One way you can talk to God is through prayer. Talk to Him about your experiences, and remember to also pause, and listen to His words of strength and comfort, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed totally hopeless? Even felt like giving up on yourself, your family, or your impossible situation?

Today we are going to take a little look into a well-known story in the Bible, of Naomi. You will discover, what she did, in the midst of her circumstances. And may this story encourage and energise each of us to pursue God in whatever situation life brings.

The story recorded in the book of Ruth 1:1-4 tells us that when a famine came upon the land, Naomi and Elimelech decided to move to Moab with their sons. Unfortunately, Elimelech died, and Naomi was left alone in a foreign land. Her sons married good Moabite women but sadly, the two young men also died.

Now childless and widowed, Naomi was resentful and distressed. She could have let these tragedies overwhelm her and break her spirit. But she kept trusting the God who cared about her, and eventually she found hope and joy again. What can we learn from this story?

We all, at some point of our lives, experience unexpected tragedies, broken dreams, and the challenge of living in unfamiliar places.

As with Naomi, she continued trusting in God. The more you experience His love, the easier it is to hold onto His reassuring hand as He walks with you through the pain.

When I need to immerse myself in God’s loving character, I always turn to Psalm 103 or Psalm 145 and focus on these vibrant portraits of God’s love. Naomi didn’t have the comfort of David’s psalms, but she must have talked about God’s loving character because Ruth was so eager to accept her faith (Ruth 1:16, 17).

One way you can talk to God is through prayer. Talk to Him about your experiences, and remember to also pause, and listen to His words of strength and comfort.

Though Naomi couldn’t see what God was doing behind the scenes. She continued to do the best she could and trusted God to do the rest. Naomi never knew that she was going to be the “great-grandmother” of a king (Ruth 4:16, 17), or that she would play an important role in God’s plan.

Just like Naomi’s situation, it’s important to strengthen relationships with friends and family. Be there for them through the hard times, and they will be more likely to support you through your challenges. Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah must have cried together when their husbands died, and Naomi must have been a very loving and caring mother-in-law. Ruth’s dedication to Naomi and willingness to follow her into a vulnerable and uncertain future demonstrates their supportive relationship (Ruth 1:16, 17; 4:14, 15).

It’s always good to talk about your challenges, hopes, and fears. Like with Naomi who was not afraid to be honest about her bitter feelings (Ruth 1:20, 21). Paul encourages us to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). When your family is overwhelmed by pain, take time to comfort each other.

You see the most resilient families anticipate challenges ahead and prepare for them. Naomi and her family moved to a foreign land so they could feed and care for their sons. She arranged for them to marry good local women, hoping they would produce heirs. As a widow, Naomi realised she needed to return to her family in Bethlehem and then find a husband for Ruth to give them both security.

Like Naomi, we may feel bitter for a while, but God will lovingly bring us to a place of peace and joy. Even though we don’t choose the challenges that come our way. God will use them to grow us in amazing and unexpected ways, if we let Him …“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Enjoy the weekend ahead with your families and friends and, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).