How to Thrive in Difficult Times
No one likes to talk about the hard times in life, but they're a huge part of our human experience we need to be prepared for. Tests and Trials will come no matter who we are until we reach heaven. Therefore, shouldn’t our aim be to pass the tests?
When you were in school, tests were a common and expected occurrence. The teacher uses tests to locate students' understanding of the material they were supposed to learn. If a student fails a test, it is a clear sign to the teacher that something is wrong. Either the student didn't clearly understand the material, or they didn't know how to take the test.
The latter describes me when it came to test taking. I would learn the information but struggle with the tests. I often buckled under the pressure of needing to perform well. You could say I was my own worse enemy. Many times we as Christians have learned a lot about the Bible, but when it comes to using that knowledge, we become stuck and overwhelmed.
As Christians, we should aim for growth and maturity. Tests help us reach the "next level" of maturity in Christ. When we put what we have learned into practice, we develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, deepen our relationship with God, and live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Faith is Your Confirmation
This verse outlines some powerful truths. First of all, everything we do should be in faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things we hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (AMPC).
It says that faith is our confirmation. When you make a hotel reservation, you are given a confirmation number that says you have a room. What happens if you show up at the hotel and they say they don't have a room for you? You better believe you will pull out your confirmation number to prove you have a reserved room. That confirmation gives you confidence and boldness to demand what is yours. Without that confirmation, you aren't guaranteed anything.
We are to approach our circumstances the same way. When something shows up in our life that is contrary to what the Bible says, we can use our faith to demand our rights as a child of God. We can follow Jesus' example in a test or trial and say, "It is written…."
Do you believe God is who He says He is?
The next part of Hebrews 11:6 says, "For he who comes to God must believe that He is." We must be fully convinced that God is who the Bible says He is. If He did miracles in the Bible, He can do miracles for you now. If He could part the Red Sea, He can make a way for you where there seems to be no way.
As I said, you must be fully convinced of God's faithfulness. It is said of Abraham, our father of faith, "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21) Abraham was fully convinced of God's ability and love for Him to work on his behalf. Many times, we can believe that God will do something for someone else, but we lack the confidence that He would do the same for us.
We have to be convinced of God's love for us. When my children reached their teenage years, they were fully convinced of Bryce and my love for them. Because of that, they didn't rebel against our correction because we did it out of love in a way that resulted in growth and maturity. They knew we weren't punishing them "just because" but that there was a deeper motive behind it.
God is love. He's not waiting to beat us over the head when we do something wrong. He uses situations in our lives to grow us – IF we let Him. It's our choice to follow Him through the test or trial or to go our own way. As you can guess, doing things your own way won't pass the test.
God is a Rewarder
We can stand on the precious promise that when we diligently seek to follow God, He will reward us. What is the reward? James 1:2-4 says, "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."
God doesn't want us to lack anything, which means that we need to be tested to produce what we lack. What happens to a child given everything they want without discipline? They are spoiled brats! They have no respect for their parents while demanding more from them. That is not the type of relationship God is after. He loves us too much to leave us half-grown and our minds unrenewed.
Debbie Alsdorf says in her book, The Faith Dare, "Strong and maturing faith fills us up to the fullest measure of joy – as our lives are not as dependent on feelings, people, or circumstances."
If we want to experience the fullest measure of joy, it's a life not dependent on what happens to us but relying on the steadfast love of God. This joy becomes our strength to forge through any obstacle placed before us.
Whatever you are up against right now, know that God is there to guide you through and bring you to the other side stronger and more mature so that you can, in turn, help those around you. God is good. Be fully convinced of His goodness and ability to help you grow so that you may be "perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Don’t Go Alone
The last part of thriving in difficult times is having fellow Christians praying for you and encouraging you on your journey. We need faith friends to come along side us when we’re weak. It would be our honor to stand with you in prayer. Let us know in the comments below or email us at hello@schafferministries.com.