There are challenges, obstacles, tight spots, rough patches, hard times, and even sufferings that we will all experience at some point in our lives. Being a follower of Jesus in no way guarantees us that life will be easy. In fact, Jesus told us in John 15:20 that the people who persecuted Him will also persecute us, His followers.
Go look for yourself. Do a word search at Biblegateway.com for “suffer”, or “persecute”, “hate” or “trouble”. You’ll quickly find that the sinful nature of the world is opposed to God and His son Jesus, and His followers. If you are a Christian, then guess what, the world is opposed to you too.
HOWEVER, that’s no excuse to throw in the towel and quit. The Bible is also full of promises that God will be our strength, that He will be our defender, our fortress, and our rock! Those are powerful words. We are told that God will supply strength, love, patience, joy, and that He is our Hope. Now go search “strength”, “joy”, “love”, “refuge”, “fortress”, and “hope”.
Take a look at the encouragement we get in James 1:2-4. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (MSG)
Remain in God when things get tough! The NIV says to consider it pure joy when we go through trials, because our faith get’s a spiritual workout and we will come out stronger.
Keep reading down in James 1:12. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
No matter what kind of choke hold this world has you in, stay strong, never tap out, never give up. Keep your trust in God and look to Him for wisdom, strength, and joy! No matter how much your body SCREAMS for you to give up, or give into temptation, or find a different answer apart from God, never lose sight of Him who gave His life for you.
