Will life ever get any easier? The reality of this painful question is that it may not. Life is hard, but it can be beautiful. As we experience life’s hardship and trauma, it’s time to cling to God. A time of crisis is not the time to lose our faith, it is a time to USE it.
In Genesis, God tells Abraham that he will be the father of God’s chosen people and that he will have more children than stars in the sky. Abraham and his wife Sarah were approximately 100 years old, way past child rearing age. In Genesis 18:14 the Lord tells Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Jump forward thousands of years to the New Testament, when an angel tells Mary that she is going to give birth to the Son of God. She asks, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, adds a few more details and then proclaims, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
If the Lord can handle any miracle, hardship, crisis, pain or suffering, then shouldn’t we want to draw closer to Him when we’re in the midst of our trauma, agony and chaos?
Biblical Overview of Hardship
We can’t look at hardship without considering Job. His hardship is probably incomparable to ours. Though he couldn’t understand his hardship, He knew God did. His friend Eliphaz states, “For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground.” (Job 5:6) Hardship doesn’t appear out of thin-air. There are supernatural powers at play when it comes to sin, suffering, sorrow and sickness. Yes, God allows that hardship to occur, therefore, it is important to use our faith and understanding of God when we face turbulence.
Early in the Bible, we learn about Moses and the trials and tribulations he and God’s people (the Isrealites) experienced. Moses used his faith throughout his long journey, especially when the Isrealites faltered. Oftentimes, their failure to draw near to Christ caused more pain, insecurity and suffering.
King David is another individual who experienced moment after moment of hardship and trial. Penning the Psalms as an example of his turning to the Lord, David shows us that in the midst of our turmoil, we can lean on the mighty Lord. Relying on God during his crisis didn’t make the trouble go away, rather God reminded David that He is in control and He can overcome.
Daniel, another Biblical character who turned toward the Lord when times became tough, shows us that God will always prevail.
Turning Toward God
Such magnificent people in Biblical history. Why are these individuals so great? Many reasons, but one common thread is how they turned TOWARD God during hard times. Each had their moments when they attempted to walk away from the Lord, or rely on their own strength, but they returned because they knew, just like Paul in the New Testament, that God is where we gain our strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then, Paul follows by saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
While ministering to others about Christ and traveling around inviting people to become disciples of Christ, Paul said, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Paul encouraged people to remain true to their faith even in the midst of difficulty. (Acts 14:22) Paul and his fellow disciples knew that in order to move through the trials and tribulations of life, we must use our faith.
Paul also penned the incredible statement in Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” He continues in verse 37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The only way our hardships can pull us away from God is if we let them. So rather than allowing our faith to falter and dwindle, we can use our faith to hold on tighter to the Lord. These scriptures speak the truth about God’s nature and character. When we’re in crisis, and experiencing confusion and uncertainty, it’s important to hold onto what we know – God’s truth. That is the base of using our faith during hard times. Sometimes that is all we can do. Sometimes we can do more. Gripping onto God will keep us standing. He will not let us become destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
God Allows us to Experience Hardship
There are several reasons we experience hardship. Here’s a few to contemplate:
Experience God’s Righteousness and Faithfulness
Nehemiah 9:33 speaks on how God’s people go through difficult times so we can experience His righteousness and faithfulness. Turbulent times heightens the righteousness of God by elevating our humanity and sinfulness. It also reminds us of God’s natural character to be faithful to His beloved.
Gain Spiritual Discipline
Walking through trauma or other hardships provides us with the opportunity to be disciplined by God. A good athlete conditions his or her body. A good parent disciplines his or her child. Our GOOD FATHER disciplines us so we are strong and able, but more importantly, so we are righteous and true. The Lord disciplines the ones He loves. Hebrews 12:7 states, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”
Learn to Rely on God
We experience the ups and downs of hardship and trauma so we can learn to rely on God, not our own strength. It is possible to muster through life’s pain and difficulties on our own, but by giving our suffering over to God, He lightens our load, allowing us to heal and thrive in the midst of turmoil. Matthew 11:28-30 encourages us to give our burdens to God and let Him carry them so we can rest in His love. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Life may not get any easier, but using our faith in the midst of hardship will allow us to find rest and peace. The Lord is in control and He can handle anything that comes your way. Lean on Him and let Him carry you through every trial.
Download 9 Scriptures to Reflect on When Experiencing Hardship
Here are 9 scripture verses to review, read, study and memorize when you’re struggling with a hard time, crisis or trauma. Hold on to God’s truth and use your faith to cling to Him when experiencing difficulty and times of need.
