Finding blessings in hard times: Recognizing grace moments when life feels heavy
How many of you have ever felt like everything was unraveling all at once? Can I tell you something? You’re not alone. I know what it’s like to feel pressed on every side and still yearn to notice the good. In our recent podcast episode, I shared part of my family’s story—not because I want sympathy, but because I want you to see that even in the heaviest seasons, it is possible to start finding blessings in hard times.
Let me tell you, I didn’t grow up thinking life was supposed to feel like this—torn between heartbreak and hope. But here we are. If you’ve been walking through a tough season, you’re likely spending your energy just getting from one hour to the next. I see you. And I believe that even in the middle of the storm, God sprinkles little reminders of His presence. Some days, they whisper quietly. But they’re always there if we look.
How do we start finding blessings in hard times when life gets overwhelming?
First, let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like everything is too much. When my daughter was diagnosed with a rare type of anemia, our world turned upside down. Most days, I felt like I was running on empty—mentally, physically, and spiritually, a place many reach after loss, as described in real steps to rediscover God through grief. I had my own health flaring up in the background, but my only focus was caring for her. I would wake up at the hospital and wonder, how do I keep holding it together, Christian self care tips for hard times.
But in that hard place, I started seeing grace moments. Not big, dramatic miracles—just everyday things that felt like tiny gifts, and you can explore Gratitude practices for healing to cultivate this habit. The nurse taking extra time with my daughter, handwritten notes of encouragement, reminded me of community. The smile of a stranger, trusting Christ's love reminded me that we are not alone. My girl finding laughter on a bike after weeks of being too weak to move. Each of these little things reminded me that even in struggle, God doesn’t leave us without hope. That’s the heartbeat of finding blessings in hard times, and it often means trusting God through waiting. We start with the small Spiritual Self Care Tips for Building Strength in Difficult Seasons.
Learning to notice the grace moments
Here’s the thing. You don’t have to be super-spiritual to see blessings. Sometimes, it feels nearly impossible—especially in those "dry" spiritual seasons. There were days when reading my Bible felt blank. Like the words were there, but my heart couldn’t connect. But I kept showing up. I kept praying, even when I didn’t feel anything. And I kept thanking God for whatever little thing I could see.
One of my favorite verses brings me comfort in the middle of it all. "The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 CSB). I’ve whispered that to myself more times than I can count. It doesn’t mean every problem vanishes. But it does mean that even when I am close to breaking, God is close. That’s a blessing worth holding onto.
Why does finding blessings in hard times matter for our faith?
I’ll be the first to say it. Sometimes I want God to show up in big, obvious ways. But more often, I’ve found that His presence feels like a whisper. When I was sitting in my daughter’s hospital room, there were moments that felt holy. Every person who came into her room left with a smile. Sometimes they even said the room felt different. I just kept thinking, we may not have all the answers, but we can have peace—even if it doesn’t make sense.
Let me tell you what helped me start finding blessings in hard times. I made it a practice, every single day, to thank God for just one thing—even if it was as simple as a popcorn bucket or a fleeting smile. Most days, I’d find more than one, but on the hardest days, I’d settle for that single spark. Over time, those tiny thank-yous turned into small building blocks. I realized I was training my heart to look for the good.
What small things can we celebrate even now?
- The way worship music changes the atmosphere in our home
- Friends who check in on you and tell you it’s okay to rest
- Nurses who go the extra mile
- A child pushing past pain to enjoy a movie night
- Moments of laughter amid uncertainty
I’ve learned it’s never about the size of the blessing. It’s about the posture of your heart. Are you open to seeing the small gifts God is giving, even in the middle of struggle?
How to find blessings in hard times when faith feels dry
Let me be real. Sometimes your prayers feel like they’re bouncing off the walls. Sometimes opening your Bible feels like reading a grocery list. It’s tempting to give up and assume you’ve missed it somehow. But what I’ve learned is this: continuing to show up matters. Even in the dry place, you can still find blessings in hard times—sometimes more than you realize.
Psalm 13 starts with honesty. David cries out, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" I get that. I’ve whispered that too. But I remind myself that God isn’t gone—He’s just sometimes quiet. When I look back over the past few months, I see that His grace kept shining through. Maybe not with a loud answer, but with the quiet strength to keep going, the doctor who listened, the friend who reminded me to breathe, the sweet moment watching my daughter ride her bike again.
Some practical ways to notice God’s fingerprints
- Before bed, name one thing you saw God do today
- Write down "God winks" (those little things that catch your attention unexpectedly)
- Take a quiet walk and focus on the good around you
- Let worship music fill your space, even in the background
- Ask for help and lean on your community when you feel worn out
It’s not about pretending things aren’t hard. It’s about being honest with God, and with yourself, while still looking for evidence of His faithfulness.
Can finding blessings in hard times help us heal?
I truly believe it does. It might start small—just a single breath of gratitude when everything around you seems to crumble. But over time, our spiritual muscle gets stronger. We become more aware of how God is caring for us. Our faith gets steadier. And sometimes peace sneaks in before clarity does. I’ve had days when nothing made sense, but I still felt a strange sense of peace. That was God’s grace, showing up right on time.
How your perspective shapes your healing journey
I often ask my podcast guests what one perspective they’d encourage listeners to apply. Today, I’ll share mine: Peace doesn’t always show up with clarity. Sometimes peace is the gentle hand holding us up, even when the clouds haven’t lifted. You can find blessings in hard times even when your strength feels spent and your spirit feels quiet.
We need each other for this. I am so grateful for the friends who remind me to rest, or who agree to walk with me in the evening just to clear my head. Being part of a faith community makes all the difference. It helps to share our stories, pray for one another, and thank God for the smallest kindnesses. We’re not meant to do this alone.
Choosing hope together in the middle of hard times
Friend, here’s what I want you to remember. Finding blessings in hard times isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending everything’s okay. It’s about choosing hope on purpose. Even your smallest efforts matter. Show up for yourself and your faith, even when it’s quiet. Name a little grace moment and thank God for it. Ask for help when you need it. Rest when you can.
And on the hardest days? Know that you are not broken. You haven’t failed. God is still good and He is still with you. If you want encouragement, let’s do this together. Go back and listen to the full episode for my full story and more ways we can practice this in our everyday lives. Share this with a friend who might need it. We’re in this together.
Want more hope-filled encouragement? Check out my earlier posts on how to find peace when life is overwhelming and my recent episode on trusting God when prayers seem unanswered. Let’s keep lifting each other up and put these perspectives into practice every day.
