Life is hard, but Christ is our advocate (1 John 2:1), our intercessor who pleads our case to the Father. His example of selflessness, endurance, and trust in God is an example to us: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). Some of their struggles are showcased in Hebrews 11, a chapter that reminds us that, as hard as our lives are, many have it worse.Īs we grow through troubles, we develop the character of Christ-who also struggled much during His time on earth (Isaiah 53:3). Paul and many of the first-century Christians knew how hard life was in ways that most of us never will (2 Corinthians 11:23–29).
As difficult as circumstances may be, Paul called them “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17). When life is hard, it is a reminder that this world is not our final destination. But as obedient children we remain faithful to our assignments until our Father calls for us. Life is hard many times because those who’ve been redeemed and transformed by Jesus Christ live with a deep yearning to go home (2 Corinthians 5:17). We don’t belong here, so it’s only natural that we often feel like aliens and strangers (Hebrews 11:13). We’re not supposed to feel at home in this world. We are ambassadors, here on assignment for our Father, the King of kings (2 Corinthians 5:20). We became citizens of another kingdom the moment God adopted us into His family (John 1:12). Those who belong to Jesus are here on visitor’s passes.
Multiply that by tens of millions, and we start to understand why the world is so messed up and life is so hard.Īnother reason life is so hard is that this is not our final home. The fallout from one sin continues to spread, impacting countless other people who then impact other people, and the legacy goes on. Their families will now grieve the loss for the rest of their lives, and others will be affected by their pain in various ways. One son gets in his car and, under the influence of drugs, ignores a stop sign and slams into a bus, killing six people. The children are so traumatized that they run away, eventually getting involved in drugs and prostitution. His wife suffers a broken nose that will cause her difficulties for the rest of her life. He comes home and beats his wife and children: more sin. Sin has a ripple effect that carries its destruction to others. Sin still affects our world, and life is still hard. Now “the whole creation groans” (Romans 8:22, NAS), and we groan with it. They must now forage, plant, struggle, and reap in order to survive. Food was no longer available everywhere they looked. Thistles sprouted where flower beds had been. As a result of humanity’s disobedience, God cursed the perfect world He had made so that it turned on the man and woman. Perfection was marred, and life became hard. When Adam and Eve chose their own way over God’s, everything changed. They lived in paradise.Įnter sin (Genesis 3). They even had the presence of God with them. The first couple’s relationship was perfect, and they had everything they needed or wanted. When God created the world and placed the first man and woman in it, life was perfect (Genesis 1–2). But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He said, “In this world you will have trouble. Even Jesus agreed that life is hard, but He didn’t stop there. Accidents, disasters, illness, heartache, loss-the ways that the human heart can suffer are myriad. It is harder for some than for others, but we all must cope with being imperfect people in an imperfect world.
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