The Gospel is Not a Quick Fix
Well, we're into March, and for some of us, it's already been a pretty tough year. Things have not gone exactly the way we had hoped or planned or dreamed.
Oftentimes, as Christians, we can struggle through times like these, wondering where God is. I think sometimes the church has been guilty of presenting the gospel as a kind of quick fix for life's problems. I even remember a song that we used to sing at church when I was growing up that said, “In his presence, our problems disappear.” And I don't think that's true! If we're presenting our faith as a kind of quick fix for life's problems, we're doing God a disservice, because the Bible is full of people who've realized that life is tough! From the beginning to the end of Scripture people of God learn this lesson: that life is not easy, that it's not all roses, but that life is actually quite difficult.
Finding Comfort Amidst Struggle: Psalm 77 Reflections
Listen to these words of Psalm 77.” I cried out to God for help. I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord. At night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned. I meditated and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing. I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago, and I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked, Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promised failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger, withheld his compassion?”
Now, this is a person of God writing these words of struggle, wrestling with God, trying to figure out why life is as difficult as it is.
Have you been there? Do these words sort of echo in your heart today?
Here's a verse that you might want to hold on to today, John 16:33, says, “In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart,” Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.”
Finding Strength in Overcoming: Embracing Life's Challenges
You will have trouble, Jesus says. Life is not going to be easy. Don't buy into this idea that becoming Christian will just make your life easy. No, you will have trouble. Jesus said. But take heart! Because I have overcome the world.
As you look at your problems and struggles and troubles today, friends, remember that everybody has gone through something similar. Even the deepest Christians have faced times of great distress and sorrow. But the ones who have made it through are those who have said “in this world, I will have trouble, but I'll take heart because Jesus has overcome.”
