All relationships can be difficult at times, but they should not be destructive to our well-being. Learn the difference between a destructive pattern and a difficult season with this free resource, “Is This Normal? 15 Red Flags You May Be Missing in Your Relationships.”

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How to Hold On to Hope in Your Most Devastating Seasons

March 12, 2018

Have you been feeling like you’re in desperate need of some hope to make it through your difficult circumstances? I know what it’s like to be where you are…

…to wonder if you’ll ever survive this time of suffering and come out on the other side.
…to receive devastating news that makes your mind race, your throat tighten and your eyes swollen from crying.
…to try to pray to God in those moments where He feels so incredibly distant.

The last couple years of my life I’ve had to face one hardship after another. At many points I’ve wondered how I would make it through. It’s hard to feel confident in the goodness of God when circumstances don’t at all feel good.

But that’s exactly why I created “How to Hold On to Hope in Your Most Devastating Seasons.” To remind us that God is near to us in our heartbreak and He cares about our despair. With this resource, you’ll be equipped to:

  • Find comfort in the midst of painful situations with specific scriptures that show the Lord is with you and for you.
  • Stop trying to control or manipulate circumstances by resting in the reality that God is the One who will fight this battle.
  • Stand strong in the face of devastation by clinging to five core truths we must believe and live out.

Download it for free today by clicking here.

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20 Comments
  1. Suzi Metcalfe

    Our Women’s Bible Study has our wrap-up to “Uninvited” this week. I’m ready to see what you have to say next. Thank you for this!

    Reply
  2. Jane Waln

    Thank you, Lysa. Your message was needed today. Praise God for His provision through your wise words and comforting thoughts.

    Reply
    • Tammie Canerday

      A devastating season is one of nursing facilities or assisted living homes. How can we encourage these to continue to walk with Jesus? To resist the hopelessness that whispers at every turn and the loneliness that screams so silently?

      Reply
      • Kristi

        Hi Tammie, I appreciate your question so much because my husband has young onset dementia. Now at stage 6 he is living in a care home. Speaking scripture and words of Gods truth is powerful. There is so much that he no longer understands. But he hears truth and is able to respond with praise or a statement of trusting God.

        Reply
  3. Noreen

    Tried to download this but I got a 404 error message. Did not receive it via email either.

    Reply
    • Lysa TerKeurst

      Hey friend! We fixed the link, and it is working now 🙂
      Thanks and so sorry for the inconvenience!
      – Mary Scott, LT Ministry Team

      Reply
  4. Louise

    Lisa,
    The download link does not work,

    Reply
    • Lysa TerKeurst

      Hey friend! We fixed the link, and it is working now 🙂
      Thanks and so sorry for the inconvenience!
      – Mary Scott, LT Ministry Team

      Reply
  5. Jessica

    I have been in a devastating season for 3 years with my chronic health, finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in November and am getting the treatment I so need but our oldest child is now estranged, I pray that this season ends soon but I know I was not promised a life free from pain but a God that holds my hand each step of the way.

    Reply
  6. Charmaine

    I needed this. Thank you. I don’t even remember the last time I thought life was good or easy. I have prayed for something to encourage me. This email came at exactly the right moment. I have printed this and inserted it into my prayer binder. This will be something I visit daily.

    Reply
  7. Kim

    Thank you for this! I came to your site this morning, needing some encouragement and hope (dealing with anxiety), and I found this!! God knew what I needed, and thank you so much for providing it!

    Reply
  8. Sylvia Rodriguez

    You will never fully comprehend how you HELPED ME with your How to…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  9. Ange

    Great word! My own 5 year journey has involved separation, the death of my mother, divorce, car accident with cracked ribs ++++.
    I am so grateful for the Hope of things to come in Jesus!

    Reply
  10. Amy Shupe

    I have just finished the devotional “Unglued” and I am going to start it again from the beginning. Its that good!!!! Lysa really nails it and I could relate easily to all that she said. My prayer is to apply all the little nuggets of wisdom to my own life. I enjoyed the devotional so much i plan to buy copies for my daughters for Mother’s Day. Thank you so much Lysa for a book that is desperately needed in this world today.

    Reply
  11. Brenda

    Lisa, I just wanted to see how you are doing. Are you feeling better?. How are the girls doing and the boys? I pray that our father has covered you with His holy love. Can about wait to read your new book

    Reply
  12. Lost

    Any words for a person who has reached a point that is beyond hope and belief? This “season” of desert, alone & isolation has been 3.5 yrs.
    I was a faithful servent for 14, I remember the days of our constant communion, His presence, guidance, Holy Spirt. No whisper, no Spirit, no guidance, no presence. Stopped praying because it seems useless and on deaf ears. I’ve begged, pleaded, sobbed for 1 glimpse, 1 whisper for 3 yrs….. nothing. Not asking for anything other than a small whisper that He is still there.
    The worst part is having had that closeness, fullness, purpose & now nothing but hopelessness & empty. I’ve discipled, not attached to worldly, given all to the brink of nothing. If He knows all, then He knows the depth of despair and thoughts of suicide. I am not understanding after pursuing, seeking, praying – that I’ve finally just laid it down and turned my back. Like trying to mend a relationship with someone who has no interest in doing so.. you finally just let go, grieve the loss of what was and stop being hurt by the unresponse.
    Please don’t tell me what scriptures tell of His promises….I’ve gone down that road and have come to the difficult point of believing them.

    Reply
    • Jacqueline

      Lost: I have experienced that too and all I can say is that since we have experienced the God of the universe who loves us immensely, we wait until His perfect timing when He knows our hearts are ready again to receive it. Stay enduring my friend. I have been in that season for 5 years now. My only question is do we still love Him and follow Him when we can’t see or feel Him? Like faith without sight…the Israelites went 400 years without seeing God. Jesus said blessed are those who don’t need signs…

      Reply
  13. Rita

    I have just started reading Uninvited. As long as I can remember I have been on the outside looking in. I have even been left out by my family. I don’t know what I have done to have my family and my daughter want nothing to do with me. My sister has always been hateful to me and turned my brother and my oldest daughter against me and most of my cousins. I sit at times and wonder why God has put me on this earth?? Why can’t someone love me??

    Reply
  14. Lori Kersh

    I so needed to hear this today. In the midst of brokenness and dispair. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth Burkley

    Hi Beautiful Lysa,
    I have been thinking of you and praying for you. If I was your friend I’d be asking you to go on a lot of coffee brunch dates and to talk and cry! I pray you have a friend like that! My heart breaks for you. I’m glad you are in the hands of Jesus! This world is a harsh place and I never saw this coming for you and you didn’t deserve it! Sending so much love your way. Wish I could send you a care package! May God bless you in so much more abundance than I could ever pray for you,
    Elizabeth B.

    Reply
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