominant emotions I feel?

What has happened before and during past “grief attacks”?

• What was I doing?
• Where was I?
• When these moments happened, had I been sleeping well?
• How was my nutrition?

You don’t have to force yourself to grieve another way or pressure yourself to stop grief from hitting you out of nowhere. But understanding your grief may help you better anticipate it so you’re not as shaken up by it.

Breathe and Pray

Sudden grief can feel similar to an anxiety attack, a panic attack, or other mood swings that impact our mental health.
In those moments, it really helps me to do two things: breathe and pray.

Breathing deeply – in through your nose, out through your mouth – helps you feel more grounded in the moments when grief gets overwhelming. In the moments when you’re troubled at the loss of your loved one, try taking a few deep breaths. If you can, find a quiet place to regroup. Closing your eyes while deep breathing can also help you feel more centered.

Prayer also helps me when I’m grieving. I might feel sorrow about the loss of my loved one. I might be angry, even with God. My grief might be so strong some days, I struggle with believing God is there. No matter where my heart is, what my emotions are, or how I’m feeling physically, God cares about me. He cares about your grief, too. It is okay to lean on Him in prayer and to ask others to pray for you.

Get Help Right Away

If someone close to you has died, I know missing them can overwhelm you, even if you’re making every effort to take care of yourself and manage your emotions.

You don’t have to despair. Get grief support right away. Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine who cares about you. And know I’m praying for you and the loved ones you’ve lost. Even when your grief is strongest, you are never alone.

Did you know anger is a necessary part of the grieving process? Learn more about grief and how to understand someone in grief.

We also have a partner, GriefShare, who is a caring support group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences.

Where’s God in My Suffering?

Tiffany says, “My life is a mess. I just feel like everything is wrong.” Tiffany’s dad died 6 years ago, and everything seemed to go downhill after her dad passed away. Her brother became a drug addict and has done every drug known to man. He got kicked out of rehab last month. Her sister is depressed. Her mom has PTSD and acts out on everything. Tiffany wants to know, “Where is God in all this and why doesn’t He answer my prayers?” She feels praying is useless because every time she gets closer to God, something else goes wrong. Plus, she gets no response, is abandoned and left alone to handle all her struggles.

Everyone has told her the scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But she says, it doesn’t make sense because she’s suffered so much, and suffering seems harmful.

God’s Near to the Brokenhearted

“God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) I think God is preparing Tiffany for something tremendous, to be able to minister to others who feel God has left them.

Peer to Peer: Advice Needed for Tiffany

Tiffany needs to know she’s not alone. We asked for you to share your advice and encouragement with Tiffany. Alex, Rose, and Julia all called in with impactful messages of hope to encourage Tiffany and help her get through this hard time in her life.

It’s Going to Get Better

Alex has a similar story to Tiffany’s. Alex’s mom passed away 12 years ago, and she has 2 siblings who’ve struggled with addiction. Her sister eventually stopped doing the drugs and gave her life to Christ. Alex says to Tiffany, “I know it seems like chaos right now, and a lot of times that is life that we have to go through, but you are building your testimony. Your testimony is going to help so many other people that you don’t even know.” Alex says God has allowed her to be a light to her 4 siblings. She knows it’s difficult to go through the hard times but that’s why we lean on Christ and keep praying! It’s going to get better!

God Didn’t Mean for Us to Do This Alone

Rose’s mom passed away unexpectedly when her mom was only 45 years old. A year after her mom passed, her sister died by suicide. Then 3 years later, her bother who was strung up in addiction, died by suicide. She says, it’s really hard to see a family member struggle through addiction. Rose says find a church family to help you Tiffany. Find community & support from other believers, who can lift you up and encourage you. God didn’t mean for us to do this alone. She said if she hadn’t had her church community and small group, she would not have walked through it all in such a positive way. Rose shared the scripture, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) She said, if you don’t already have a church, go find one because there are so many warm, welcoming churches.

It Prepared Me for Today

Julia said when she heard Tiffany telling her story, she instantly felt the need to call in. She had been in a very bad place, wondering where God was and if he was listening to her, and where was He in all the suffering?

About 5 years ago, Julia was dating someone when she was 19 and became pregnant. Things started getting worse in the relationship. First, it was verbal abuse, then physical abuse and then one thing after another. She didn’t know how to get out or who to turn to. She kept thinking, why would God let someone do this to me? Julia said she got out of all of it, and she looks back today and realizes it was preparing her for her life now. Now, she’s a mother and knows what kind of respect and treatment she deserves. She knows God is always there with her. Even though she didn’t know He was there before, she can see now, He was there with her and working in her life. It will get better. Reach out to God!

What advice would you give Tiffany?

Have you ever felt like your life was falling to pieces? Or questioned where God was during your struggles? Will you share your story and what helped you get through? Share in the comments below! What you have to say could be exactly what helps Tiffany and others get through this!

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Your life might be a mess right now. Everything might be going wrong. But if you listen to others to have been in that place, like Alex, Rose, and Julia, they are telling Tiffany (and you), it will get better. It might not feel as if God is listening or helping you right now, but He is working in ways you can’t see. Tell God how you are feeling, what your struggles are, and ask for His help.

God’s Got a Plan

Paul said, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) He calls our trials momentary, light afflictions in comparison to the rewards we have ahead of us. We will get to the other side, and it will make sense. Meanwhile, Tiffany, don’t give up because God hasn’t given up. He has a plan and is working right now!

Resources for Hope During Dark Times:

If you are feeling like your life is a mess right now and you need hope during this hard time, we have an awesome eBook just for you: Understanding Hope: How to Find Hope.
Also, check out my blogs to help you work through your struggles:

• How Can I Find Hope?
• Why Do Bad Things Happen?
• The Beauty in Pain
• We All Go Through Dark Times
• God Wants to Hear from You! How to Pray

You are not alone! Others struggle with similar doubts, fears, and question God sometimes. Here are some of their stories:

• I was Feeling Overwhelmed and Alone
• You are Never Alone
• Emotional Pain
• Don’t Lose Hope

Need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, then: Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,

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Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope!