One lie that many Christians believe is that when you accept Jesus as your Savior, life is smooth sailing. However, that is never promised. In fact, it is quite the opposite. So let me ask you: how is your perspective when life seems to be falling apart?
For some, they pull up their bootstraps and do what they need to do to keep moving forward. However, for others, their faith may be shaken and doubt clouds their vision ahead.
Troubles are a part of life, whether you are heading towards it, in the midst of it, or coming out on the other side. There is no sidestepping it; hardship is guaranteed on this side of heaven.
So what do we do as believers when life throws us hard circumstances? Let’s take a look at how Paul challenged not only the Early Church, but Christians today.
5 Promises For Problematic Times
1 | We Have Kingdom Treasure
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV
Trials and tribulations are guaranteed, and so is the power of the one true God.
When you receive the salvation of Jesus Christ, God invests in you the treasure of His Spirit and the Gospel. He desires to demonstrate His power through you. That means everything we do isn’t from our own knowledge and abilities, but through Him alone. His divine intervention and wondrous acts got us to where we are today.
2 | We Are Hard-Pressed On Every Side
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;”
2 Corinthians 4:8, NKJV
Imagine you are in a densely populated crowd. There are so many bodies surrounding you that you can’t move. Your arms are immovable and the only way to go is with the current of those around you.
This is how it can feel when you are hard-pressed. It means to be suffering due to the pressure of your circumstances. However, we aren’t crushed.
But We Are Not Crushed
When you are a follower of Jesus, you always have the ability to move to another place—the Secret Place.
This is where He dwells.
This is where He inhabits the praise of His people.
This is where His abundant peace flows.
And when you are surrounded by troubles on every side, you can rest assured that when you meet Jesus in this Secret Place, you will not be crushed.
3 | We Are Perplexed
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;”
2 Corinthians 4:8, NKJV
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines perplexed as to be filled with uncertainty or full of difficulty. I would even venture to say it can encompass being without resources, or embarrassed about certain situations.
Can you think of a time in your life where you were ashamed?
Have you ever experienced the crippling effect of a lack of provision?
Was there a season where you just didn’t know what to do?
God allows His children to walk through these places so that we have to depend on Him to get us out of it. This is where our faith flourishes and testimony is established.
But We Are Not In Despair
As believers, we now live from a posture of surrender. When we remember to look upward in trying times, we are reinforcing our belief in the One who will work it out.
So why do we continue going through perplexing moments? I believe it’s to deepen our faith. For when we remember the goodness of God in our last troubling circumstance, we can endure our current trial because we know God will come through.
We can put our hope in the God who parted the Red Sea for Moses.
We can put our hope in the God who took the heat out of the flame for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
We can put our hope in the God who delivered Daniel in the lion’s den.
We can put our hope in the God who defeated sin through the resurrection of Christ.
Saints, we are not without hope. Let’s hold to the truth that God is going to work all things for our good.
4 | We Are Persecuted
“Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:9-10, NKJV
Have you ever been criticized, hated on, or talked about? If so, you have been persecuted.
I have learned in my many years of ministry that when people are talking, that means I am headed right where God wants me. (And I would be so bold as to say that it is a sign that you are anointed.)
Don’t worry about what is being said. God will vindicate you. Ignore the fabricated lies because they have already reached God’s ears and He will shut the mouths of those who are dishonest.
But We Are Not Forsaken
Even as our enemies scheme and slander our names, God will never leave us or depart us.
Hebrews 13:5b-6 in the NKJV says, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Church, this is good news! He is with us all the time—in the midst of our valleys and on our mountaintops.
5 | We Are Struck Down
“Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:9-10, NKJV
We are in a spiritual battle and it is the devil’s mission to try and take us out. Sometimes he does things that hurt, but here’s the great news: we may get knocked down, but we will get back up!
But We Are Not Destroyed
While our enemies are out to destroy us, we have the distinct privilege of looking at the end of the story. Be encouraged; we may get knocked down, but in the end, we win!
“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-38, NKJV
Through everything, we are conquerors!
The Promise of Praise
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV
While I know these promises may seem anything but, in the kingdom of heaven, these times are priceless.
Don’t be discouraged by what you can see. Instead, look at what hasn’t happened as though it already has. Don’t wait for the battle to be over, praise Him now.
Blessed be the mighty name of the Lord.
For more on shifting your perspective during times of trouble, check out Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr. ‘s sermon, Proper Perspective During Problematic Times.
