What Should We Do When It Gets Hard to Follow God?
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…perseverance…godliness…and…love.
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
Lesson #11 on a Journey to a Water Well
September 2015-June 2016
Have you ever noticed sometimes life gets harder before it gets easier?
Sometimes taking a step of faith ushers in challenges and uncertainties. Life can get harder before it gets better. But it doesn't mean we're on the wrong path. Quite the contrary, we may have finally stumbled upon God's will.
That was our experience after committing to sponsor the water well in September 2015. We were confident of God's plan for the water well and had witnessed God prepare our hearts as He miraculously positioned us to fulfill this need.
But we didn't expect life to get harder.
Before sponsoring the well, they informed us the anticipated cost was more than twice what we initially projected. Within weeks of committing to the well, members of our family experienced an unexpected financial demand, and our investment property needed a significant repair.
Not only did we experience financial strain but also relational strain—relationships strained by sin. Following God meant loving people even when their sins hurt the ones they loved.
Although I begged God for an easy way out, He had other plans.
God offered additional work and an opportunity to sit in relational strain and learn to love difficult people.
Obedience is hard. Saying yes is hard. Living yes is harder.
Joyce Meyer once said, "New level, new devil."
Whenever we step out in faith, we go on the offense for the kingdom of God. So, we shouldn't be surprised when the enemy attacks.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul warns us, "For our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
My problem wasn't the financial or relational strain. It was the enemy and his attempt to discourage, distract, or defeat me.
Removing hardships may make life easier, but it leaves us weak, immature, and ineffective in our walk with Christ. God uses battles to refine us and add to our faith.
"For his 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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, 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." 2 Peter1:5-8
Adding to our faith sounds easy, but it's a painful process. It means choosing to stay in the hard places with God even when the devil tempts you with an easy out.
God uses all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even the hard stuff. And sometimes, God allows us to sit in relational strain to add to our faith or more work to provide for our needs.
Part of moving from unfulfillment to fulfillment, learning to live yes, is learning to obey when it's hard. God's not surprised by the enemy. He knew we would face challenges and be tempted to quit. So, He provided our means to overcome, a shield of faith to protect us from the arrows of discouragement, and a helmet of salvation to safeguard our minds from his lies.
At times, I still find myself sitting in the financial or relational strain as I seek to pursue God and live out His Word. These are the realities of seeking God in a broken world. But now I know we shouldn’t run from hardships. We should run to God. We need to stand firm and allow God to add to our faith while He strips away our flesh.
God may be using a season of trials to test us, grow our perseverance, and produce godliness. We shouldn't let hardships stop us from living the life of peace, passion, purpose, and satisfaction God has for us.
Our journey to the well was a life-changing adventure. By God's grace, we stood firm during the testing season and eventually learned you can't outgive God.
The next time you step out in faith, come to the battle prepared to fight. Don’t run from the hardships. Run to God.
Lesson #11 on a Journey to a Water Well
11. The next time you step out in faith, come to the battle prepared to fight. Don’t run from the hardships. Run to God.
Want more? Start here.
Read Ephesians chapter 6.
Every piece of armor listed in Ephesians 6 is defensive in nature except the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Are you currently on the defense or offense in your walk with Christ?
Which piece of armor do you need to utilize today in your walk with Christ? The belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness, shield of faith, or sword of the Spirit—the Word of God?
Ephesians 6 encourages us to prepare now so when the day of evil comes; we will be able to stand our ground. What do you need to do to prepare for future battles?
How is God asking you to stand firm in your faith?