Hope in Hardship
Today I'm posing the question: “Why do we go through so much hardship?”
That's a great question, a question I always wonder about. It's hard living in the world of sin. The Bible acknowledges how hardship is a part of life. It also offers hope and guidance on how to navigate it. Suffering produces growth when we don't always know why we are in the situations we are in. It's weird to think that hardships produce growth. It is hard to understand that. Romans 5:3-5 states, Christians should rejoice in their sufferings, knowing that they lead to perseverance, which in turn develops character, and character leads to hope, a hope that will not disappoint because God's love has been poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit. That's hard to think about how we can rejoice in our sufferings.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
I believe that we can rejoice in our sufferings by continuing to worship and praise God. Even in our sufferings, we know that He is the only one who can give us Hope. This passage encourages believers to find a sense of joy or celebration even amid hardships and trials. Suffering produces perseverance. We humans just want to give up and turn to sin.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.’”
James 1:2-4
Similar to Romans, James encourages believers to consider trials as an opportunity for growth, as they test faith and produce steadfastness. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 describes the Apostle Paul's understanding of Christian suffering, emphasizing that while believers may experience hardship and persecution, they are not ultimately overcome or destroyed. This section highlights their resilience and faith in God's strength during challenging times.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Psalms 9:9-10 assures believers that God will be our refuge in times of trouble, and he won't forsake us if we seek him. God wants us to go to him. Hardships are a way to draw us closer the God. That's hard to think about, I think, I want to run from the hardships and avoid them at all costs. The Bible encourages believers to view hardships not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth, spiritual refinement, and dependence on God's strength and comfort. Even God knew there would be suffering, but the Bible tells us how to navigate it.
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Psalms 9:9-10
Prayer
Lord, thank you that we can go to you anytime. Thank you for the hardships and allowing us to know that even in suffering, you will help us.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.