Encouragement for Today

March 12, 2025 Choosing To Love God Even When Life Hurts TRACIE MILES Lee en español

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 (NLT)

Several years ago, I endured one of the hardest seasons I have ever experienced. My heart ached, my head spun with worry and stress, and my fears of what the future held were crippling.

There were days I wasn’t motivated to keep going or get out of bed, and the tears wouldn’t cease. Days when I questioned God about heartbreak and suffering, the seeming unfairness of life, and unanswered prayers.

Yet one particular day, amid an especially trying problem, my heart changed in a moment of prayer. I heard myself say something to God that caught me off guard. It was just one simple statement that rolled effortlessly off of my lips:

I still love You, Lord.

As my mind swirled with hurt and negative thoughts, my soul swirled with my love for Him, even when I didn’t think it could. And I knew His love for me didn’t waver.

As Romans 5:8 says, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

When life is going well, it’s easier to love God and believe He loves us. But when life falls apart or an unexpected hardship hits, it’s not as easy. It might even feel impossible. Those feelings and doubts don’t make us bad people or failures as believers. They merely make us human.

The upside is these thoughts can force us to ask ourselves some difficult questions: Despite everything, will I still love Jesus with my whole heart, soul and mind, even though He allowed these circumstances to happen? Will I still believe He loves me and has good plans in store?

Our honest answers to these questions serve as an indicator of whether we love the Lord just in the good times or all the time — when He gives and when He takes away, when He answers our deepest prayers and when we feel like He isn’t listening at all.

Maybe you’re facing a difficult time, an unexpected hurt or a painful loss. Perhaps you’re wondering if God hears your prayers or if He has forgotten you. Or possibly you’ve been secretly doubting if He loves you and if you still love Him.

You aren’t alone. Even the most faithful followers of Jesus have times of doubting His love. Times when they wonder if His love is meant for them or just everyone else.

Those thoughts are from the enemy who wants to cloud our minds, make us bitter, and pull us away from God. But Scripture tells us God sent His Son to die for us — even though we were still sinners — because He loves us that much.

We are so blessed to have the love of God. Will you love Him no matter what?

Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting Your love for me. Help me to focus on Your everlasting love, push past my doubts, and love You unconditionally despite my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Isn’t it true that sometimes when we’re struggling the most, it also feels most challenging to pray? Friend, we understand. That’s why we created For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 60 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments. This resource will help you escape the feeling of never knowing what to pray by receiving 60 Scripture-inspired prayers that connect God's Word to specific situations you’re facing. And for a limited time … you get a copy when you give a donation of any amount to Proverbs 31 Ministries! Click here to give now.

If you’re going through a hard season, check out Tracie Miles’ books, God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence and Unsinkable Faith: God-Filled Strategies to Transform the Way You Think, Feel, and Live.

ENGAGE

Life is hard, and change is difficult, but it can get better. Subscribe to Tracie’s blog to receive her free resource “10 Tips for Handling Change Well in Your New Season.”

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Jeremiah 31:3, “… I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (NIV).

What situation in your life has made you doubt God’s love? What is one thing you can do today to remind yourself of His unfailing love for you and to stir your love for Him? Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2025 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.