If we look around today, we truly can say that we’re experiencing hard times.
Most of us are struggling trying to make ends. Jobs are hard to find. We seem to have more bills than money. Everything is going up but our pay checks. Some are just one pay check away from being broke.  
We are experiencing some difficult times. The question is, what can we do or how do we handle these hard times?
Well, I believe that the best thing to do is put your trust in God. We can’t put our trust in man, because man is limited. Man can do a lot of things, but we have to understand that we are dealing with spiritual problems that require spiritual solutions.
Believe it or not, the sinfulness of this world is the cause of all the problems we are having. There is so much corruption and greed in our world that the love of many has waxed cold. We are calling right wrong and wrong right. What God calls an abomination we are calling the norm. This is a spiritual problem and we need spiritual solutions. It’s time to seek the Lord and do things his way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path.”
We serve a God who is able to do exceedingly above all we ask or think.
David declared that he has never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. I’m convinced that I can stand on the word of God. In spite of what I see, I know God’s word is sure. Heaven and Earth will pass away, but his word will stand forever.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says that the steadfast love of the Lord never cease; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. You have to understand that I might not know what the next day will bring, but I can rest assured that our loving and merciful God will be there.
What we need is a true revival in our nation. We need to be willing to go back to the old landmark and become a true nation under God. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people (those who claim to be children of God), which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
I believe in the power of prayer, but we cannot come to God with dirty hands. We must turn from our wicked ways.
We need the love of God to dwell in us so that we can love one another. Until we learn to love one another, the rich still will seek to get richer, and the poor will remain poor. The struggle between the haves and the have-nots will continue and we will be a nation facing hard times. Until that time comes, I’m trusting in the Lord to see us through these difficult times. I’m trusting God not to put more on me than I can bear. I’m trusting Him to lead and guide me.
Trust God during hard times. He will never fail you.

Jackson is the pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.