Poems for Trials
These poems for trials provide comfort and hope from the Bible for difficult times. It’s so comforting to remember God’s promises and see His hand at work in our lives as we face the challenges of life.
These encouraging poems provide a fresh perspective on the purpose and meaning of trials and remind us of God’s unfailing promises: the Lord is always with us, these trials won’t last forever, He will not allow more than is best to make us like the Lord Jesus, He loves it when we trust Him even when we can’t understand or see what He’s doing, and so much more.
If you have a friend going through hard times and don’t know what to say, sharing one of these encouraging poems will help you extend love and support in a thoughtful way.
It Didn’t Take Him by Surprise
It didn’t take Him by surprise
This trouble that you face;
God didn’t sleep or close His eyes
When you were near this place.
He has a plan you cannot see
And wouldn’t understand,
But if you’ll trust Him faithfully
He’ll guide you by His hand.
He wants to work in bigger ways
Than all the plans you’ve laid
To bring the Savior greater praise
As you have asked and prayed.
He wants to make you like the Lord
So Jesus shines through you
That you might gain a rich reward
When He has brought you through.
So do not fear when darkness falls,
The shadows will not last;
In tender tones your Father calls,
“My love will hold you fast.”
Christina Joy Hommes
Seeing the Sunny Spots
Seeing the Sunny Spots
When pain or disappointment,
Discouragement or grief
Creep in to block the sunshine
And mercy’s sweet relief,
I find I need a weapon
Resilient, quick, and strong
To fight them back and conquer
The thoughts that lead me wrong.
The weapons most effective
Against these tricky foes
Are thankfulness and praises,
And this is how it goes:
As soon as I feel anxious
Or sorry for myself,
I start to thank God quickly
For blessings and Himself.
“Lord, thank You for Your presence,
For such a lovely place,
For those who truly love me,
For saving me by grace.
And thank You for this moment
To stop and really see
The blessings You have given
So graciously to me.”
I start to thank and praise Him
For all that comes to mind,
And through it I’m reminded
How good He is and kind.
It shifts my mental focus
From storms and self to God;
It brings back heaven’s sunshine
And shows that doubt’s a fraud.
I sometimes have to do it
A dozen times a day,
But then I gain some traction
And find that as I pray
The Lord rolls back the storm clouds
Of selfish, downcast thoughts
And helps me see His blessings
In all the sunny spots.
Christina Joy Hommes
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Unexpected News
Unexpected News
It comes so unexpected
Some news we dread to hear,
Time stops, it seems so sudden
That we must face our fear.
Within these solemn moments
When all begins to spin,
We test our spirit’s anchor
And feel God’s strength within.
We know things don’t surprise Him
And somehow He can see
A way it’s best allowing
What’s dark to you and me.
We cannot see the future,
And what before seemed bright
Is shown to be uncertain
When seen in such a light.
It’s then that we remember
God’s promise to abide,
To keep and to protect us
Forever by our side.
We give our fears and wishes,
Our hopes and plans and days
To God again for keeping
And lift our voice in praise.
Though pain may be our portion
God’s grace will see us through,
And in His love and wisdom
He’ll strengthen and renew.
Our home is sure in heaven
Where pain and fear can’t come,
Where faith will be rewarded
When we are safely home.
And in that trust and resting
We find such peace and love
It seems a piece of heaven
Descended from above.
So in the hardest moments
Though painful, dark, and long
We see God’s tender comfort
And find a lasting song.
For Lorie with love
Christina Joy Hommes
The Good from Pain
The Good from Pain
It’s not the pain itself
A Christian greets with joy,
But rather what it helps us gain
When in the Lord’s employ.
Like Jesus Christ we pray,
Lord, must this cup be mine?
But then we yield to One we trust:
Lord, not my will, but Thine.
For in the midst of pain
We find His loving care;
And patience has its perfect work
In sorrow borne through prayer.
We look ahead in hope
To what we soon will gain,
And then, like Jesus, we can bear
This fleeting, earthly pain.
Lord, make me more like Christ
As You have said You would;
Please be my Strength and Comforter,
And turn this pain to good.
Christina Joy Hommes
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3
“Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
In Your Storm – John 6:16-21
In Your Storm
John 6:16-21
Neath the clouds of tears and heartbreak,
When the tempter will not leave,
When the past has come to taunt you,
Or there’s pain you can’t relieve,
In your storm the Lord is walking –
When you see Him do not fear;
“It is I, don’t be afrighted.”
Pluck up hope, the Lord is near!
He won’t come as you expected,
But He’ll be there just the same;
In the storm be still and trust Him
As you call on Jesus’ Name.
Christina Joy Hommes
“But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.” John 6:20
God Didn’t Say We’d Understand
God didn’t say we’d understand
Each thing that He allows,
Or that we’d always see His hand
And know the why’s and how’s.
But He has said He’s always near
And that He’ll bring us through,
That He will catch each falling tear
And strengthen and renew.
And He has said He’ll turn to good
The things His children face;
Since Jesus in temptation stood
He gives sufficient grace.
So when we cannot understand
The troubles of today,
We simply need to trust His hand
And He will make a way.
Christina Joy Hommes
Will You Trust Him?
Will You Trust Him?
Is this sufficient reason:
The One who died for you
Has lovingly ordained it
In what He’d have you do?
Are you content to follow
Because He says it’s best
Though you can’t see the outcome
And know that it’s a test?
Will you be still and trust Him
Because You know His love
And rest upon His promise
That He will lead above?
For He will bless the faithful
Who choose His perfect way
And humbly walk beside Him
In trusting love each day.
Christina Joy Hommes
Why Bear the Burden?
Why Bear the Burden?
When I would bear my burdens
They seem so big for me –
They’re half my size or bigger
And I can hardly see.
But when I cast those burdens
On Jesus, how they shrink!
They look so small beside Him
It really makes me think:
Why bear a heavy burden
He wants to bear for me
That’s big for me but easy
For Christ who sets me free?
Christina Joy Hommes
This poem is part of Summer for the Soul a 14-day spiritual “devo-cation” that will refresh and encourage your heart. Get a copy to read or share here
It’s Time to Praise the Lord
It’s Time to Praise the Lord
When things seem good, when times are tough
Our God’s the same and He’s enough –
No storm can rise which He can’t still,
No trouble come outside His will.
When weeks are short and seem so bright,
When days are long and turn to night,
The Lord is near – He’s always there –
We can’t escape His loving care.
When great success marks all we touch
Or loss removes our final crutch,
Christ Jesus stands with strength and grace
To help us through the things we face.
So when we laugh and when we cry,
When we’re knocked down or lifted high,
It’s time to praise the One whose love
Will keep us till we’re safe above.
Christina Joy Hommes
References: Job 1; Psalm 57:7; Philippians 4:11-13
A Choppy Sea Ahead – Psalm 61:2
A Choppy Sea Ahead
Psalm 61:2
I see a choppy sea ahead
Where breakers toss and roll
With waves that reach above my head
Each crashing on my soul.
I feel so small, so very weak –
They overwhelm my heart;
But then the Rock of strength I seek
Which can’t be torn apart.
That Rock of strength and love and grace,
That Rock that’s always there
Stands strong for me – a hiding place,
A refuge found in prayer.
There I’m restored with strength of soul,
With courage, faith, and love;
It gives me light and makes me whole
With hope from God above.
So though the storms may rage beyond
I have no lasting fear –
In faith and hope I can respond
For Christ is always near.
Christina Joy Hommes
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2