Three Ways Jesus Responds to Hard Times

Life is not perfect, and the thing is, we were never guaranteed that life would be. Life is hard and often times we go through struggles, we go through hard times, and we go through pain. For those of you who are going through hard times, I am sorry. I do not/cannot understand your pain but I do know that you do not have to go through your pain alone.

Lately my Pastor preached on how God acts and responds to our tough times. I found it enlightening and comforting, I hope that you do as well.

When someone has gone through/or is going through tough times, watch what you say. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that “God never gives you more than you can handle.” YOU cannot handle life, let alone hard times, without God’s help. So instead of offering immediate advice, just shut up and listen, have compassion for others.                                    – Pastor Matt

John 9, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents sins?” 

“It was not because of his sins or his parent’s sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go was yourself in the pool of Siloam.” So the man went and washed and came back seeing.”

Did you know that the pool of Siloam was hidden for years? Because scholars could not locate the pool, they dismissed this event as only a fabricated story. However, in 2004, the actual pool was located in Jerusalem when utility pipes needed repairing. These stories within the Bible are not just stories, they are true events.

Now, what does this have to do with me and my own hard times?

Jesus will respond to my/your situation in one of three ways:

 1. Jesus will change my/your situation

• This is what most of us pray for during hard times. We pray for a change, we pray that what is wrong will get better. And sometimes, that is the answer to prayer.
• “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.” – James 5:13

2. Jesus will change my/your understanding

• God always answer prayer, even if that is not a yes. Sometimes the answer is no or not yet. God is not a genie to grant wishes, and sometimes that means that we do not get the answer we want. When we don’t get that answer, God is often trying to change our hearts.
• “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Therefore, we must expect difficulty and prepare for tough times. Life is not easy and not everything that hurts is evil and not everything that feels good is godly. Sometimes our suffering is used to bring us to God, to show God’s power, or to teach us how to have compassion for others.

3. Jesus will change my/your direction

• God allows us to hurt physically and emotionally to direct us spiritually.
• “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” I Peter 4:19

 

I believe that God is there for each and every one of us. If you ever want to talk about God, please feel free to ask me questions. I am not an expert, but I am a follower who enjoys talking about my Savior.