Life is Hard

Let’s face it. Life sucks sometimes… The Bible likes to call the lame times “trials” or adversity, affliction, temptation, pain… I think we have all been there. I can speak for myself I have been there, I am there… Most of my misery is self-made misery which is way more frustrating because I know better. But there are certain things that we deal with that are not purposeful because the world is a hard place to live in. Sin is in the world because of this there is pain, jealousy and strife. There is really no way around it.

1 Peter 1:3-9 plays out like this.
(1) We are blessed because God has chosen us to be born again and when all is said and done we will rise again with Christ in the end times (2) Why? In order to rid ourselves of these slowly decaying decrepit bodies filled with pain and sorrow and replace them with new *heavenly* bodies that will never wear out, grow weak or feel pain (3) Who? Those who have put their faith in Christ.

Okay… so what does this have to do with trials? Well because of (1,2,3) up there we have something, something that is KEY to facing trials. We as Christians, who have this promised laid out above to hold onto have *drum roll please* HOPE!!! bum bum bum!!! We have hope which can pull us through the darkest of times. That proverbial light at the end of the tunnel…

Anyways. Peter says “if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.” Implying some of the stuff we go through is necessary. That doesn’t make it fun, but it does make it good. How could it possibly be necessary? It goes with the old mantra “whatever doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” Essentially when we are faced with trials we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, have the ability to push through, persevere and overcome these trials. Think Philippians 4:13. In doing so, Peter goes on to say, our faith is proven to be “more precious than gold.” We grow stronger in integrity, virtue, faith, consistancy, hope, love, compassion, etc etc etc.

I realize this is far from consolation to someone deep in the midst of depression, but it is good to know that even our darkest times can have holy and everlasting implications if we allow God to work through His Word, through prayer, through Godly wisdom and council, through the love of family and friends His truth can be spoken to us.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

God’s methods won’t always feel good, or even right at times, but I know they are good.

<3 Bryce