As a Christian, one of my biggest challenges was accepting that I would have to endure hardships. When a certain difficulty was brought my way (especially one that was not self-inflicted) I would often wonder why God would not take it away. I mean after all he is God and according to Jeremiah 32:27, there is nothing too hard for him to do. I pondered on how God, who loved me so much, would leave me in such an unpleasant situation. This might have been Paul’s initial thoughts in 2 Corinthians 12:8, when he expressed his pain to God about the thorn in his flesh. He begged God severally to take the thorn away but God replied ‘My grace is sufficient for you [My loving-kindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.’ This was exactly what God was trying to teach me- He puts me in certain situations not to bring me pain or shame but rather, that I may lean on his strength and his name would be glorified.
Recently, I was faced with a huge difficulty that involved me waiting to receive an important document. If I did not receive this document it would have affected me greatly. There were several delays to receiving it and at a point it seemed like I was not going to get it. Initially, I had faith that God would come through and speed up the process. If you saw me you won’t have even known I had an issue. However when it started to take longer I started to loose hope. I was not as committed to my quiet time with God and I would grumble. Just like Peter, in Mathew 14:28-33, he was able to walk on water when he was focused on Jesus but as soon as he started looking at his environment he started to sink. Likewise, as soon as I started focusing on my circumstance rather than God’s word, I started to give up. Fortunately enough God started to speak to me about my attitude. One day, during this period, I was reading my devotion and it was talking about why God changed his mind about the Israelites (Numbers 14:26-32) and I was also led to a verse Mathew 11:6 ‘You are blessed when you do not take offense at God.’ I knew God was saying to me that he was going to turn my situation around at his time but loosing faith and grumbling would only cause him to tie his hand from helping me. Immediately I repented and started to praise him again and to God be the glory, everything started to speed up and I received the document.
The bible commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to rejoice in all circumstances and that this is God’s will for us. It is easier said than done but I believe God asks us to do this because behind the scenes he is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28) and hence we should celebrate. If you have been a Christian for while, I am sure you would have encountered God’s faithfulness and love and come to realize that he never fails nor gives up on his children. If you’re new to the Christian walk, I want to encourage you that you are not alone, even in difficult times God is with you. He says in his word that even if your mother or father forsakes you, God would hold you close (Psalm 27:10). The bible even commands us in James 1:2 that we should ‘consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, when you fall into various trials. Be assured the testing of your faith (through experience) produces endurance (leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace). So SMILE, be STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE, because God is with you and therefore, you shall overcome.