Trusting God When Times Are Hard

For a happy life, perspective is key.

After her older son’s football game one Friday night, author and speaker Chrystal Evans Hurst drove her younger kids to a fast-food place for dinner. On the way home, traffic was heavy, bumper to bumper for miles. When traffic finally thinned, the driver in front of Chrystal sped up, so she sped up, too. But just as quickly the driver in front of her hit his brakes, forcing Chrystal to hit hers.

The good news: she and her son were wearing their seatbelts, which kept them safe despite their sudden stop.

The bad news: her son’s soda went flying. The cup hit the windshield, the lid came off, and the contents splashed everywhere – into her face, her hair, and all over her dashboard, steering wheel, and stereo. To this day, certain buttons still stick.

In the aftermath, the difference between Chrystal’s perspective and her son’s became clear. Her first words were to her son. She asked, “Are you okay?” She knew how close they’d come to getting into an accident and one of them suffering injury.

His first words were, “My soda!” He was concerned about something that had little value and was easily replaced.

How often is our perspective about life askew? We become more focused on the life that we thought we’d have instead of the actual life God has given us.

We can trust God will take care of us in good times and bad because we belong to Jesus. We are His workmanship and His children. Matthew 7:11 says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Trusting God When Times Are Hard,” we’re airing a recording of a talk Chrystal Evans Hurst gave at a Women of Joy event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Chrystal is a dynamic speaker, much like her father, Dr. Tony Evans. She shares how to find peace and hope by allowing Jesus to turn the thorns our brokenness into a crown.

Listen on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

If you need help shaping your perspective, we have caring Christian counselors on staff, and it would be their privilege to offer you a free consultation. Call us, leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you just as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Chrystal’s book She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You and a free audio download of this broadcast are available for a gift of any amount. We’ll send you a copy as our way of saying thank you for your partnership. (Check our website for details.)