Difficult Times Require Spiritual Strength
Every believer in Christ faces the same predicament— how to stay strong in difficult times. Living real in Christ carries the demand to live out the reality of who we are as Christians in a world where wars and rumors of wars seem to be the order of the day. Some live in fear every day. Many are discouraged. Others just feel something’s off with the world. Many carry feelings of deep despair and impending doom. Martin Luther said, “Were it not for tribulations, I should not understand the Scripture!” Joni Eareckson Tada concluded, “My own fiery trials were now a little easier to cope with as I saw how I fit in with God’s scheme of things.” Helen Keller stated, “Face your difficulties and acknowledge them but do not let them master you.” Our world is angry. Spiritual battles manifest daily through social, political, ethical, and moral spheres causing anxiety and depression in many hearts, even those who know Jesus Christ, the Giver of peace.
In his letter to the churches in Asia, the Apostle Peter praises God for the living hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 1:3). He goes on to reveal three mandates essential for overcoming difficult circumstances.
Belief in God
Faith in God
Action taken because of God (1 Peter 1:13)
To remain strong in these difficult times, we must sit at the feet of the one true God. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ encourages us saying, Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me (John 14:1). Peace only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, as we grow deeper in that relationship through the spiritual disciplines of worship, devotion, prayer, and Bible study, we become spiritually stronger. The stronger we become, the less troubled we are.
Remember, God knows everything and only He can provide the eternal wisdom we need to live life to the fullest.
His entire essence flows from His holy existence, His everlastingness, and His ability to uphold everything. He is the foundation upon whom we stand. God is faithful and therefore, worthy of our trust in difficult times. He’s our place of safety, a solid foothold on which to stand, and our protection from ever-present danger.
Our faith flows from our communion with God. It is the clarion call to trust Him despite what we see every day around us. Faith requires we lay everything down before the throne knowing He’s able to do abundantly more than we could ask or even dream. (Ephesians 3:20) This is what it means to “set your hope fully on the grace given you.” (1 Peter 1:13)
When Peter exhorts us to “prepare your minds for action,” he points to how our faith is inextricably intertwined with action or obedience. At no point are we to simply sit and observe, believing God will miraculously take care of our fears and consternations. Action is required. Gideon faced the enemy having trusted God fully; but he did so by stepping onto the battlefield with God’s provision of 300 tough and highly trained men. God desires that we trust Him in the same way.
He demands full confidence and faith in His ability to take care of business, but He still insists we take action—on the battlefield, armed and equipped with His provisions.
The next time you find yourself in difficult circumstances, remember where your real strength comes from. It comes from the Lord (Psalm 121).
What action do we need to take now that our knowledge of God matches our faith in God? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you...
Reconstruct
Remove the non-essentials and strengthen what matters for eternity.
Realign
Turn your focus back to Jesus with a grateful heart.
Reestablish
Implement physical and spiritual disciplines to keep you and your faith strong.
Recalibrate
Go to bed earlier. Watch less news. Play more.
Rekindle
Stoke your love and desire for God, His Word, and prayer.
Rest
Lay it all down at the feet of Jesus.
