When It's Hard To Believe

How can this be?
Luke 1:34

When the angel told Mary that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son, her response was understandable: "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" Imagine how she must have felt.
What would people think?
How could she care for a baby?
What would Joseph say?
Would he abandon her?
No wonder she "was greatly troubled" ( Luke 1:29 ); if ever something was impossible this was it. But that's what makes a miracle miraculous!

Maybe you're out of work and trusting God to provide for your family. Nevertheless you're asking, "How can this be when I'm unemployed?" Or perhaps you're sick, and although you know that "With His stripes we are healed ( Isaiah 53:5), you're wondering, "How can this be when I still have my symptoms?" We all have times when our faith goes through the wringer and comes out dry.

But what's even more challenging is that Mary's situation was caused by God. He's not supposed to do that. He's supposed to bless and rescue you! But God had a plan. Mary was about to do something nobody throughout history would ever do again. And with that plan came a promise that can sustain you during your greatest tests of faith: "TheLord is with you" (Lk 1:28-30) . Once you understand that "the One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He'll do it" ( 1Thessalonians 5:24 ), your outlook changes radically.

So today if you're struggling, remember what the angel said to Mary,
"Nothing ...is impossible with God" ( Luke 1:37 ),
because He's saying the same to you!