As always, everyone on this page has agreed to accept e-mail from anyone who wishes to write to them for advice or encouragement.

We've all experienced periods of trials or struggles from time to time in our lives. What one verse or passage from the Bible has helped you, more than any other, to get through these times, and how did it help?

Katie: My "BIGGEST" period of struggles and trials have just been recently. I went through A LOT in my childhood, and have really struggled with this...WHY me, being the ONLY girl in my family, did I go through so much physical and sexual abuse? https://members.tripod.com/~Storming/memories.html
I could NEVER figure out WHY. Just recently the Lord told me WHY I went through all of this GARBAGE! The Lord told me that He was going to use me to minister to other young women that have gone through, or are going through, this same type of situation that I went through!

The passage of scripture that really has been such an encouragement to me is James 1:2-5 "[2] My brethren count it ALL joy when ye fall into diver's temptation's; [3] Knowing this that the TRYING of your faith worketh patience, [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting NOTHING. [5] If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

This passage encouraged me so much because I could see that the Lord was with me the entire time, even though I didn't know Him at the time when I endured all of this abuse! My encouragement to ANY young people that may be going through this type of situation is that the Lord will NEVER leave YOU nor forsake you! He is right there with you even if you can't see Him, because it is in these times that the Lord is carrying you! Just rest in His love and mercy! God Bless You!!! Love, Katie French!

Katie (35 years old)

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Dave: If I had to choose just one, I would have to pick Isaiah 40:29-31 (especially v.31)

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fail: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

No matter what situation or circumstances I find myself in, if I concentrate on this passage, I remember that the Lord is faithful to keep His promises. We are told that the Lord will meet our needs, if we will only trust Him and put our complete faith in Him. Sometimes that can be difficult. Believe me, I know! But even in times where I've lost sight of this, when I finally do remember these verses, and place my faith in Him, and wait upon Him, He never fails me. He won't fail you either. Sometimes it takes a little waiting, but if we are faithful, and don't let doubt crowd our thoughts, He will always be there.

Dave (33 years old)

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Penny: There has been many a time when our paychecks are less than what we have expected. I start to worry from time to time about the bills and grocery money when this happens. Especially during the summer, since I don't work. Even though I try to make summer job plans it never works out. I believe it's a test of faith to see if this summer I'll be concerned, or just trust in Him, since He always supplies what is needed. Definitely Matt 6:28-34 puts me back into His perspective.

Matthew 6:28-34, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'Wherewithal shall we be clothed?' (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morning: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Penny (27 years old)

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Shane: Philippians 1:6,
"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it."

Shane (26 years old)

Rafael: Well, this question is a little difficult, because my Bible is in Spanish. (Because that's my language, you know) So I'm not very sure about the name of the book. In Spanish it's called "Deuteronomio." It's the 5th book of the Old Covenant. Anyway, a year after my mother died I was asking God why that happened, and I found that verse in my Bible with my mother's writing. In that verse was the answer to my prayer, because it says that the secret things (the reason of my mother's death) belong to God, but the ones that we know (she is in heaven, and hopefully I will see her someday) are given to us. So we rejoice in them and pass that knowledge on to my children. Of course, that is just one of many passages of the Bible that have helped me in my life. If you are looking for inspirational words, the Bible is the place to look, especially in the Psalms and Proverbs, or in Isaiah and Jeremiah. God bless you all. Your brother in Christ, Rafael

(Note: The verse Rafael is referring to is Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.")

Rafael (18 years old)

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Leslie: Whenever the trials and struggles that I face in this life sometimes seem unbearable, I am always reminded of 2 Corinthians12:9:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

I have learned that God's grace IS more than enough. No matter what this old world tries to do to me, nothing can remove the amazing grace that God has shed upon me.

Don't get me wrong. I believe that nothing is impossible with God through faith, and even without faith at times. God has been faithful even when I have been unfaithful. I believe that God has never changed, and all that we read in His word is still for us in this day and age. Miracles, healing, gifts of the spirit, etc. However, His most precious gift is His saving grace.

It doesn't matter what I face in this world , the glorious future that almighty God has in store for me does not change. This scripture always reminds me of this, and gives me the encouragement to keep on going regardless of how dark the hour may seem.

God will not lead you where His grace can not keep you.

Glory to God in the Highest, He is worthy to be lifted up and exalted for His grace truly is more than enough!

Leslie (35 years old)

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Leslie used this poem in her answer to February 1997's question. I liked it so much that I decided to keep it posted here.

"Broken Dreams"

As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend,
I brought my dreams to God, because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,"How can You be so slow?"
"My child," He said,"What could I do? You never did let go."

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