Facing Difficult Times

We, as a community, have dealt with a lot of adversity this past month as so has the entire nation. The tragic loss in Parkland; the arguing and fighting over gun control laws; the criticism of state and local officials for “not doing the right thing,” it has all been quite chaotic.

All of this, coupled with our own personal problems (family, friends, work etc.) are really adding up and having, in many cases, a very bad impact on our hearts and emotions as well as our faith. It is ever so important that we remember to keep God in our lives and trust in Him to bring us, and those around us, comfort.

How Deep is Your Problem

If you stop and think about it, how truly deep are your problems? How are they impacting your life and how difficult are the resolutions? Sometimes, not meaning to be disrespectful or discourteous, we need to look at others when we feel that “all is lost” and “woe is me!” Look at what others may be going through and then consider again how serious and “dreadful” are your problems. Here are quotes from well-known people about facing our problems and I’d just like to throw them out there.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” – Robert H. Shuller

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington

“There is no problem outside of you that is superior to the power within you.” – Bob Proctor

One of my favorites… “A positive attitude may not solve your problems… but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” – Anonymous

Again, and most importantly for those like you and I, we’ve got to remember God through all our adversities.

Trust in God

Trusting in God in difficult times is no easy task. As a matter of fact, some people give up on Him completely thinking “He is to blame” and “how could He do this to us”.

In the Bible, James tells us, in no uncertain terms… we must not lose our trust in Him… especially in times of adversity.

James 1:12 – “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.”

Another promise from our God. We are to receive the “crown of life” from Him and all He has asked from us, is to persevere under trial. This isn’t a simple task for us alone, but with God, anything is possible. We need to trust in Him!

God Uses Hardship for His Glory

Psalm 50:15 – “…and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Call on Him in times of adversity! Not only will He help us through but He will also gain more glory from your actions as others will see your light… and they will know the power of our God as they witness your triumph.

Don’t Lose Heart

The most difficult thing to do in adversity. How easy is it for us to lose heart in difficult times? Sometimes, the problem we face is that, during these times, we forget all the good that God has given us and only look upon the troubles we know suffer. 2 Corinthians tells us, very clearly, to not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

In these words, from Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian Church, he talks about our “light and momentary troubles” and what they are achieving for us. He tells us not to focus on the “seen” but rather what is “not seen” for all our troubles are temporary but, in the end, our glory will be eternal. While we may not see things as “light,” if we stand by God and don’t lose heart, we know these things shall pass.

Through Adversity, He Molds Us

We’re not a “finished product.” These “vessels” that we dwell in and the heart and soul contained in them are not even close to all that God has in store for us or the good works He wants us to accomplish. We are always a “work-in-progress” to God as He continues to mold us and build us up into the Brothers and Sisters of Christ He wants us to be.

James 1:2-4 – “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.”

The challenges we face are many, but now, we can see why. God does not abandon us… He is building our strength and making us complete and mature for His Kingdom.

Becoming Resilient

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

You see what our adversities do when we prevail? (Notice I said “when” and not “if?”) Can anyone here tell me, in all honesty, that your trials and tribulations have not made you stronger?

How many times have you been knocked-down and you stood back up… brushed the dirt from your knees, and moved forward?

As we said earlier, He is making us stronger and our resilience increases with every hardship we face. As we just heard, “We are hard pressed on every side… but not crushed!”

Future Glory

At the end of the day, we need to remember what God has promised us all.

Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Through all that we go through… all the trials, all the tests… how much stronger have we become? How much closer are we to the eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven that God has promised to us?

Yes, times can be hard, but look at us! We’ve made it this far and we’re not done yet! We will get through our adversities together with God, The Son and the Holy Spirit… and when He calls us home, we will have our glory!

What We Learn – It’s Our Choice

Here is a simple story about a chef’s daughter who was ready to give up on life and how he taught her about “dealing with adversity.”

Potatoes, Eggs and Coffee Beans (click to read the story)

God Doesn’t Give Up on Us      

Peter told Jesus, in Matthew 26:33 – “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” …and Jesus responded in verse 34 – “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Jesus forgave Peter and, prayed for him. Luke 22:32 – “But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Then there was the time when Peter had come to Jesus and asked him, Matthew 18:21 – “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

To which Jesus responded, Verse 33 – “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

If our Lord tells us to forgive our brothers and sisters seventy times seven, do you think He would not forgive us?

In Isaiah 49:16, God tells us “See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

“Engraved on His hands!” Engraving is permanent… we are forever in God’s hands.

God also tells us in Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

That, to me, truly says it all. Our Father in Heaven will never leave us or abandon us… He is always with us despite what we do for He is a forgiving God.

In Closing – The Armor of God

With all of this being said, I searched through the Bible looking for the ways God would want us to handle all of our adversities. I’d like to read to you from Ephesians. In this verse from the Bible, it clearly tells us how we should react against the evils of this world… and we should not simply “bow down!”

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible as it gives me so much strength when I read the words from the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

In times of adversity my Brothers and Sisters, let us always remember to draw our swords (the word of God) and raise our shields against the evils surrounding us!

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!