“Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto God, and he shall deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies.” (Baruch 4:21)
We’ve all been there. Life gets tough, and it can feel like everything is stacked against us. Whether it’s financial struggles, family issues, or just the weight of the world pressing down, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But in moments like this, I’ve learned to lean on a Higher Power. Baruch 4:21 is a good reminder for this. It speaks directly to anyone feeling trapped by their circumstances. The phrase “be of good cheer” isn’t just about putting on a brave face. It’s an invitation to find real hope, even when things seem bleak. Notice the next part—cry unto God. This is not about handling things on our own. It’s about turning to the One who can truly deliver us. The Lord isn’t far off, watching from a distance. He’s ready to act when we call on Him.
When we’re going through hardship, it might feel like we’re being attacked from all sides—whether it’s external problems or internal battles like anxiety and maybe even doubt. But Baruch reminds us that God will deliver us, not just from general trouble but specifically “from the power and hand of the enemies.” Enemies can be more than just people; they can be circumstances, fear, or even our own destructive thoughts. The promise is clear: God will intervene.
How can we live this out?
Let’s start by being honest with with our Creator. Crying out to God means being real with Him. We don’t have to sugarcoat our struggles. If we’re hurting, frustrated, or scared, bring it all to Him in prayer. He already knows what each of us are going through, but He wants to hear it from us. This act of reaching out connects us to His strength.
We also need to trust in His timing. I know this is easier said than done. Deliverance doesn’t always come when or how we expect it. Sometimes the answer comes after we have been in the storm for a while. Other times, we might not even recognize His hand at work until we look back. But know that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our expectations.
I try to find cheer in His presence. “Be of good cheer” doesn’t mean we have to feel happy all the time, but it does mean that we can have peace, knowing God is with us. He hasn’t abandoned us. When we focus on His presence, even in the middle of chaos, we find a source of hope that goes beyond our circumstances.
Something else that can help is leaning on the support of others. We are not meant to go through hard times alone. Find a community—whether it’s a church group, family, or good friends—where you can share your burdens. The Lord will often work through others to help deliver us from our struggles. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.
Baruch 4:21 reminds me that I’m not powerless. In times of difficulty, my God invites me to turn to Him, and He promises to deliver me from whatever holds me down. If you’re feeling stuck or burdened today, take heart. You are not alone in this. Cry out to God, trust His plan, and know that He is working, even when you can’t see it yet. In every trial, remember: help is on the way.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)