Biblical Perspectives in Everyday Life
A familiar Bible verse of encouragement is Galatians 6:9, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” I know that is true. A similar perspective is expressed in an old saying, “The darkest hour is just before dawn.” I don’t know if that saying is scientifically true, but it is often true emotionally and spiritually. Situations that are out of our control frequently seem like there is no possible resolution and are at their worst…just before they begin to turn around.
Both the verse and the old saying emphasize the value of not giving up in significant pursuits, even though results seem to be slow in coming. Nowadays, it almost seems normal for people to quit or head another direction—to just give up—when they don’t see the results they hoped for in the time they expected. Fewer and fewer believers seem to be aware of the importance of persevering in spiritual matters.
Most of us recognize the importance of persevering in physical matters. For example, I’m not a runner, but I hear runners talk about hitting “the wall.” This is the moment when they feel like they can’t take another step, and the urge to give up can be overwhelming. But somehow, if they keep going, they break through and find the strength to continue. I’m not a runner but I do walk for exercise. I know that about 20 minutes out, my arthritic back is painful, my feet hurt, and I can’t believe I am so tired. But, as I continue, I’m amazed that after 30 minutes, I feel like I could go on. By 40 minutes, I’m feeling really good, though tired, and am glad I didn’t listen to my whining body. I have learned the value of pressing through the “fatigue” at 20 minutes and not giving up when my body tells me how great it would be to STOP.
In physical situations, such as a daily walk, results are easy to see. In our walk with Christ, however, results may not be seen right away. For example, we often want God to “answer our prayers” and make things better according to our desires and timing. And when He doesn’t answer in the way we expect, we can be tempted to think, “Why try?” or “Why bother?” Some may use the ever handy-for-Christians response to discomfort, “This must not be God’s will for me.” A popular and dangerous belief is “God wants us to be happy,” which, of course, is based on what we think will make us happy.
Believers should never have trials that last for more than a couple days or weeks, much less months or years…but is that really God’s plan? Time runs its course to God’s throne. Days, weeks, months and years mean nothing to Him. What does mean something to Him is the character of the ones He loves, we who are in Christ!
God knows just how much time believers need to get to the place where we know that we need Him, we know we are completely dependent on Him, and we live that way whether or not we see an end in sight. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, “…we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
The process described by the Apostle Paul takes TIME, and it’s not up to any of us believers to determine when “enough is enough.” Many times we choose to give up at the first, or at least second, sign of discomfort rather than waiting to see what God is working out on our behalf for His glory.
He has proven Himself to be trustworthy in the past—over and over again—so we learn to trust in the present, anticipating His faithfulness in the future.
Andrae Crouch said this in one of my favorite songs, Through It All: 1
I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys,
Through It All – Andrae Crouch
And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through.
For if I’d never had a problem, I’d never know that God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in His Word could do.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
When we put time limits on God’s answers, we don’t know what limitations we are putting on our own future joy. We have no idea what God will do, and can’t even imagine what He can do, so we learn to trust Him to do it in His own good time. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that He “…is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
I may think that the answer I want would be best provided a week from Saturday. On the other hand, if I will just keep trusting Him and His timing (perhaps even 5 years or more from Saturday) and stop struggling against Him, I will be closer to becoming the person God is molding me to be. As a result, He will have done beyond all that I have asked or even could have thought to ask. But, I can’t just stop or go my own way and expect the best results. In fact, my trying to hurry things along may actually take LONGER in the end. Going my way in my time will wear me out, while simply standing firm and trusting Him will make me strong.
When we trust Him—trust that He thoroughly knows us and knows how much we can bear and how long we can bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13)—we can rejoice in tribulation, because we know that He does all things well (Romans 8:28). For, He doesn’t ask us to walk through the fire alone; He has gone before us and will be with us (Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 6:10)! He doesn’t ask us to bear our burdens alone; He calls us to cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:6-7)! He doesn’t ask us to be strong without giving us the strength we need (Isaiah 41:10)! He tells to ask for wisdom, to trust Him (James 1:2-5), and to wait for Him to gain strength.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,
Isaiah 40:29-31
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Keep waiting…keep walking with Him…keep looking to Jesus…keep trusting His way and His timing. You WILL reap at the right time, if you don’t lose heart and give up!
For further study on this topic, see also: God’s Purposes in His Children’s Trials
VERSES REFERENCED IN THIS STUDY
1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Romans 8:28, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:38-39, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
1 Peter 5:6-7, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Isaiah 41:10, Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
James 1:2-5, Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1 Through It All, by Andrae Crouch, 1971 (renewed 1999) Manna Music, Inc. (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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Don’t Lose Heart © 2010 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net 2 Verses Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.