Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! In fact, it is so difficult at times, I start to question God's wisdom in all of this. If you have the right perspective. I felt we were being cruel to the branches. Yet we must not conclude that our lives will be nothing but unrelieved suffering. 2023 St. John Celebration - Village Night 5.1 Jahman, Third World, Koffee, Pressure Mixed? Solicitation Disclosure Statement Now, that is pretty expensive. Billy Graham: Why Does God Allow Suffering? In the same way, Christians frequently confuse pruning with punishment. And if we do have a clear trust in Jesus, Gods goal is to grow our trust and our holiness. Because none of it makes sense. Because Jesus tells us that when you feel at home in this world, you wont enjoy the next. Why is God making things so hard? Risen Church Brisbane What do problems reveal about you? Because life is hard. God had shocked me at age 15 with an experience of his grace. God uses problems to PERFECT you. But they never forgot. I knew who God was, but chose to branch out from Him and seek satisfaction in other places. Its done in love. It is the evidence of Gods love for us that is as hard as wood and as sharp as nails. As you think about your life, are there times when you believe God was disciplining you? They are barren and lifeless. But it doesnt work. The Lord is far off. (2Cor. God's Purpose Behind Your Problems: Spiritual Life in God No matter what is happening to us, we can recognize that it will ultimately count as little more than a light momentary affliction that is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. It doesnt always feel nice, but I trust the intentions of the editor and believe the process is for my benefit. It reveals to us what we do know, and do, and what we dont know, nor do. God does call us to work hard and to steward the abilities He has given to us. Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, PA. What Does "I Believe! When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. Many times we get. But I failed to foresee that Israel might be a bad location for avoiding God. you anoint my head with oil; Once I was blind, but now I see. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 2023 ArcaMax Publishing. As they listen, they are learning to trust. That only happens in summer blockbusters young men are obligated to take their girlfriends to see. The Lord had rescued them from Egypt with the plagues, providing the Passover lamb and then destroying the Egyptian army that was intent on enslaving them again. like grass that is renewed in the morning: Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling, 10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know, Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership, Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Even Jesus agreed that life is hard, but He didn't stop there. Anyone can love someone who loves them back. I learned that inexperienced vinedressers often fail to prune aggressively enough. To be a Christian means to believe in our Lords bodily resurrection (Romans 10:9), and to believe in his resurrection entails believing in our own resurrections (1 Corinthians 15). Theology of Work Project Online Materials by The High Calling are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Is God trying to get your attention? We made the right decision to buy a house. So how do these passages encourage us and give us hope? Topics: Suffering. It was their hardships. Or better. I had been diligent. Mosess poetry in Psalm 90 leads us, step by step, deep into the cellar of their lifes brevity, pain, and toil. Today were told to find ourselves by looking within. Why does God make life so difficult? - Quora Finally, we need to circle back to the start. The goal of the hardship was to provide an unquenchable oasis for their souls. And the 99 who dont realize theyre lost will never find their way home to God. In other words, what God, in the course of his ordinary providence, ordains creations structures and processes to bring us, is not only outside our control but also beyond our finding out. It is harder for some than for others, but we all must cope with being imperfect people in an imperfect world. At our age? Our record of Jesus comes from witnesses who followed him for years. The same power that led Jesus to cry out from the cross, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). (Luke 15:47). In these communal settlements in Israel, backpackers volunteered to work, often as vinedressers, in exchange for food and accommodation. The God of ALL COMFORT, the one who knows exactly what our broken hearts need, comforts us in ALL our affliction. It does not make any sense. Even the most insignificant person in the worlds eyes matters infinitely to God. This hardship made them feel that their lives were under threat. I had been responsible. Why does God make some peoples' lives harder than others? Why would he We believe that faithful proclamation of the gospel is what our hostile and disoriented world needs. . Ill address this in tomorrows reflection. Frequently I dont know whats best for my own growth either. One of the fathers spoils his son, lets him have whatever he wants, and asks very little of him. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. The value of a Christians faith in God is one most of us dont understand. For his children, testing is part of his profound love. Now comes the hard part, Lord. People are more attracted to those who are more like Christ. My God. Affliction positions us to receive grace. He heard them. So it caught me, my friends, and my family off guard when suddenly I knew Jesus lived in my heart by faith (Eph. There are many good ways to spend your Sunday. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. Or your child is in hospital. