All of us frequently speak with others about the hardships of our life.
At times these hardships are a result of our own sinful choices. Other times they are brought upon us by the sinful choices that others have made. Then more difficulties and challenges are added into our lives, not related to anyone’s sinful choice, but as a result of living in a sin-cursed world.
You wake up one morning and another difficulty greets you! At this point, you want to ask for a time-out in life. “Lord, I need a break!” “Please God can this cycle stop?!” I have personally talked with many friends and family members who have expressed this type of response to me. Another response I often hear is, “Will this ever change?”
What do you do when these struggles in your life unfold before you?
You want the problems to just go away. Maybe you choose to retreat or run and avoid the hard times in your life? So, the question is, “What should you do with these difficult events that hit you?” Said in another way, “How do you turn them into a blessing and an opportunity?”
Or consider this, perhaps you are not currently struggling with anything. But when you see the people God put into your circle around you struggling are you engaged with them? Are you a faithful friend that will reach out to help in a time of difficulty to encourage and walk with them? Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Will you be intentional to help others bring their situation in-line with the instruction God gave us? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
As we move forward in 2020, let each of us act intentionally when we are met with difficult situations. Let each of us determine to help counsel and comfort each other through these events.
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” As one who is struggling, will you use these opportunities to be conformed to be more like your Creator and engage others to do likewise? God’s Word says in Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Let us not waste the difficult times in our life but rather use them to be conformed more into the person of Jesus Christ each day. Let us also not run from these hard situations but walk each day with the intention of helping others draw closer to God (Proverbs 27:17), regardless of what may unfold this year!