Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:7-11
The hardships of life can offer questions of ‘why is this happening to me?’ and subsequently met with sadness, heartbreak, disappointment internally and externally you’re dealing with the practicality of how to tackle and get through that situation. Can I firstly say, we are human and its absolutely normal to question God in times of hardship – I have done it on more than 21 occasions. This blog is here to offer a perspective shift so you win in the battle of the mind, to increase your faith and give you tools on how to get through hard times.
First of all, sometimes it is God who allows you to face certain life pressures and trails. It is not to break you, hurt you or harm you but to produce something in you, give you something at the end of it or usher you in to a new season of your life. So that is the first point, not all hardship is the devil and demons. How do you know the difference? Ask Holy Spirit, is there a devil I need to rebuke here or is this a test from you?
What is the purpose/end result of the hardship?
… It is so that we can be mature, complete and not lacking anything, look here:
James 1:1-4. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Why in the whole first place?
- God chastens those He loves.. because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son – Hebrews 12:6.
- You are supposed to tell your testimony to believers and non-believers alike so that you tell of God’s goodness and power and so you and others can overcome…They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony – Revelation 12:11.
- Faith exercise to rely on Him. Do you remember the footprints in the sand analogy, when we go through the valleys God is there, when we are alone and crying in despair he is there. In fact Psalm 56:8 David writes: ‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.’ God is an expert restorer, anything taken away in the low times God can bring it back better than it was before, it might not be how or what you expect but your Creator knows you best and where you are going; so it’ll be perfect for you. He wants us to rely on Him totally. God is a jealous God after all and does not want anything taking His place in your life.
How to get through?
- God promises to never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and He also commands us to be strong and courageous
- God’s strength is perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)… In any area where we are weak and struggling, there is grace and God will strengthen and sustain us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us – Philippians 4:13
- Understand that as Christians, we are not immune to suffering; the difference is for us victory is certain. Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. The Father sent Jesus and part of Jesus’ assignment and purpose was to suffer and die. Now the victory part, Jesus He overcame hell and the grave, He is the King of the universe and is the most superior name. To the name of Jesus everything must bow. Declare His powerful name over your situation
- God has given us tools in this life to persevere and get through the sticky times.. He gives us peace that surpasses human understanding and joy, the joy of the Lord is our strength
- Speak life. There is power of life and death in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), even if you do not see it speak it. Change your vocabulary from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I will’, declare I will be able to meet my bills and have money left over because God is Jehovah Jireh my provider. Speak it, name it and claim it and do not stop.
So in hardship, do not run and hide or back down. Contrary to popular opinion, I think we should stay in it (for as long and God says only) feel the emotions.. But, still hold on to your faith and integrity, still do good in it, ask God ‘what I am to learn in this pit?’ ‘what I am I coming out with?’, hold on to God allow Him to lead you through. God promises that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning and He gives us beauty for ashes. Do not lose heart, change your perspective. I’ll leave you with 2 Corinthians 4:8-10:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body…
Verses 15-18: All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 15-18
Love,
Dom xx
