Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has well said:
"The Christian way of life is difficult. It is not an easy life. It is too glorious and too wonderful to be easy."
Life is hard. The list of biblical passages which assume that life is hard, would be very, very long. And the more you love, the more painful it gets.
So, here are six reminders to consider as you traverse through this life.
Highlight big takeaway #1 here# 1 - There is no hardship outside of God's sovereign rule (Rom. 8:38-39). There is no difficulty beyond the reach of his grace.
#2 - In difficulty, Christ is there (Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:16-20). You will face disappointment, difficulty and loss, but one thing you'll never have to face is being forsaken by your Heavenly Father.
#3 - Sure, you'll face difficulty. What God is doing is prying open your fingers so you'll let go of your dreams, rest in his comforts and take up his call (1 Pet. 5:6-8)!
#4 - In difficulty and hardship, you don't have to make it on your own. If God intended for you to go it alone, there'd be no need for the work of His Son. God's promise to us is not freedom FROM difficulty, but every grace we need IN difficulty (2 Cor. 12:8-10).
#5 - Paul Washer said, "The most difficult task you will ever have to accomplish as a Christian is to believe that God loves you as much as He says He does.” Your Lord is not absent from your trouble, but in the middle of it, working to produce what is good out of what is difficult. God always finishes what He starts. He never begins a work, but abandons it because of some unforeseen difficulty (Phil. 1:6).
#6 - Maybe the most difficult lesson for us to learn is that God can take care of his own people. Trust in God's care means you don't question his love in times of difficulty, but rather rest in his sovereign, faithful grace (Phil. 4:19).
No matter what difficulty you'll face today, abundant grace has already been given so that you can live as you've been called to live.
