Post by Cindy on Mar 7, 2016 11:56:54 GMT -5
We all go through trials and hardship at one time or another, but what happens when the trials seem to just continue and never stop? When even if one trial ends, another takes it place, with no real break in between even? Like everything else in life, we choose how we're going to deal with it. Most of us get downright frustrated and even angry for a bit. It's like that rule that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, has hung itself over us and won't leave. We feel like we've done nothing to deserve such trials and we become angry and upset with God. It's like we think He's not living up to His end of the bargain. But wait! Come to think of it, He never did make a bargain with us about making our life easier, did He? Ouch! That's a hard truth to remember when we're in this kind of predicament. We pray and want God to take the hardships away, to make our life easier, better, and when He doesn't, it confuses us. Does that mean He doesn't love us? Did we do something wrong? Have we sinned against Him and are being punished? We keep thinking, "What did I do to deserve this? Haven't I been Good?"
Thoughts like that often come from either a misunderstanding of God's Word, or false teaching, or just as likely from our sin nature. Our sin nature focuses on self, it's all about "me". It's self centered, and our priority in life is to be happy and have all that we want, when we want it, and that's generally, right now. Our sin nature (and Satan and the world of course) tells us that we're good, that we can do, be, and have, anything we want to if we'll only work at it. But what does God tell us? He says we're sinners and that our very best is nothing but filthy rags compared to Him, a Holy God! (Isaiah 64:6) In all honesty, we "deserve" nothing but Hell. At that point, we generally again think, 'but wait, I'm saved now, and have a new nature, so I don't deserve hell anymore!" Ah, but that new nature was given to us by God, we didn't earn it, and there's no way we could earn it even if we wanted to. Nor do we constantly abide in Christ as He tells us to, and live a sinless life like He did, even though we are saved. Our salvation is a gift, not a right, and certainly not anything we deserve! Nowhere does God tell us that He will make our life here after salvation, pleasant and enjoyable, and without trials, if we will just obey Him. Instead, He tells us that we will have trials and that our life will be hard. In fact, He says it will be more difficult then those who haven't been saved! That's why He told people to "count the cost". (Luke 14:28)
Having said, that, the idea that perhaps we've sinned against Him isn't necessarily a thought from our sin nature. it depends on our attitude. If we're thinking that we deserve something better then what we're getting, then it's probably our sin nature. However, if we're instead, examining our self to see if we're in the faith, if there's something we need to repent of (2 Cor 13:5) that is the Holy Spirit and is good. We should often check to be sure we're being obedient and applying God's Word to our life, not just during the hard times, but during good times as well. We don't obey God in order to get a free pass from hardship, but rather, we obey Him because we love Him and He is God.
I think we've all known people who we thought were saved and loved the Lord. Then they went through severe trials and after a while, fell away. They turned away from God because they figured He wasn't holding up His end of the deal. I remember being so shocked the first time I saw this happen. They had seemed to be doing well getting through the trial, strangely though, when the worst of it was finally over, that's when they gave up their faith. Of course, I reminded myself that I had no idea what all had been going on with them and their family emotionally during all of it, but still I was shocked and broken hearted for them. In talking to them it was as though there was a film covering their eyes and they simply couldn't see all that God had done to help them. There was always a "but". Instead, all they could see were the bad things, and how God hadn't fixed things for them quickly enough or in their minds, well enough - their thinking became futile and their hearts were hardened. Sadly it showed they'd been relying on themselves all along, and not on God at all. They knew the right words to say, but those words were only in their heads and not in their hearts, so no change had taken place. (2 Timothy 3:5)
Those who are truly saved, don't fall away no matter how hard things get. I'm not suggesting we don't have the kind of thoughts I mentioned above, we do. That's part of our sin nature and we'll have to deal with that until we get to Heaven. The difference is that we have the power of God working within us so we can get through anything. We can do all things, even get through severe trials and hardships that seem to last forever, through Christ, who gives us strength. (Phil 4:12–13) His Word even tells us how to get through these trials.
We are to persevere just as Jesus did in all things. We are to fix our eyes - our thoughts and desires - on Jesus, the kingdom of God, and the eternal reward He has waiting for us, realizing that everything in this life is only temporary. (Phil 3:13–14; 2 Cor 4:18; Heb 12:2) That means taking thoughts that are contrary to those things captive - to stop thinking them by replacing them with the Truth from God's Word and focusing on that instead. (2 Cor 10:5) Even trials that seem to go on and on should bring us joy because we can know that as we persevere, God is making us mature and complete in our faith. Not only that, but we can also know that it is God Himself who causes us and helps us to persevere, for we can't do it on our own. (Phil 2:13) So when we're going through a hard time and it seems to go on and on, we can rejoice because we now have proof that our faith is real, that we are really saved and children of the Most High God!
