As Christians, there is one truth, albeit a difficult one, that we must accept: we will always have difficult times in life. Our faith in Jesus does not spare us from trials. Jesus Himself told us, you will have temptations and tribulations (John 16:33).
God knew us in advance even before we were in our mothers’ wombs. It also means that He knows in advance the difficulties we will face. That is why He tells us to remain calm and trusting, He has already planned the solution for us (Isaiah 30:15).
As He is, as we are. If Jesus emerged victorious from these trials, which could not be compared to ours, without a doubt, we too will be victorious.
1- We must cultivate joy and perseverance
Jacques 1:2 (FMAR) : « Mes frères, regardez comme un sujet d’une parfaite joie quand vous serez exposés à diverses épreuves. »
The first thing that can help us face our challenges is to rejoice. Joy isn’t just a feeling, it’s a decision we make every day. It is very easy to be happy when everything is going well, but the perfect joy described by the Apostle James is one that does not depend on circumstances.
The Gentiles cannot rejoice at all times, because they lack something: Jesus. But we, who are children of God, have received a joy that surpasses all human intelligence. God has already given it to us, it is up to us to decide to stay there.
Psaumes 97:12 (PDV2017) : « Vous qui obéissez au Seigneur, réjouissez-vous à cause de lui ! Sing His praise as you remember His most holy name! »
Then we need perseverance, endurance. We must stand firm and believe what God’s word says. The Israelites stayed 40 years in the wilderness because they did not want to persevere. Yet Daniel was able to stand firm and face his difficulties while remaining attached to God.
This is exactly what we need—this ability not to flinch, not to be overcome by discouragement, to refuse disbelief in our hearts, and to continue to lean on Heavenly Father, even when we see nothing on the horizon.
Jacques 1:3-4 (PDV2017) : «Vous le savez, si votre foi reste solide dans les difficultés, celles-ci vous rendent plus résistants. You have to resist to the end, then you will be really perfect and you will not lack anything.”
This perseverance is produced by the trial we go through, only when we keep the faith. Take the example of the people of Israel, they did not have faith in the wilderness when they found themselves without water, they gave way to unbelief that led them away from God. But Daniel had faith that God would act on his behalf when he was in the lions’ den. This faith allowed him to endure his difficulty.
Perseverance in trial leads us to spiritual maturity, since it works our character and produces resilience in us; This ability to endure hardships, intense stress and to pull oneself together despite difficulties.
I recognize that it is not always easy to persevere. However, we can ask God to help us in our weaknesses.
Jacques 1:5 (PDV2017) : « Si quelqu’un parmi vous manque de sagesse, il doit la demander à Dieu, et Dieu lui donnera cette sagesse. Indeed, God gives to all generously, without reproach. »
2-Go and recharge your batteries in the presence of God
When the disciples were in the boat, the wind began to blow very strongly. They were afraid of the storm, but afterwards they remembered that Jesus was with them in the boat and had the power to calm the storm. It’s sad, but very often when we see the storm, we don’t call on God to calm the storm. We totally ignore Him and seek to solve everything on our own. Some fall into extremes, to the point of turning away from God: “But if God really exists, why all these problems? Why this disease? »
Esaïe 30:15 (PDV2017) : « Voici la parole du Seigneur, le Dieu saint d’Israël : Vous serez sauvés seulement en vous tournant vers moi et en restant calmes. Your only strength is to stay calm and put your trust in me. But you don’t want to. »
Jesus promised us something that is far more valuable than the solution to our problems: peace. When we face difficulties, we must seek His presence more than ever.
Our first reflex should not be to seek the “why” at all costs, but to seek help from the One who has the capacity to deliver us. Thus we show God that He is above our problems.
