Enduring Hardships
Do you know people who seem to never have a problem? They have plenty of money, are never sick and everything goes right for them (including all of their personal relationships… whether with significant others or friends).
However, they would not know God if they met Him coming down the sidewalk? Yet, you are struggling.
If you know individuals like this, it does not take long to start making comparisons. Their situation is on the “green grass” side of the fence, looking good.
Your situation is on the other side, battling and fighting everything satan is throwing at you. You may be at the point of saying, “I don’t want to fight anymore. I’m just going to give up.”
Don’t give up! The fight is worth it!
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.” - II Timothy 1:8 (AMP).
In another passage Paul told Timothy, “Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.” - II Timothy 2:3 (AMP).
In other words, accept the fact that when you serve the Lord, you are going to face some problems and difficulties.
That being said, Christians can expect satan to attack them with trials and troubles.
However, the Bible says, “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.” - James 1:2-3 (AMP).
In other words, when all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives… don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! - James 1:2-3 phillips.
“Give me a break!” you may say. “How can I welcome my trials as friends?”
James gives the answer in verse 4. He says, “But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” - James 1:4 (AMP).
In other words, although trials come to test your faith, they produce endurance so that you can stand firm and say, “No matter what, I am going to overcome!”
To sum things up, trials and tribulations WILL come to try and/or prove your faith, but they WILL produce in you the quality to endure as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
God Bless!
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible.”
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