Life Can Be Hard For A Christian

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV)

You would think that when a person becomes a Christian their life would change not only on the inside, and not just in their actions and reactions, but that the path ahead for them would become smooth and easy. But it does not.

Indeed, very often once we become Christians we have many more problems, old friends do not understand the change in us and may reject us, family members may turn against us, things can become more difficult across relationships. And too often our circumstances grow worse rather than better.

That is not to say God will not bless us, provide for us, and show us His favor in many ways, for He will. But too often what we find is these new resources, the new Spirit within us, the many newfound blessings and fruit of the Spirit, we find ourselves much in need of and putting to use these new gifts.

We need patience, strength, courage, joy, and especially hope as we get bombarded with problems, and sometimes illness and afflictions strike us to our knees, driving us to learn to rely upon the Holy Spirit and word of God to lift and carry us through so many new challenges.

The big difference in our lives when we become Christians is not “smooth sailing” but finding that we have a new Captain to get us through troubled waters, our Lord Jesus. Even the hard times and difficult places in life are better with Jesus, and with Him all troubles are temporary in light of eternity in His presence.

Dear Lord, You have brought us through so much, continue to carry us through and guide us all the way home being kept safe in Your arms. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

copyright 2016