THE HELP OF GOD IN OUR STRUGGLES
Everyone struggles. Including Christians. Becoming a saved disciple of Jesus Christ does not make you immune from the suffering of this world. God has never promised us that we will not go through extremely difficult times in this world. He has promised to be with us, but He has not promised that trials and tribulations are not going to come. In fact, He said that they definitely will (John 16:33).
Focusing on Christ in your life gives meaning and purpose to everything, including suffering. When we are going through trials, we are reminded of the temporary nature of life. That the things on this earth do not last or give any lasting satisfaction. Therefore, we see our suffering as working for us a far greater glory in heaven than any problem on earth could ever compare with (2 Corinthians 4:17).
It is important to know that God does not turn away from you when you are going through difficult times. It is very common to want to ask why is God far away when we are going through trials. And God understands why we feel that way. The Bible deals with those feelings of despair and isolation. Those times when it seems that God does not care what we are going through.
The reality, however, is that God is with us in the valleys of life. He does not turn away, He draws near. He comes to our aid and help helps us in the problems that we are facing. Jesus came into a world full of suffering and suffered for us. Therefore, we may logically conclude that Christ’s purpose was not to get us out of suffering, but to get into the suffering with us.
Unlike someone who does not believe in Almighty God or entrust themselves to Him, we have someone who is with us in the midst of the storm. Someone who cares and someone who can help us. The peace and help that God gives is real and lasting. It is not a fantasy. In fact, it is only through Christ that we can say that “all things work together for good,” no matter what those things consist of (Rom. 8:28). Our good and God’s glory will be accomplished through the problems of life if we love Jesus.
David knew that God was with him, even though he “walked through the valley of the shadow of death.” He said, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me” (Psa. 23:4).
God is with us. He is always with us and that does not change. But we have to believe His promise. We are not always going to “feel” His presence. There will be times when the road is dark and difficult and we have to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
God is our constant helper. Our “refuge” and a “very present help in times of trouble” (Psa. 46:1). We must allow the problems of life to drive us to His throne to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). No one cares as much about you as God does.
How can He watch you suffer then? The same way He watched His Son suffer. If you read the life of Jesus, especially the last week of His life, you can see that He went through tremendous pain and suffering while calling out to God. God did not remove the suffering, but gave Him the strength that He needed. He will do the same for you and for me.
The Lord is close to those who have a broken heart (Psa. 34:18). There is a “balm in Gilead” (Jer. 8:22) to bring peace and help to us when we need it most. Turn to God and realize that this world and the sufferings in it are temporary.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
