08/02/2025
Are you experiencing hardship in your life right now? Is there a problem at work, a health issue, the loss of a loved one? There are so many issues that plague us in life, and being a Christian doesn't exempt us from them... but it does help us through them.
“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."”
John 16:33 ESV
In 2015 I was faced with cancer. When I received the news, it was definitely bad, but it didn't devastate me because my faith gave me hope. I had a loving God to turn to who I trusted would see me through this rough spot. When a friend commented about the strength of my faith in the face of such frightening news I told him that my God intended to heal me, and that I was going through this so that I could witness to others and provide them with the same comfort that I was receiving. Little did I know that the first person I would do that for would be my own son. Less than a year later he had the same cancer, and since then there have been others. My struggle during that time put me in a unique position from which I could minister to them. As for me, my life was changed, but it abounds. I love this quote by Pastor Oswald Chambers...
"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength." - Oswald Chambers
In the midst of our many hardships comes new strength. Scripture tells us that by seeking God in our tribulation, we find a strength of faith and character that is peculiar to the struggle. Listen…
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
I took a health class, way back in high school, and one of the things we were taught is how our muscles gain in size and strength when lifting weights. As it turned out, the muscle develops many microscopic tears when we lift heavy weight, and then it heals over the course of the next week. As this process is repeated, over and over again, the muscle enlarges and gains in its ability to lift heavier weights. This also accounts for the soreness we feel after exercising, but in the process of tearing and healing comes new strength and this is a model for viewing our faith as we undergo life's struggles.
In life we have trouble, and as we exercise our faith to overcome it, we gain spiritual strength and our faith increases. Breaking down muscles and building them back up is a rather close parallel that helps us understand why God expects us to do a spiritual workout every now and then. The strain has beneficial attributes. However, don't confuse the source of the trouble as being from God; our lives will naturally provide enough heavy lifting as we live them out.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
James 1:13-14 ESV
Some problems we face in life are just that... they are natural outcroppings in life; but there are others we bring upon ourselves... they are the products of our own desire. Regardless of which type we are experiencing, God will lead us through them if we just place our faith and trust in Him, and if we listen to His voice from the midst of our storms. If God tells me to plant my crop again after a killing frost, but to plant corn instead of soybeans, then I should listen. If God tells me to stop smoking, then I should listen, and if God tells me to forgive and love my enemy then I should do that too. We should be steadfast in our faith, and obedient to His will; these things make us stronger in our belief and faith, and we will receive the crown of life.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 ESV
Trials appear, on the surface, to be nothing but pain, suffering, and worry, but don't be deceived. Inside each of our tribulations there is an opportunity... one that God desires to expose as a blessing. This is His promise to us, and this is the difference that being a Christian and being a strong man or woman of faith brings. The faithful experience troubles just like the rest of humanity, but the way in which we face and overcome it is the difference... we never face it alone. God takes our oyster and shows us a pearl inside it. The oyster we are presented with is just like everyone else's, but the pearl sets it apart, and that is our blessing.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46 ESV
I still go to the hospital regularly to get checked for cancer. The chances of it returning are relatively small, but greater than for the average person who has never experienced it. Each time I make that long drive to the clinic, I don't travel alone, and when the results of my tests come back, I am not receiving them alone. Whether I celebrate or face yet another trial, I know I will not be doing that alone either. My God surrounds me, for He is great, and Jesus sits beside me and reminds me to pray, and ask in His name as He encourages me. We are never alone and our comforter accompanies us equally in times of hardship and joy.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 ESV
Yes, we will experience tribulation in our lives; no it is not being heaped upon us by God; yes He will lead us through our troubles; no he will not ignore our sin in the process; yes we will need to confess and ask forgiveness; no it will not fall on deaf ears; and YES He will bless us in our storms, and see us to the distant shore.
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:37-41 ESV
If you are experiencing trouble today... awaken Jesus. Tell Him of your fears and what you are going through and then ask Him to intercede. He is faithful and will either still the raging sea you find yourself in or increase the size of your boat to accommodate it. You see; it isn't about the sea, or the trouble in our lives... it is about how we face it and the faith we have in our captain, our savior.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your presence in my life and the comfort you provide me in times of tribulation. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who tells me to ask in His Name and that you will provide. This world is full of trouble Lord, but you are greater than all of it, and Jesus tells us that He is greater than he who is in the world. No suffering released upon us by Satan is beyond His ability to overcome, and in you Heavenly Father I place my trust always. Bless me Father during my trials and sorrow; give me your comfort and let me feel your peace as I pray my way through the greatest of my hardships. Your hand is upon me always... what am I to fear? You guide my steps... where am I lost? My answer from you is that I should never fear and that I am never lost. I praise your name and cling to you with every ounce of strength I can muster. I know that at the instant my fingers of faith begin to grow too weak to hold on, you will renew me, and that in you I will not fail... you are my deliverer, and my safe harbor. You are my almighty God who builds me up. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who was, and is, and is to come, but my faith is in you right now… for you are the great I AM and are always with me presently in my times of danger or suffering… you are with me NOW and are helping me NOW. This is your promise to me Abba and it is the everlasting hope and faith you are building up in my spiritual muscles. Help me as I look to you in my trials, tribulations, and storms… my faith may be strained by my troubles but it grows stronger because you are there with me, and healing every strain, rip, and tear. Praised be your name my Creator, my God.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 ESV
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Rich Forbes