Most people who know me well, or have followed my writing, know that my faith is an integral part of my life. It guides and directs my actions, encourages me in hard times, and leads me to thanksgiving in good times. You know one thing my faith does not give me? An easy life free from adversity and struggle. Wouldn’t it be nice if having faith meant life would move more smoothly? If I have a strong faith and I pursue a meaningful relationship with God, shouldn’t I be protected from hardship, adversity, and dark days? Unfortunately, there is no promise of a life of safety and security when we declare a faith in Jesus. Quite the opposite in fact. In the book of James 1:2, the author practically promises us hardship in life:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ESV.
Catch that? James is encouraging us to be joyful when we face trials. Hmmm. Well, that’s no fun. If following Jesus does not guarantee smooth sailing, what does it give the believer, on this side of heaven? If God isn’t some Santa Claus-like figure, listening to our every wish and whim, ready to provide for our ever want, and removing all struggle from our life, what is He doing for his faithful followers? Is it just about the “afterlife insurance?” No. He is a good father, who knows his kids need to learn some things through experience and struggle. Like any good father, he cries when we cry, and laughs as we learn out loud. Every now and then, if we are in too deep, he might swoop in and rescue us, but mostly, he wants to guide us. He is a partner in our growth and development, wanting to teach us all we are willing to learn. But, to learn we must struggle. Fail at times. Grope for answers. Cry. Grow.
In the midst of the struggle we may mistakenly think we are alone. After all, I’ve asked him to save me from this, and he hasn’t, so does he really love me? Is he even listening to me? The struggle can be so lonely at times, despite my faith I have felt completely alone. I have had to remind myself that He is there, He is listening, and He will fulfill His promises. So, why does it have to be so hard? Tell me, do you rescue your child from their learning opportunities? If a mom swooped in and lifted the infant up the moment she cried during “tummy time,” how strong would the infant grow? If the dad gave the grade one son the word he was sounding out as soon as he paused, when might the son learn to read? God is not going to save us from trials and struggles because in them, we find maturation. In them, He fulfills His promises.
If an easy life isn’t the promise, what is? Scripture is full of promises that all believers can claim for their own lives. He promises to never forsake me (Hebrews 13:6), He tells me that He has good plans for a future for me that is full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11), and He promises that the Holy Spirit will pray for me and work all things for my good if I persevere (Romans 8:25-28). Not only that, God also encourages me that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), so I need to trust God and not myself so He can make a straight pathway for me (Proverbs 3:5-6). Those are just a few of the many promises God has peppered throughout His word; addressing a variety of times and challenges. In His word He speaks to specific people and situations but we also know that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34), meaning if He promises something for one person, He promises it for ALL people. That means when I need encouragement and hope, I can find a word of promise and claim it for my life, my situation.
In addition to scriptural promises, God has also given prophetic promises to me and my family. Time and again we have had people come to us and make a bold statement about our future; quite often not even realizing that their words address an area of struggle, as we have not even shared the struggle with them! Time and again we have had people say encouraging words to us that match perfectly in feeling or meaning the words someone else has spoken to us. These little words of encouragement, whether they come from a believer or not, are treasurers that I reflect on frequently in hard times. They are glimmers of light in the dark, a more personal view of God’s promises for me and my family.
These promises, whether scriptural or prophetic, are what my faith is providing on this side of heaven; they are my your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). It is promises that sustain me.
No matter how hard the struggle, the promise still stands.
Kyla