How Hard Times Help You Grow
Have you ever faced a troublesome time in your life? Maybe you’re in the middle of a painful time right now… The truth is that every life is going to be touched by difficulty, and those difficulties can actually help you grow. While knowing this truth is only a small comfort when you’re in the moment, you can trust that you will see that growth eventually.
Your pain, your trial, and your suffering, are unique to you. And as a Christian, you also have the added pressure to handle your tough times simply because your faith is supposed to be all-sufficient. The reality is, though, that God is all-sufficient, not you. But he does give you the resources and power to endure as long as you are connected to him in humble submission to his will. In John 15, Jesus said:
““I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “ABIDE” IN JESUS?
To abide in the Lord is to recognize that He is sovereign over your life. This means that:
You trust him with every aspect of your life
You surrender your desires and allow his will to be done in your life.
·You maintain intimacy with him through daily and frequent prayer.
THE STRUGGLE WITH PRAYER DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
When we pray during our times of struggle, we may feel the need to plead with God. After all, we’re probably frustrated, devastated, frightened, and maybe even destitute. But we actually don’t need to beg God. To beg him is to misunderstand his character. He wants to do the right thing for us because he’s good, and he’s also in control.
Hebrews 4:15 tells us God is able to “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and he encourages us to be persistent in asking for his help. This is why Jesus told a parable about a woman who made herself a pest with a judge. Jesus’ point in that parable was that we “...should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
Of course, this type of persistent prayer is based on faith. Faith is not a beggar. It’s a child who is certain of their Father’s love.
PRAY WITH THE PURPOSE OF ALIGNING WITH GOD
In Psalm 119, we are given a recipe for dealing with our trials:
“I get up before the sun rises. I cry out for help. I’ve put my hope in Your word… I spend my time thinking about Your promises...”
Persistent prayer will put you in sync with the Lord, not necessarily to get the exact outcome you desire, but to allow Him to give you peace and the strength to hang in there. Although it may sound unreasonable, James 1:2 says that we should “...count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
HAPPINESS VS. JOY: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Is joy possible when your diagnosis is grim, you’ve lost your job, a relationship has crumbled, or your loved one suddenly dies? Sometimes we confuse joy with happiness. God does not expect you to be happy during your trial. Happiness is an emotion, a feeling associated with things that are fun, pleasant, and temporarily satisfying. What you really need is joy.
Joy, one of the nine fruits of the Spirit, is quite different from happiness. Joy is defined a sustained, confident contentment. It can only come from God, and we seek it and obtain it through the prayer of faith.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul advises:
“When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.”
This joy is developed in you as you become certain that you are in the hands of a loving God who allows you to experience difficulties for a purpose.
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?
This is a common question, and it is sometimes a tough one to get your mind around: Why would a loving God allow us to experience such difficult moments?
Peter gave us one reason:
“Your troubles have come in order to prove that your faith is real. Your faith is worth more than gold…. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor, and glory to God.”
And Paul told us what we gain through enduring troubles:
“We know that our suffering gives us strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope... ”
Finally, James said our trials will bring special blessings:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
IF WE PERSEVERE, WE ARE STRENGTHENED
There is a type of metal called “tempered steel.” It is created through a process of heating to about 2,500 degrees, followed by rapid cooling. This changes the properties of the steel to make it harder, stronger, and able to withstand great force.
Truly, the best steel is tempered by fire, and we can also be spiritually tempered, as Peter suggested:
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”