th (5)Are you a survivor? Have you gone through something and come out the other side still standing? My mother always says,

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

I would have to agree.

So many times when difficulties come our way, we immediately want to blame God, like He’s done something to us.  When we encounter hardship in our life, and we will, we have to realize God didn’t bring it upon us [John 16:33]. That’s not keeping with His character. We live in a fallen world [Galatians 1:3-4, Ephesians 2:1-2]. God is good and He gives His children good gifts [Psalm 73:1, Matthew 7:11].

God does allow us to walk through some difficulties in this life, but only if it serves a purpose.  We may not understand why He allows it or what His purpose is because our ways are not His ways, but we can trust Him [Isaiah 55:8, Psalm 56:4]. According to Psalm 23:4 though we walk through valleys; we don’t set up residence there.  Not only is the journey a season instead of a lifetime, we don’t have to go through it alone.  He’s with us and He brings us comfort.

  • Our faith is strengthened and grows with each hardship we walk through. 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire– may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [1 Peter 1:6-7]

  • The way we walk through hardship is a testimony to others.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:6]

  • We draw closer to the Lord, gaining strength from Him, and deepen our relationship with Him when we walk through hardship.

Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. [Psalm 55:22]

Do you find yourself in the midst of hardship right now? Look for Jesus.  He’s there.  He’s promised never to leave us nor forsake us [Deuteronomy 31:6, 8].  Seek Him in the midst of your trouble, and like Peter, He will catch you and keep you safe, no matter how far you feel like you’re sinking.