Handling Hardships

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so,

but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

~Romans 5:2b-5

Suffering hardships is necessary for three reasons:

1) They cause in us a need to rely on God.

2) They create an awareness of our state of faith.

3) They instill in us a desire for the Kingdom of God.

I truly believe God allows hard things to produce in us a harvest of perseverance, character, hope, and joy. Hardships challenge us to grow in our faith, to learn about our strengths and weaknesses, to see our need for God, and to use our talents to serve the Lord. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) When hardships come--and if you have a heartbeat they will come--see them as an opportunity to reveal Christ, who can use your hardship to really show Himself in powerful ways.

Trust Him to work through that hardship with you. Rely on Him to work all things out for His good. Hold onto the hope that there is a blessing beyond the struggle. Like a flower bud that pushes through the ground to rise up toward the sun and bloom, use your faith in the same way. Fix your eyes on the Son, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV) He knows what it's like to truly suffer. He knows what you need.

Be strong in the Lord today. He has your hardships in His heavenly hands. He won't let you face them alone and He won't let them be without purpose. His love for you is your hope, and it doesn't disappoint.