Monday, September 25, 2017

Persevering Through Hard Times

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-6 NIV)

“Snowflakes” is a derisive term used to describe young people (mostly) who promote the need for “trigger warnings,”  “safe spaces,” and the curtailing the use of “offensive speech.”  We have some of this on our campus, but not as much as on others.  Regardless of where you might stand on this, there is no doubt that young people, and our nation as a whole, struggle with life when it gets difficult.

As was highlighted during one of our recent staff meetings, students tend to want difficulties to just go away.  They hate difficult times and, when they happen, they want relief immediately.  I believe this is the reason the number one presenting problem at university counseling centers is anxiety.  As a culture, we have moved away from seeing the value of perseverance in the midst of the inevitable difficulties in life toward trying to eliminate the difficulties so we don’t have to suffer.  Many parents do all they can to make life less risky and painful for their children, thinking they are helping their them, but, in reality, what they are doing is depriving them of experiencing the value of perseverance through difficulties.  

It is our natural bent to be risk-adverse.  This is why Jesus stated that to follow Him, we must be willing to “take up our cross,“ a symbol of suffering. And by doing so, the Lord implies there is value in suffering.  

I have referenced passages from both Paul and James that talk of the value of experiencing trials and suffering.  Both say it enhances our character.  In other words, we become better, deeper, and stronger as human beings when we persevere through difficult times rather than looking for an easy way out.  

As I look back over my life, the spiritual growth spurts have come at some of the worst times in my life—a devastating break-up with my girlfriend, the deaths of my parents while a very young man, and being abandoned by my first wife.  In a strange way, that only the Lord can bring about, I am far more spiritually mature because of what I have suffered.  

Today, are you experiencing some difficult times?  If so, don’t seek an escape from them, and do not become overly anxious.  The Lord wants to use these times to mold you into the person He created you to be. Rather than run from them, embrace them as teaching moments from the Lord.  Even though they make us miserable in the moment, persevering through hard times allows us to look back and see the amazing things He has done through them.  What the enemy intends for our harm, the Lord can use for our good. That has definitely been true in my life.  I believe it can for yours as well.

© Jim Musser 2017

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