“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Suffering and pain are a part of life. Yet, as Christians, our sufferings can seem heightened since we are battling against natural and spiritual forces.

There are seasons where we can’t keep going. It’s as if we are fighting an uphill battle or carrying a heavy burden up a rocky mountain. 

Persevering till the end might feel impossible, but here are five practices that will help you keep going.

Seek Comfort in God’s Arms

It’s easy to feel alone in our sufferings. However, God is with us through it all, just as He was with the disciples amidst the storm (Mark 4:35-41). We can lean and rely on Him.

Don’t hold back. Pour out your heart to Him.

Tell him how much it hurts. How tired, frustrated, angry, and disappointed you are. Your feelings and emotions won’t offend Him. He already knows.

Let Him comfort you. Hear His still, small voice that brings peace (1 Kings 19:12-13).

When you feel tempted to run to counterfeit comforts, seek God. Listen to praise and worship music. Play it in your home, car, and workplace if possible.

Draw strength from His Word.

Get acquainted with or rediscover the story of Job in the Bible. It will help you gain perspective on suffering and understand that God is always in control.

Hold on to Prayer

When in pain, it can be hard to stick to spiritual disciplines. Everything is exponentially harder.

Nonetheless, even if you can’t do anything else, pray. It doesn’t need to be elaborate; simply authentic and genuine. 

• Practice Breath Prayer: Pray as you breathe. For example, (Inhale) “Lord” / (Exhale) “Help me.” ; (Inhale) “Father” / (Exhale) “I need You”. You can say it out loud or in your mind.
• Prayer Journal: Write down your prayers when you struggle to speak. As you write, the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself and breathe life into you.
• Lament: Don’t suppress yourself. Cry. Scream if you need to. Groan, know that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when our words fail us (Romans 8:26-27).
• Use Prayer Resources: When you want to pray but can’t find the right words, prayer resources, such as prayer books, apps, cards, and our free prayer bundle, can provide structure and guidance. 

Pray, even when you don’t feel like it, for “the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” – James 5:16

Seek Community

You don’t have to fight and suffer alone. We are members of the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and are encouraged to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

Talk to trusted friends and family. Allow them to help and support you in any way they can.

We are often ashamed because we are struggling. However, there is no shame in suffering. Our Lord suffered, and we are no greater than He (John 13:16).

We can be encouraged by the fact that our brethren in Christ worldwide share in our pain (1 Peter 5:9). We are not alone.

Don’t be afraid to seek help. Lean on your church community and mentors.

If you don’t have a church home, this might be a good time to seek one. See if you can find one near you that offers services and help tailored to your specific trials.

Rest

Our physiological and psychological makeup demands that we rest. We cannot function well without rest, which is truer during challenging periods.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus tells us to come to Him, and He will give us REST.

Thus, when you can’t keep going, take a break. This might look different for each person or season, but practices like taking a nap and disconnecting from the outside world greatly help.

If you can afford to, take a break from certain responsibilities. Delegate tasks at work, hire someone to take care of a particular chore or have someone babysit your kids for a night.

Examine your lifestyle and see what you can reduce because you need all the strength and energy right now.

Also, avoid adding more things to your plate. This is a good time to practice healthy, biblical boundaries.

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

In Hebrews 12:2, we are called to look to Jesus, who endured to the end.

He has won the victory, and as the pioneer of our faith, He sets the pace for us.

We can be encouraged, knowing that “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”- 1 Peter 5:10.

He promises to be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20), never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), works everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and gives us peace that surpasses all understanding (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).

Conclusion

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

We may not be able to keep holding on by our own strength, but we know His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). 

Thus, we can hold on, but let us do it with God. Let us lean on Him and draw strength from Him. 

Keep holding on, for weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).