WHEN LIFE IS HARD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Life.

1.    It is a gift from God.

2.    Jesus wants us to live life to the fullest (John 10:10b).

 

…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

B.   Life, however, is not always easy.  In fact, it can be down right hard.

1.    Physical health

2.    Mental health

3.    Relationships

4.    Finances

5.    Busy-ness

6.    Sin

7.    Decisions

8.    Work

9.    The world

10. Spirituality

 

C.   How do we deal with life when it is hard?  Let’s consider seven (7) things that can be done when life is hard.

 

I.             CONSIDER THE CAUSES

 

A.   Israel and the battle at Ai.

1.    When Israel crossed the Jordan River, they were successful at Jericho. 

2.    However, when they reached Ai, life got hard.  They lost the initial battle with a small city.

3.    After the battle, Joshua confronted God about the defeat (Josh. 7:7).  God instructed him to investigate the cause (Josh. 7:13).

 

Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow:  for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel:  thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing.

 

4.    The investigation revealed that a man name Achan had taken of the spoils of the city of Jericho which had been forbidden (Josh. 7:18-21, esp. v. 20)

 

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.

 

B.   When we are facing problems and hardships in life, we need to investigate the causes:  sin, indecisiveness, poor decision-making, procrastination, wrong priorities, etc. can all make our lives difficult. 

 

C.   NOTE:  When we investigate and find out there are things we can change to make things better, we can help to solve the hardships of life by changing.

 

II.           CHOOSE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD

 

A.   When life is hard, for some reason, individuals immediately want to blame God.

1.    They blame Him and find no answers to their questions.

2.    They grow angry with God.

3.    Ultimately, they cast off their Christian faith.

 

B.   Casting God away is a foolish thing to do.

1.    He has the power to assist us.

2.    He has answers in His Word.

3.    His providence can bring us to a beautiful ending place.

4.    Our faithfulness will bring us peace and rest even if we endure tribulation to the end of this life.

 

C.   Example:  Job (Job 13:15-16a)

 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:  but I will maintain mine own ways before him.  He also shall be my salvation…

 

III.         CONQUER THE NEGATIVE ATTITUDE AND BITTER FEELINGS

 

A.   Negativity is defined as “habitual skepticism.”

 

B.   Negativity usually begins with simple words:

1.    Why?

2.    Why me?

3.    Not again.

4.    Just my luck.

5.    I’m a victim of Murphy’s Law again.

 

C.   Example:  Job (Job 1:20-21)

 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped.  And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither:  the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

1.    Instead of “Why me?”, we should say:  “Why not me?”

2.    Instead of “Not again,” we should say:  “I can do this.”

3.    Instead of “I’m a victim of Murphy’s Law,” we should say:  “I am once again a student in the University of Hard Knocks.”

 

IV.         CONTEMPLATE THE LESSONS OF HARDSHIPS

 

A.   The title, “The University of Hard Knocks,” is not just a cute name.  It has come about because many individuals have gone to school at this university.  The curriculum is not easy, but often the lessons are indelibly planted in one’s mind.

 

B.   Example:  The apostle Paul

1.    After becoming a Christian, an apostle, and a minister of the gospel of Christ, Paul’s life faced a multitude of hardships (2 Cor. 11:27).

 

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

 

2.    By means of these afflictions, Paul learned many valuable lessons (Phil. 4:11-12).

 

Not that I speak in respect of want:  for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 

C.   Trials teach us such things as contentment, patience, trust, dependence, humility, thankfulness, what is truly significant, the value of time, the value of others, etc.

 

V.           CULTIVATE YOUR CHARACTER

 

A.   We have all seen unique people who have been able to navigate well through some very difficult times.

1.    He is the strongest man I know.

2.    She always remains calm in the storm.

3.    In all of these years, her faith has not wavered.

4.    He now counsels individuals who are going through the trials he suffered.

 

B.   Individuals like this have developed their character in the midst of struggle.

1.    The weak became strong.

2.    The man of faith becomes full of faith.

3.    The dependent becomes a person who prays.

 

C.   Two passages:

1.    Romans 5:3-4

 

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; know that tribulations worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope.

 

a.    Paul begins with an interesting statement:  “But we glory in tribulations.”

b.    Why?  Because they lead to patience, experience, and hope.

2.    James 1:2-4

 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.

 

a.    James commands us to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”

b.    Why?  The trying of faith works patience.  Patience, that is, cheerful and hopeful endurance enables us to become complete, entire, wanting nothing.

 

VI.         CELEBRATE THE COMPANY WE KEEP

 

A.   We are not the first Christians who have had to face adversity and struggles in life.

1.    Jeremiah

a.    Beaten and put in stocks (Jer. 20:1-2)

b.    Let down into a cistern and sank in the mud (Jer. 38:6)

2.    John the Baptist was beheaded (Matt. 14:10).

3.    Jesus

a.    Scourged (John 19:1)

b.    Crucified (Luke 23:33)

4.    Stephen was stoned to death by the Jewish mob (Acts 7:59-60).

5.    Paul suffered all kinds of tribulations (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

B.   When we suffer for the cause of Christ, we are in fellowship with these and other Bible greats.

1.    Matthew 5:12

 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

2.    John 15:20

 

…If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…

 

VII.       CONCENTRATE ON WHAT IS BEYOND

 

A.   Life is short, except when you are suffering.  Then, a few days or weeks can seem like an eternity.

 

B.   Regardless of how much suffering and how long the suffering, we must remember that life is short and there is an eternity that awaits us if we remain faithful.

 

C.   Several passages of Scripture teach us to stay focused on what is beyond in suffering.

1.    Jesus said:  “…for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:12).

2.    Romans 8:18

 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.

 

3.    2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1

 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

 

D.   The suffering ends and rest is granted.

The pain ends and comfort is granted.

Death comes and goes, and eternal life remains.

The tormentors are behind, and Jesus is by our side.

What was only seen by faith now becomes one’ s eternal possession.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Life can be very hard at times. 

 

B.   The key is how we react to the struggles.

1.    We must consider the causes.

2.    We must choose to remain faithful.

3.    We mut conquer the negative and bitter feelings.

4.    We must contemplate the lessons of hardship.

5.    We must cultivate our character.

6.    We must celebrate the company we keep.

7.    We must concentrate on what lies beyond.