Thriving in Times of Difficulty

Nearly the whole of Luke 21 deals with the fact believers will face incredible persecution as the end of times draws near. We are warned of all sorts of difficulties that will come our way. We were never promised that the Christian life would be easy. In fact, we are told in Matthew 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master’ If they persecute me, they will also persecute you.”

The question for us is, how do we face such times and still honor our Lord? The text of Luke 21 gives us three ways. First, we must walk in the Spirit. Verse 14 says, “Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer.” He has just been talking about the fact that believers will be persecuted, arrested, and brought before the officials. Jesus says, don’t worry about how you will answer ahead of time. In the moment you need an answer, He will give it to you. The ability to walk in such freedom, not worrying about what to say if something happens, can only come from trusting God’s Spirit to lead us.

Second, we must endure. When times get bad, it is difficult to keep pressing on. However, this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. In verse 19 He says, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” It is by our endurance that we prove we are truly committed to Jesus Christ. If we bail at the first sign of things getting difficult, then there was not much of a commitment there.

Third, we are to long for the return of Christ. Verse 27 says, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” “And then.” These two words point to the fact that suffering will precede the return of Christ. If we are not aware of this fact, then suffering could turn us away from our faith. However, if we recognize this fact, then we are prepared to face the difficulties ahead with full assurance that our Lord’s return is near.

Let us continue to walk in faith. Times will get hard. Some of these difficulties are just normal for the course of life. Some of these difficulties will be a direct result of our faith in Christ. Regardless of the root of our difficulties the solution remains the same: walk in the Spirit, endure, and anticipate the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.