Enduring Tough Times

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

-John 16:33

 “A righteous man may have may troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

- Psalm 43:19

Life on earth is never easy. As humans, we tend to yield to trials and problems besetting our lives- broken homes, broken relationships, a lost job, financial constraints, death of a loved one, failing grades and what have you.   Whenever conflicts arise, one cannot help but ask the question “Why?” Why are these things happening? Why of all people me? Why does God need to give me this? Rants and whining fill the air during tough times while in fact, there is a right attitude towards these things. There is a right question to ask. Instead of starting a question with “Why” why not start it with  “how”. How can we respond to these circumstances in such a way that we could still honor God?

  The bible teaches us five (5) steps on how to overcome these trials without compromising our passion to honor and glorify God’s name.

1. Read God’s Word.

The bible, God’s word, serves as a stream of water and we Christians are the trees. We can either grow and bear fruit if we continuously receive water or wither and die once we choose to stay away from it. Trials have the ability to weaken our faith and our confidence and yes, it is easier to get discouraged especially if the people around you share the same disappointment. But the good news is, there is a much powerful tool. It is more important to listen to God’s word, our shield and armor in our life’s daily battles.  In Psalms 119:98-100 it says there:

“Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders for I obey your precepts.”

Whenever we read and listen to the Word of God, whenever we heed to His voice and commandments, we can be assured that we can overcome every battle that will confront us. In Psalm 119:165, It is clear that we will be victorious if we obey and love His laws :

“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble”

God wants us to trust his words for it is the answer to every question and problem that can stand in our way. In Proverbs 4:20-22 The Lord says: 

“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart, for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body”

2. Respond with Joy

This is the most difficult thing to do during a loathing situation. Of course one might ask how someone can be joyous if he or she is experiencing a tough time?  It is easy to equate pure joy to something you always crave for like a dessert or something you’ve been asking for like a gadget or a trip. But equating joy to suffering seems impossible and definitely hard.  But clearly it is what God wants to do. In James 1:2-4 it says there:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers , whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

There is a benefit from being joyous during tough times God tells us. By being joyful in every situation, one learns how to persevere and when one does, he will mature. Sufferings result to perseverance which results to maturity. Also, It is a test of faith. Trials prove if one’s faith is genuine or not. And obviously, we Christians want our faith to be true for something that is not real is dangerous. (see previous posts on genuine faith)

3. Receive Trials as character builder

Romans 5:3-4 tells us

“ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings , because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope “.

 

We view things differently depending on the situation. During good times, we SEE things, But during suffering, we UNDERSTAND things, more than how it is stated in the bible, we LEARN about God’s perfect love.

4. Realize Trials are temporary

“Faith kicks in all the more during tough times, I won’t let go”. This should be our attitude. Trials are temporary, they are fleeting but not God’s love and grace. Tough times are inevitable and we must not let ourselves  succumb to our own frailties , rather it is how we honor God during these times that we should concentrate on. Trials come and try to destroy us but God’s love is always there to protect us, not only once but for the rest of our lives.

5. Reach out to others who are experiencing trials

As Christians, we ought to look for one another , walking side by side in our spiritual journey. When we receive comfort from the Almighty we need to share this with the people around us especially to those who are weak and do not know about God’s love. We need to let others know about how comforting God and His words are. We need to let our light shine amidst the trials and let other people know how mighty He is whom we serve.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”

-  2Corinthians 1:3-4