“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 1:7)
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:3–6)
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2–4)
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5–11)
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11)
“Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:22)
Thoughts like that often come from either a misunderstanding of God's Word, or false teaching, or just as likely from our sin nature. Our sin nature focuses on self, it's all about "me". It's self centered, and our priority in life is to be happy and have all that we want, when we want it, and that's generally, right now. Our sin nature (and Satan and the world of course) tells us that we're good, that we can do, be, and have, anything we want to if we'll only work at it. But what does God tell us? He says we're sinners and that our very best is nothing but filthy rags compared to Him, a Holy God! (Isaiah 64:6) In all honesty, we "deserve" nothing but Hell. At that point, we generally again think, 'but wait, I'm saved now, and have a new nature, so I don't deserve hell anymore!" Ah, but that new nature was given to us by God, we didn't earn it, and there's no way we could earn it even if we wanted to. Nor do we constantly abide in Christ as He tells us to, and live a sinless life like He did, even though we are saved. Our salvation is a gift, not a right, and certainly not anything we deserve! Nowhere does God tell us that He will make our life here after salvation, pleasant and enjoyable, and without trials, if we will just obey Him. Instead, He tells us that we will have trials and that our life will be hard. In fact, He says it will be more difficult then those who haven't been saved! That's why He told people to "count the cost". (Luke 14:28)
Having said, that, the idea that perhaps we've sinned against Him isn't necessarily a thought from our sin nature. it depends on our attitude. If we're thinking that we deserve something better then what we're getting, then it's probably our sin nature. However, if we're instead, examining our self to see if we're in the faith, if there's something we need to repent of (2 Cor 13:5) that is the Holy Spirit and is good. We should often check to be sure we're being obedient and applying God's Word to our life, not just during the hard times, but during good times as well. We don't obey God in order to get a free pass from hardship, but rather, we obey Him because we love Him and He is God.
I think we've all known people who we thought were saved and loved the Lord. Then they went through severe trials and after a while, fell away. They turned away from God because they figured He wasn't holding up His end of the deal. I remember being so shocked the first time I saw this happen. They had seemed to be doing well getting through the trial, strangely though, when the worst of it was finally over, that's when they gave up their faith. Of course, I reminded myself that I had no idea what all had been going on with them and their family emotionally during all of it, but still I was shocked and broken hearted for them. In talking to them it was as though there was a film covering their eyes and they simply couldn't see all that God had done to help them. There was always a "but". Instead, all they could see were the bad things, and how God hadn't fixed things for them quickly enough or in their minds, well enough - their thinking became futile and their hearts were hardened. Sadly it showed they'd been relying on themselves all along, and not on God at all. They knew the right words to say, but those words were only in their heads and not in their hearts, so no change had taken place. (2 Timothy 3:5)
Those who are truly saved, don't fall away no matter how hard things get. I'm not suggesting we don't have the kind of thoughts I mentioned above, we do. That's part of our sin nature and we'll have to deal with that until we get to Heaven. The difference is that we have the power of God working within us so we can get through anything. We can do all things, even get through severe trials and hardships that seem to last forever, through Christ, who gives us strength. (Phil 4:12–13) His Word even tells us how to get through these trials.
We are to persevere just as Jesus did in all things. We are to fix our eyes - our thoughts and desires - on Jesus, the kingdom of God, and the eternal reward He has waiting for us, realizing that everything in this life is only temporary. (Phil 3:13–14; 2 Cor 4:18; Heb 12:2) That means taking thoughts that are contrary to those things captive - to stop thinking them by replacing them with the Truth from God's Word and focusing on that instead. (2 Cor 10:5) Even trials that seem to go on and on should bring us joy because we can know that as we persevere, God is making us mature and complete in our faith. Not only that, but we can also know that it is God Himself who causes us and helps us to persevere, for we can't do it on our own. (Phil 2:13) So when we're going through a hard time and it seems to go on and on, we can rejoice because we now have proof that our faith is real, that we are really saved and children of the Most High God!
“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 1:7)
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:3–6)
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2–4)
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5–11)
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11)
“Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:22)
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