The Spectacular Opportunity of Hardship

At the community Lenten Tryst (an inter-church worship service each Wednesday noon in Lent, here in Sterling, CO) Pastor Gene Zeller of Peace Lutheran Church used the words of Thomas Paine to characterize our nation’s current difficulties: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Paine penned those words in 1776 in the first of a series of 16 pamphlets titled “The American Crisis.”

Many consider that our current situation would warrant a similar description.

I, however, choose to see it as a spectacular opportunity.

Christians are given the privilege of seeing our situation as God sees it. The fact is, God has either allowed or designed the circumstances in which we are now living, and His purpose in these trying times is what we must discover and pursue.
That discovery and pursuit is not as difficult as we might imagine. It involves asking God three basic questions in these tough days. The first question is, “God, where are You in these circumstances?”

Sadly, hardly anyone ever listens to God’s Word for the answer. Where is God in trials? Right in the midst of these trials with us. God’s Word says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus promised His disciples, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). In the midst of hardship, God is with His people. Do we pay attention to His presence?

Another question to ask God is this one: “God, what are You doing in this hardship?” While the specifics may vary, one thing you may be sure of: God wants to use the hardship to make you more like Jesus. Indeed, that’s His plan in everything that happens in your life, good or bad. He is intent on producing Christ-like character in you, so that you can live for His glory just as His only-begotten Son did.

The third question to ask God is, “How can I live out the Gospel in this circumstance?” The answer to this one is simple: by giving glory to the Father for salvation! After all the joys and trials of this life are over, there is waiting for us a place of wholly-undeserved splendor, in which we will praise forever the Lamb Who was slain! Hardship demonstrates to Christians the astonishing privilege we have of being heirs to this miraculous promise!

What a spectacular opportunity hardship affords us! Jesus said to His followers, “You are the light of the world . . . people do not light a lamp and put it under a basket . . . In the same way, let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:14). How much more visible is the light when the world is dark, and how much more attractive it is to those in the gloom.

Get your faith out from under the basket! Stop hiding the Gospel as if it were something to be ashamed of. Point to Jesus. Take these circumstances and point to Jesus in them!