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the person of His Son Jesus Christ. And others thwart those plans. More sleeping. Im not sure at the time if I comprehended much more. Affliction positions us to receive grace. The hardship is too great. The third verse begins that descent by echoing Gods words to Adam in Genesis 3:19: You return man to dust God is treating you like sons and daughters! Man up. And when that happens, we need to ask God to help our faith grow. When hard times come to you, turn to Christ (who suffered and died for you), and ask God to use them to strengthen your faith. They don't think God is present. I had been taught as a child that if you work hard enough, you can reach your goals. Likewise, God is intent on me being fruitful so He draws my attention to whatever might inhibit that, offering me deeper awareness of my motives and patterns of thought or behavior. Things are grim. If a friend or someone you know is hurting or feels hopeless, learn how to walk alongside them with compassion, gentleness and comforting truth. Spirit-filled living involves believing He will grow us into who were meant to be, and trusting that the fruit will come. It is a life of no more sorrow, no more tears, when sin and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). When the Israelites escape from Egypt they are confronted with grim deserts and lots of hardship in Exodus 15 to 17. In the easy times and the hard times, the source of life is the same Gods word. So, why do they blame Moses and Aaron? I must have missed all the school assemblies devoted to disappointment and failure. When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me as an earthly father loves a child, and so much more. This is the child, who for the most part has had more happy days than sad, and whose smile lights up a room. Indiana Jones: Fading Magic in a Secular Age, How to Dismiss an Employee in a Church or Ministry, 5 Reasons Your Church Service Should Include Pastoral Prayer, The Lies That Serve Us: Christians and Critical Race Theory, Marriage Is Better for Your Adult Kids Than You May Think, Anglicans, Lets Stay True to Our Confessional Heritage. But if you dont experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters. Life Is Hard. Jesus Doesn't Make It Easier. - The Gospel Coalition Teen Couple Judged for Having a Baby Gets Sweet Redemption 18 Years Later With Viral Pic, 9 Out of 10 People Miss These Red Flags of Sex Trafficking Victims. I envied those who would see it. Our hope for the ultimate redemption of our bodies is, as Paul puts it, the hope in which we were saved (Romans 8:24). The water isnt good. And as they listen and obey their relationship with the LORD ought to deepen and deepen. But I have found that God is with me. Affliction makes us rely on Christ's power. He bought them out to be his people. But Jesus tells us thats not the way of Gods kingdom. We need testing. Life Is So Hard Because This Planet Really Is Broken and He's Giving the World Time to Repent Before He Makes All Things New Much of the hardness of life has nothing to do with what you did or did not do to cause that hardness. True life is knowing that hardship comes so that true faith will be proven to be true. We focus excessively on our output, because we want to be judged according to our effort, not our ability to remain dependent on someone elses finished work. But God does. Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities. As Jesus says, man does not live sourdough alone, nor French patisseries, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Addiction. Jesus told us to beware of "the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things (that) come in and choke the word (of God)" (Mark 4:19). I left wonderful co-workers to follow what I thought to be Gods call. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, forI have found my sheep that was lost., Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner whorepents than over ninety-ninerighteous persons who need no repentance. You dont always know what will get you. Jesus turns religious expectation on its head. Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. Psalms 119:71-72ClosePsalms 119:71-72 Would you take your car to a mechanic who didnt pass her exam on combustion engines? We are redeemed. And this refined faith is achieved by Gods testing. And nothing changes for the better. 4. Why does God allow hard times to happen to us? , NIV). Here are 3 reasons God allows life to be so hard according to the Bible. False hope. All rights reserved. I wasnt a Christian when I left my job as an advertising executive in London and traveled to Israel. Most life perishes. In the Bible you will find the answers to the questions and the problems of your life. central, clarifying how disconcerting life after the fall can be. A: We sometimes forget that life for the vast majority of people on this planet is hard -- very hard. Sometimes we dont do what we want to do. 1. And yet God is making it more precious. So, there was no one else to blame but the dynamic duo. The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, as the desert disaster rolls on, it seems many of the Israelites werent listening. Ecclesiastes is best understood as an arresting but thoroughly orthodox exposition of Genesis 13, as David Clemens observes. If you're going through a tough time, take heart. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. I hadnt been promised a child, either. Living for Godwhy is it so difficult? | GotQuestions.org Youd struggle to find any clearer teaching from Jesus, as confusing as he may seem to modern ears. Our muscles only become strong if we exercise them and challenge them to do more. The testing is good. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. The world is a confusing place right now. Creation and New Creation examines the doctrine of creation alongside new creation. I wasnt in control. Whatever your background, I want to ask: Have you ever really met Jesus? As Jesus says, man does not live sourdough alone, nor French patisseries, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Others, however, turn to God and find comfort and strength in Him. I couldnt wait to graduate from church. Then I thought of God. Cindee Snider Re I was clueless about how best to tend the vines. For we dont truly understand the infinite value of the person of Jesus. Is Christ first in your life? This Is Why Your Life Is So Hard Right Now . . . - YouTube Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? WHY? Q: Life has always been a struggle for me, and it still is, especially financially. When were helpless to change our situation, we cry out to our Savior who delivers us from our distress. This is like deciding to release your seat belt when the road conditions get rough. You are signing up to receive general newsletters from CBN. Do you feel like God is being hard on you today? For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Okay, I know David Attenborough can find life anywhere. You prepare a table before me "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.". By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services on Sep 18, 2007 Published in Billy Graham Subscribe Privacy Policy Q: Life has always been a struggle for me, and it still is, especially financially. What would happen to your muscles? And there seems to be no end in sight. Im catching on to the fact that life is hard. