There are times when life seems full.  Love is abounding, birds are singing and life feels utterly complete.

Then there are times when life feels empty.  Love is far from you, tragedy and fear seem to have a constant grip on you, and you don't know what to do.

In those times of suffering and pain, where do you turn?

You know a lot of people will tell you that if you become a Christian, all your problems will go away. Life will become a magical paradise of you and Jesus taking on the world.  But there's a problem there...Jesus never claimed that life would be a magical paradise.

"It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." - Philippians 1:29

"Everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." - 2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus knew all about suffering. He saw it. He lived it. He knows that we are going to experience it throughout our lives here on earth.  There are few things on this earth that are as hard as the pain that comes through tragedy, through heartbreak, through depression, through anxiety, through family problems, and through whatever other type of pain you may experience.  Now Jesus never said that we wouldn't feel it, but he did say that he would be there to give us hope, to give us comfort, and to simply love us when we need it most.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Jesus never lets us go.  Even when we feel that all is lost and no one is there, He is. He's the one that gives us the strength to keep moving. To day-by-day get a little better. He's the push that gets us out of bed.

"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it as waters gone by.  Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.  You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." - Job 11:16-18

When life is at that "how can I keep going" stage, remember that our troubles will soon pass like waters gone by.  Remember that when we have Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have a hope that never fails.  With Him, we can always lay our heads down and know that we rest and dwell in the safety of his arms.

Alysia Fuchs has been in the youth ministry realm for about eight years now. She has been especially involved in Girls Ministry for the last four years. Writing devotions and articles on godly living for teen girls is her passion. In her spare time, she loves to cook, clean, drink coffee, hike in the woods, and play with her dogs. She and her four dogs currently live in Ohio.