The Gift Of Hardship
There is a certain insanity in being upset over hardships (2 Tim 4:5, NEB) because both prosperity and hardships ultimately come from the Lord (Eccl 7:14, LB). When we handle difficulties as God intended, our character becomes more Christ-like. Sane thinking requires us to accept the inevitability of difficult times in this present evil age (Mt 18:7, Message). Such times are even more necessary for those who would enter God’s kingdom (Acts 14:22). Difficulties purify and strengthen us (Dan 11:35, NCV). They are part of a soldier’s life – and every Christian is a soldier in God’s army (2 Tim 2:3, TCNT).
How, then, should we handle hardship? By being thankful (Eph 5:20) instead of complaining about them (Num 11:1, AB); by knowing God provides a way out of or through difficulties (2 Cor 4:8, BB); by seeing the opportunities afforded by hardships (Jas 1:2-4, Wuest), and by praying and persevering (Col 1:11, Phillips). Like Jabez, we seek to avoid unnecessary hardship (1 Chron 4:10). Yet, we ought to embrace necessary tough times as the gift God intends them to be.
God’s desire is to bless us with more: one blessing after another as we show good stewardship in the blessing we just received (Jn 1:16). He tests us with hardships so He can safely give us further blessings (Dt 8:16, TEV). We all sometimes misuse the various gifts He has given us. For the believer, this will result in God disciplining us; for the unbeliever, their poor stewardship will eventually result in condemnation (Heb 12:6-8). Let us remember that “the blessing of the Old Testament is material prosperity; the blessing of the New Testament is adversity” (Francis Bacon).
If we love, we will do our duty and, thus, be successful in God’s view.