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Amen. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Do not be anxious. in the presence of my enemies; 10 key points from the Bible give a foundation for Christians asking what the Bible says about our work. We want you to know how you can endure any hardship with faith and peace. Lost and Found: How Jesus Helped Us Discover Our True Selves, The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation, How Evangelicals Lose Will Make All the Difference. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. This is infinite in value. Something went wrong. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. He leads me beside still waters. Why bother with the charade of dressing up and dragging yourself out of the house to hear old songs and a short message of questionable relevance? Let him pray. The pathway to this was deeper listening in hard times. But what I do know is that possessions and wealth can become a barrier between us and God -- and nothing could be more serious. Why did God make me such a failure : r/Christianity - Reddit He was there. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:1718; Romans 8:18). Psalm 90 is Israels poignant lament that, even though they are Gods chosen people, they are also Adams children, subject as he was to Gods righteous anger at their sin. But we didnt know where to find him. Affliction reminds us that this world is not our home, For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. In fact, it is so difficult at times, I start to question Gods wisdom in all of this. A planner. for his names sake. Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. Growing as believers is meant to be good, not just feel good. Anything goes. It was more of a prison break than a pilgrimage. Physical punishment cleanses away evil;*such discipline purifies the heart. And any spiritual reservoirs we had, evaporate under the harsh conditions. Answer Life IS hard. Jesus experienced hard times toothe road to the cross was no small matter. Student loans. It looks that way, doesnt it? he replied. We rage against the evil of this world. Since becoming a Christian Ive also tried branching out from God. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget none of his benefits. When I lie to someone for example, the trust between us is damaged. A Beyond Blue reader wrote to me the other day and asked, "How do you know that you are on the right path, and that God approves? Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. (1 Peter 1:6-7) ESV. The religious leaders finally caught up to him. In the easy times and the hard times, the source of life is the same - God's word. It is also at the heart of his call to prayer in Philippians 4. Which is a sign that were not trusting. If you know where to look and what to look for. What Does Nehemiah's Life Teach Us about Following God? ", Michelle Lindsey is a Jesus-loving wife of more than two decades and a homeschooling mom of four who blogs about what happens when romance meets reality (with her adult daughter!) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, Jesus told a crowd. And only one way to find it. The only way to get patience and endurance is by being placed in situations that require it. The hardships and trials that draw you to the cross of Jesus are a blessing. November 14, 2016 Does Christianity Make Life Harder? The Bible offers guidance for a Christian view of wealth and how wealth can be used for God's redemptive purposes. What would cause you to feel thankfulness even when you dont get the promotion, when you dont get the scholarship, when you dont get the girl? And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. That's why it's imperative that when we are going through a time of trial . The food isnt up to scratch like the meat pots of Egypt. And when he has found it,he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. The Lord is absent. Cry out to God. The same is true spiritually. And he applies it to himself, as the good shepherd (John 10:11). Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. All for Jesus glory and praise. What child isnt disciplined by his or her father? Affliction gives us compassion for others, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Everything God does in our lives is for our benefit, including suffering. He is with you. God defines the fruit Hes producing in us in Galatians chapter five: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Salem Media Group. Your instructions are more valuable to methan millions in gold and silver. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. But it will be worth it in the end, because it is by patiently enduring in faith that well enter heaven. I know, it seems impossible, but it is clear that it didnt fill their hearts and minds. My suffering was good for me,for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. And they want to know what they are supposed to do with all of the stress and turmoil. (Msg). Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. James 5:13, Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. And this is how we feel when hardships come our way. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good . What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. After all, Im the one who got myself into this mess. Your instructions are more valuable to methan millions in gold and silver. . God promised. He isnt far away or absent. Find out more on his blog,The Blazing Center. Jesus held a shepherds rod in one hand and cradled a little lamb in the other. