When Life Gets Tough: How to Remember God's Faithfulness

I was in a difficult season, feeling like God was distant, and I was wondering why things weren't working out. Sometimes, when life gets tough, I can forget all the amazing things God has done for me. You know those "God moments"—when He answered my prayers, opened an unexpected door and changed my life, or gave me peace when nothing else made sense. Yet, when struggles hit, these moments can get buried under the weight of my current problems. Have you been in this place?

This struggle isn't new—it's something God's people have always faced. In Exodus 13, Moses commands the Israelites never to forget how God brought them out of slavery in Egypt. The Israelites had just experienced one of the greatest miracles in history: God delivered them from slavery with plagues, the Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. But not long after, when things got tough in the wilderness, they quickly forgot God's faithfulness. In Exodus 16:3 (ESV), they even grumbled, saying, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt!" Despite all God had done, they lost sight of His faithfulness. Sound familiar? God knew they would face tests of faith as they ventured into the wilderness. He urged them to remember His faithfulness. But let's be real—how many of us forget even the biggest "God moments" when life turns upside down?

Why Remembering Matters

We forget what God has done when we believe we're on our own. Remembering God's faithfulness in the past isn't just an exercise—it's a spiritual weapon for fighting today's battles. Here's why it's so important:

1. It Shifts Our Focus and Rekindles Gratitude. When we're in the middle of a struggle, fear and anxiety can become bigger than God in our minds. But when we pause to remember how He's moved in the past, it reorients our focus from fear to faith. This act of remembering stirs gratitude in our hearts, and gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist. By focusing on God's past faithfulness, we push back feelings of fear, frustration, and despair. Fear shrinks, and gratitude grows in the presence of a heart that remembers God's faithfulness.

2. It Gives Us the Courage to Keep Going. Remembering God's past faithfulness builds a bridge of trust for the future. It doesn't just encourage us—it gives us the courage to take the next step, trusting that the God who delivered us before will deliver us again. Our past experiences with God are proof that He's not done with us yet.

3. It Reminds Us We're Not Alone. Remembering isn't just for our benefit—it connects us with others. Sharing our stories of God's faithfulness reminds the people around us that they're not alone in their struggles. It builds community and faith within the body of Christ.

   
   

The Israelites' Struggle—and Ours

In Exodus 13, Moses commands the Israelites to tell their children about how God delivered them from slavery: "You shall tell your son on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8 ESV) This wasn't just about preserving history but about passing on faith to future generations. God knew the Israelites would face trials in the wilderness, and He wanted them to pass down stories of His faithfulness so they wouldn't forget who He is. The same is true for us today. What can you tell your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew about what God has done for you?

Like the Israelites, we tend to forget God's past faithfulness when facing present challenges. But the same God who brought them through the wilderness is the God who is walking with us through our struggles today. The key is to remember.

Practical Ways to Remember God's Faithfulness

If you're struggling right now, here are a few practical ways to remember God's faithfulness and let it fuel your faith for the future:

1. Journal Your "God Moments." Write down moments where God showed up in your life—answered prayers, unexpected blessings, or times of peace in chaos. When life gets tough, go back and read those entries. It's a tangible way to remind yourself that God is still working.

2. Share Your Story with Someone. Whether with a friend, in a small group, or online, sharing what God has done in your life builds faith in others. It also strengthens your faith when you speak it out loud. Your testimony isn't just for you—it's a lifeline for someone else.

3. Celebrate Spiritual Milestones. Just like we celebrate birthdays, why not celebrate the anniversaries of when God moved in your life? Maybe it's the day He healed a relationship or provided during a financial crisis. Set reminders to celebrate those moments and reflect on His faithfulness.

   
   

A Call to Action: Remember to Fight Forgetfulness

When life gets tough, don't let the struggles erase your memories of God's faithfulness. Be intentional about remembering how He's worked in your life. Write it down, share it, and celebrate it—because those stories are the fuel that will keep your faith burning, even in the hardest of times. Remembering isn't just an option—it's a spiritual discipline that fuels your faith for the future.

Today, I challenge you: What has God done in your life that you need to remember? Take a few minutes to pause, reflect, and write it down. Then, share that story with someone else. In doing so, you'll not only strengthen your faith, but you'll encourage others to trust in God's faithfulness as well.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember Your faithfulness in every season. When fear and doubt rise, remind me of how You've provided, healed, and guided me. Stir gratitude in my heart and give me the courage to trust You with my struggles. May I never forget that You are with me, and Your grace is enough for today and every day. Amen.

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