Contrary to what many want to believe, difficult and trying times are still a part of the Christian life. Even the greatest men of faith to ever live suffered often as they served God. Difficulties in this life are not something we can expect to escape or even avoid. But that knowledge doesn’t make trying times any easier. Right now as we enter the Christmas season, my wife is preparing for surgery. Thank God it is not major or life-threatening. But nonetheless, it will not be a simple and easy process free of pain and a little struggle. Not to mention the timing could have been in a less busy time of year. But with this swirling in my mind as I read the word today, a verse stuck out to me. One that ultimately led me down a path of other scriptures that reminded me of the peace we can have in every situation as God’s children. I hope what you read below will help you and can be something to remember when you face trying times.
The verse that really hit me today was John 16:33. In which Jesus speaks to the very fact that in life we will face many trials and sorrows. But in those times we can be confident and find hope because He has overcome the world. Often we feel weak and small in this world. As though we have no power and won’t be able to stand strong against the mountains of issues that plague us. Yet we fail to realize the power we have in Jesus. We have victory over every situation because Jesus has already won. The battle is over and the victory is yours. The problems you face today are temporary and won’t follow you beyond this world. We have a victor’s inheritance because of the one who is fighting for us. Whatever we face we can know that Jesus has already defeated it and victory awaits us with Him.
John 16:33 (ESV)
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
An important revelation to receive is that as Christians there is no such thing as bad news. Because God is able to work anything and everything for the good of those who believe. Thanks to that knowledge we can find peace in whatever situation we find ourselves in regardless of how trying it may seem. God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us so He can use them. But takes the results of living in a fallen and sinful world and turns bad situations into great blessings as only He can. Instead of fearing the trial, we should be looking for what God is going to do through it. Providing a great blessing in our lives and even those of others. That truly could not be imagined.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Possibly the greatest thing to remember in trying times though is that we know what the future holds. Nothing is able to offer more peace in this life than the fact that we know the end of the story. That God promises nothing we suffer now will even be able to cast a slight shadow on the glory awaiting us. We must always remember that even the biggest and most impactful moments in this life are but a minor blip on the scale of eternity. You have been blessed through the unending love of God with eternal life. A life lived free of all the difficulties of this life on earth. The perfect peace of Heaven awaits all those who believe and we will get to experience it for all time. Vastly outweighing even the hardest situations and lives lived on earth.
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
When we view our lives on earth through this lens the words of King Solomon become even more clear. As he wrote vanities of vanity all is vanity. It could be said everything is like chasing the wind, utterly meaningless. The best things and the worst things this world has to offer are meaningless. They offer no lasting value and will one day come to nothing. So we should not allow the effects and situations of this fallen world to control our emotions. Instead, our focus should be put on that which is eternal and from God. Living like Paul and choosing to forget all things but Christ crucified. Choosing to forget the past and look ahead to the prize. When we take our focus off the temporal things of this world and set our eyes on the eternal things of God we can overcome the most trying times in peace and joy.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (ESV)
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (ESV)
2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Philippians 3:12 (ESV)
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
I am thankful for the reminder that God gave me through His word today. Showing me what I honestly didn’t realize I was looking for. But I am glad He has blessed me with the peace needed to get through this trying time. I hope this is able to help you in the very same way that it has me. If anything, store these passages of scripture in your memory so that you have them whenever you need them. What has God shown you in trying times that has helped you find peace? Please share in the comments below so that you can use what God has given you to bless others. Thank you for reading and God Bless!
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