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. He is a member of Iron City Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and he is an adjunct professor at Beeson Divinity School, where he also co-chairs the advisory board. "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Pr. We plan. When we sin, there are natural consequences. Can I really thank you for the times when you have either allowed or caused pain in my life? Segal says, "The devil wants your life to be all sorrow and no joy, but God means for you to find deeper, more durable joy in your sorrow and suffering ( 2 Corinthians 6:10 ).". This hope, Paul tells us, keeps us from losing heart, for while our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Our suffering, in other words, can and should prompt us to look up and long for what God has prepared for us. But Jesus confuses the exact people who have been reading, reciting, and singing Psalm 23 their whole lives. Ps 107:6. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. And so, if life gets bad for us, it isnt a sign that Christianity is untrue or that God has abandoned us. Listen more deeply. 5. Mark Altroggehas been senior pastor ofSovereign Grace Church of Indiana, Pennsylvania, since 1982. This was their salvation. and say, Return, O children of Adam! . Were on a mission to change that. Once I was lost, but Jesus came and found me. When all the affirmation of the world cant help you love yourself. Experiencing culture shock after traveling to a developing area can be difficult. When I worked hard, good things happened. at, South Carolina Police Officer Pulls Over Car for Running Red LightThats When the Driver Mouths Help Me. When I was 25, I joined a kibbutz in Israels Negev Desert. He edited Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor and The New City Catechism Devotional, among other books. Depression. Dear brothers and sisters,* when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Today were told to find ourselves by looking within. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. I asked myself,What did I do, bringing my son into this dark place?. And when he has found it,he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. Especially those benefits he bringsus through hard times. Ive always been known as a fairly serious person, even as a young child. Over the years, Ive found that people often react to hard times in one of two ways. For me the hardship came in threes, one after the other: I couldn't find a job. Hardship is a natural result of living on earth. I mean, come on. While our weeping may last through the night, unending joy will come to us in the morning (Psalm 30:5). And I wondered how He was able to bring His Son to this wretched place? God, the Father, displayed his astounding love for us by sending his Son, Jesus, to save us from judgement and hell. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faithmore precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by firemay be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Whats more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. Bills Rival Jets, Rodgers to Star in Hard Knocks Creation and New Creation: Understanding God's Creation Project. Once they realized they were lost, he found them. Trust in the LORD is life. Why Has God Made My Life So Hard? My suffering was good for me,for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. I found no resolution. Her adversaries have become rulers; her enemies relax. The Bible also warns us against envy and greed. 2023 BGEA God uses problems to CORRECT you - Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. Student loans. in the evening it fades and withers. they comfort me. Why does God allow hard times to happen to us? They forced me to learn from your textbook. Would he really truly just let them just die in the desert? How You Can Experience God's Love and Forgiveness, The Healthiest Way to Face Disappointment. They also assure me that, for those of us who have become his children through faith in his Sons work, Gods anger against our sin will last for only a moment, while his favor toward us will last forever. What Happened to Historian Molly Worthen? Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. So, this much I can say and mean it, Thank you for loving me so much that you will do what is necessary for me to be the best person I can be. in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; And with student loans on top of it all, and no promise of a lucrative career, I didnt know how to provide for the kids we couldnt have. As many blessings as this world has, its not our home. This paradigm is shown at the first hardship. Have you ever heard him speak in the pages of his Word? The reason the Israelites were instant deists and the source of their grumbling was not just that they dismissed the Lords very presence but also because they had forgotten their salvation. 5. He makes me lie down in green pastures. And then I cry bitter tears because I hear no answer. People who dont follow Christ still live good lives, pursue careers, have families and leave legacies. For. Christianity Reminders From God When You Feel Like a Failure We serve a God who didn't promise success all the time, but who promised us that he would always be there for us. Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. Im a fixer. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. No, God wanted a deeper relationship. It didnt work. Collin Hansen serves as vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. A refined faith, in Gods incredible economy, is even more precious because it brings more glory to Jesus. I would first respond by saying that it is all in one's perspective. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. 16:2425). These things are good but can also become ways to live according to my own effort. Why is hardship part of a loving Heavenly Father's plan? God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in his holiness. Our own poor choices can also bring suffering. Image by Now the Israelites are in the desert. I have friends who are struggling. Life is hard for tons of people, you need to work hard, focus on self-improvement and write down the problems you have in your life and write possible solutions to them and get after it. He Himself is a God who is caught up in an ongoing rhythm of work and rest ( Gen. 1, Gen. 2:2, John 5:17 ), and He similarly gives people made in His image good work to do. What can break the cycle of hate? QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What are your experiences of discipline in your family? If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, Jesus told his disciples. When you look inside yourself for answers and emerge only with despair.
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