GOD GIVES YOU HOPE
Read Psalm 119:50
What can comfort you? What can God’s promises give? A promise is when someone makes a statement that they will do a particular thing or that a specific thing will happen. When someone makes a promise and keeps it, you start to trust them. The next time that person makes you a promise, you will trust them. If the person is always faithful to do what he or she says, then you will have hope. Hope is when you expect or want something to happen. God is always faithful to make His promises come true. If you watch Him work, you will see them come true. As you watch God faithfully do what He promises, you will start to have hope in all situations, especially the bad ones. The hope God provides can help you get through something tough. Here are examples of how God gives hope: – You have a family member that is sick. God promises that He is in control. This gives you hope that no matter what happens, God will make it a good situation. – God promises you good things. You can hope that a bad situation will turn to good. Can you think of any other ways God gives you hope that comforts you in bad situations?
GOD COMFORTS YOU WHEN YOU FACE DEATH
Read Psalm 23:4
Does God comfort you when you face death? You hopefully have a lot of life left to live, but it’s good for you to know now that God will give you comfort in life and in death. There are many people who die every day. In Christ, there is no need to be scared of death. He has overcome it and when you believe in Him, death just means leaving the earth. Knowing this truth will comfort you when you go through the death of a family member or friend. It will also comfort you when you are facing death. Remember, those who believe in Jesus don’t die. They just move to heaven. Are you comforted knowing God has given you a way to overcome death?
GOD COMFORTS YOU WHEN YOU ARE HURT
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
What does God do for us when we hurt? What can we do for others? God promises that He will give you comfort when you are hurt. You learned last week that you can trust God to turn bad things into good things. This alone can give you comfort. He also will give you comfort when you experience hard times through His Word, good friends, His promises, and just knowing that He is there. After you have gone through something hard, God will give you the opportunity to help comfort others. What ways has God given you comfort? How can you comfort another in the same way God comforted you? Is there someone in your life who you can comfort today?
GOD IS YOUR REFUGE
Read Psalm 9:9
Who is the Lord a refuge for? How is God described in times of trouble? A stronghold is a place built to protect people under attack. An example of a stronghold is a tornado shelter. If you have a tornado shelter, you would take refuge in it when a tornado attacks. God is telling you that He is your stronghold. He is able to protect you from any attack life may bring. You have a place to run to when you are burdened with tough stuff. Attacks are meant to damage a person. A stronghold doesn’t necessarily prevent the attacks from happening, but it will protect you from being damaged. When life attacks, God is there as a refuge and WILL protect you from damage that hurts your soul and character. What are some ways God can be your refuge in tough times?
YOU CAN TALK TO GOD
Read Philippians 4:6-7
What should you not do? What should you do instead? What does God give you when you pray to Him? God has given you a great tool for comfort… prayer. When you have worries, you can easily be comforted when you give it to God. There is no fancy way to do it, just go in your room, close the door and have a conversation with God about what is going on. Having peace is having freedom from things that disturb and destroy you. When you give things to God through prayer, you will have freedom from your worry and your tough situation because you will trust that God has it under control! Pray for a tough situation today. After praying, write how God has given you comfort.