Facing The Difficulties

 

I never get bored talking about the firmness faith in the face of all the difficulties of life. I hope the readers will also not get bored reading it. Almost every day I receive an email from many friends and others those talks about the life’s problem that increasingly difficult day by day.

Why do we have to experiencing suffering and hard times? It may be a question of most people, including among believers as well. There are many among us who have wrong concept and think that following Jesus means totally free from suffering and difficulties. That’s why there are people who have their own motivations for worship. It is not wrong to ask God’s help, and God Himself promises so many blessings, miracles and He help to anyone who cries out to Him in Christ. But we cannot deny that somehow there are times where we have to go through difficult situations, full of painful thorns. Whether God like to torture us any time?  Of course not like that. God is never pleased to see His children suffered. If He pleased, He did not bother to sacrifice His Son, to ensure our salvation.

When we are facing so many difficult situation and should experiencing suffering and hard times, let’s take a look at how the pressures faced by believers who can be so terrible in many parts of the world. Repressive forms even of torture to assassination experienced some of us from time to time.  Furthermore, we can see there are so many great figures in the Bible who experienced terrible suffering. I am not quite sure the suffering that we experience today is as daunting as they were suffering at the time. Let we take a look to James.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Whether James was in good condition when writing this? No. He had seen with his own eyes how terrible persecution and cruel tortures to death meted out to the people who maintain their faith in Christ, including also himself. James proved his obedience even unto death. We see James murdered by Herod orders with a sword.”He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts 12:2) But the fact, from James we can see the call of God about how we should address the various trials. James urges all believers to face all trials and tests with joy, faith and optimisms. James just as we are, never expect the hard times, but he reminds us not to lose a handle and keep addressing the difficult conditions with a joyful heart attitude.

Why? Because in the tough times, whether it relates to financial difficulties, physical and psychological health problems, relationships, careers or jobs, education, etc, when we deal with it all by faith ,then it becomes a great opportunity for us to be able to be humans with the mature and adult spiritual. Any testing that we face will produce perseverance and will bear the ripe fruit. That is why it is important for us to respond properly the difficult situations that are present in our lives. Above all of it, we must know that in such any circumstances God never leaves us.  Faithfully He continued to be with us, even in the darkest circumstances. Psalm said, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”(Psalm 23:4)  No matter how serious the problems we face, the consolation of God always provided for us.

There is a time for everything in this world. The Bible declares it; there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) includes “a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Verse 4) At the moment we are faced with a time to weep and mourn, it does not mean God is torturing us. At a time like that, indeed we can learn a lot about life. There are many benefits that will be very useful for our future that will be in vain if we miss out only with complaints, excessive self-pity or despair. There is an opportunity to have a more mature spiritually when we are allowed to be in an uncomfortable situation. While we still are in a very difficult situation, remains thankful and let God continue to fill your heart with true joy, so when that the time to laugh and dance comes we will be picking the ripe fruit later. We also should to remember God’s promise to us, “blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

So my dear brother and sister in Christ, by persevering in a difficult situation and filled with trials, the problem of life is getting tough day by day; we will be crowned by crown of life. Persevere and endure when we are facing difficult situation is not easy. Not as easy as flipping a newspaper page. But if we always rely on the power of God, put our faith and trust in the presence of God, there will always incredible strength that allows us to endure. Take every problems, difficulties, and trials into our prayer. Ask the Lord so that we are always given the strength, wisdom, unwavering faith, and give thanks in all circumstances. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5. Amen.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:2-3

Karina – Living by Faith

Photo credit: biopoliticaltimes.org

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