Persevering Through Difficulties

When difficulties or challenges arise in our lives, we must choose how we are going to respond. We can view the difficulty as the end of the story or we can wait and see what God is going to do. Throughout Scripture we see people face difficulties, some of their own making and some they had no control over. However, God always seems to move on their behalf to bring about great things.

One such story is the story of Joseph. Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery. He is taken from his home into Egypt. While in Egypt he ends up in prison. If ever someone had a reason to declare defeat and just give up, it was Joseph. However, Joseph continued to give life his all and to trust the Lord. The time came that God raised Joseph up out of his dungeon and put him in a place of power.

It was in this place of power, essentially the Prime Minister of Egypt, that Joseph once again faces his brothers. In spite of all they did to him and the fact that his life was incredibly difficult because of their actions, he displays grace. When his brothers discovered that it was him, they were afraid. Was he going to use this opportunity to settle the score? Joseph does not. Instead, Joseph says to them, “do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5).

Joseph recognized that God has been working the whole time. Though he had to face some very dark hours, God had sent him ahead to prepare for a coming famine. Now that time and come the purposes of God were revealed. Many of us face difficult days. It is often hard to understand what God is up to. However, we must keep the faith, live our lives as God has called us to, and press forward in optimism. When the time comes, God’s purposes will be revealed.

When Difficulties Direct

Throughout the book of Acts we have seen the progression of the gospel. We are reminded once again of Jesus’ Great Commission. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We have seen the gospel proclaimed in Jerusalem, in Judea, and Samaria. Now we come to Acts 13 and we see the gospel launched “to the ends of the earth.”

Paul and Barnabas have been preaching the gospel. The Jewish people that they were speaking to were responding with great interest. Unfortunately, this upset the leaders of the people. The Bible says, “But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him” (Acts 13:45). Paul and Barnabas could have allowed this to discourage them. They could have looked at the situation and quit. Instead, they simply say, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). The Gentile response is also worth noting. We are told, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

This story has two things for us that are worthy of note. First, we are reminded once again that God has a heart for the nations. God’s desire is that all people will come to a saving knowledge of Him. As believers, we are to take part in this gospel advance. Second, it was after a difficult situation occurred that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. We must be careful not to view every challenge as a negative. Sometimes God uses these difficulties to direct our path and accomplish His will. Walk in faith and expectation…even in the difficult times.

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.