In tough times, turning to Jesus offers a sure path to assistance

Doug Heacock, contemporary worship leader, Lawrence Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave.:

Most of us who live here in the most prosperous nation in the world view hard times as an abnormality, as though something has gone terribly wrong with our lives. But difficulty and hardship are simply facts of life in a fallen world. As Job observed, “… man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). When we read the Psalms, the ancient hymnal of the Hebrews, we find one prayer after another for delivery from hardships, stress, enemies and injustice.

But the Scriptures also tell us of a loving God who sees and understands what we are going through, who promises to be our strength when we have lost hope, and who invites us to come to him in those times. The Jewish king and psalmist David was well-acquainted with hardships, and on one occasion, though he had fled to the desert, fearful for his life, he wrote, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63: 6-8).

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews advises that when the going gets rough, we should look to Jesus: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). And we can take comfort from Jesus himself, who told his followers, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

– Send e-mail to Doug Heacock at doug.heacock@gmail.com.

Difficult times are an unfortunate reality in a fallen world

The Rev. Darrell Brazell, pastor, New Hope Fellowship, 1449 Kasold Drive:

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Difficult times are not a sign of failure or lack of faith but the unfortunate reality of life in a fallen world. Our enemy uses struggles, pain and disappointments as opportunities to whisper lies about the father and our own hearts.

The first thing we must do in painful times is to hold on to him. Unfortunately, this requires standing in the middle of the pain long enough to discover God is enough. It requires facing our fears, speaking our doubts and often wrestling and even arguing with God. Many believe this is a lack of faith. However, the Book of Job is an example of a man who wasn’t content with his friends’ explanation for his pain but instead wrestled, argued with and even accused God of making a mistake when he brought him to life. (Chapter 3)

The result? Was Job consumed by fire or smitten with even greater afflictions? No! God granted him a glimpse of his glory. “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (42:5) Job wrestled until God showed up.

The same is true for you and me. God’s not afraid of a good fight. In fact, I think he kind of enjoys it because he knows when we are fighting with him (instead of complaining about him) there is at least a chance, like Job, we will be ready to see him.

Hard times are never easy, but they are opportunities to encounter a surprising God.

– E-mail Darrell Brazell at darrell@newhopelawrence.com.