Latest Devotion
The Way Through
By: Jim Hodgins
Monday, September 21, 2026
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Have you ever been in a situation that caused you to feel uncertain? Maybe it was because you couldn't see a way out of that problem. In times like that, we wonder how we'll endure such hardship. We may even react to our trials in our own power, in ways that aren't based on our history with God. But what if our attitudes could change our thought patterns? What if we decided to “grow” through our trials instead of simply trying to end them?
We forget that God has a perfect plan for us, and it may include allowing us to experience a few trials. God already knows their outcome, so He may use them to stretch our faith. Remember, just because we're in a trial doesn't mean it isn't part of God's master plan. When we're willing to spiritually grow in our trials, it changes the way we view them. When we learn to see our trials as growth opportunities, it will also change how we respond to them.
Years ago, my wife and I found ourselves in the midst of a huge trial. Our 17-year-old son was a passenger in a truck accident, and he ended up passing away. You can’t imagine the insurmountable grief and sadness we experienced after his death. But with God’s help, we eventually came to grips with our loss. It took a while, but God mended our broken hearts in His perfect timing.
Even in that tragedy, God had a plan for us. He comforted us through those terrible times, and years later, He asked us to bring His comfort to others. He did that by calling to serve in a national program called GriefShare, a class that CCM still offers. Instead of harboring anger, hatred, and resentment, we chose to allow God to stretch our faith. That trial helped us align our hearts with God's will, so eight years later, our hearts were open to facilitating that Griefshare class.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
When times get tough, we must still trust God. If you're in a trial right now, things may not look very good to you... but remember, God won’t leave you there, He'll see you to the other side of them.
Trust God! Believe that He will turn your worst trial into a trail of faith that leads right to His doorstep!