Life's Challenges
We all go through challenging or awkward times in our lives. It's not easy staying positive when we run into daily trials and tribulations. God allows this to happen to us, and others, to encourage faith, which allows for our spiritual growth.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
The devil uses spiritual warfare to drive us away from God. But when the Holy Spirit is with you, you can then lean on God's word. After all, the Lord, your God, has brought you this far. When you serve God, He will help you with overcoming obstacles. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Be strong and courageous. Count it as joy because you can put your faith in God. You will learn more from overcoming struggles than during times of comfort and joy.
In this Bible study, we will examine encouraging Scriptures to have faith in hard times. Let these powerful Bible verses help you keep a positive attitude during times of your personal trial(s).
1 John 5:5 Who is He that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
Psalms 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Yet, life can be really tough. Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
The book of Hebrews inspires us to hold on and never give up!
Even if we have the luxury of being retired, daily things we must accomplish can overwhelm us, let alone carving out some fun time. Conditional requirements seem to burden us day in and day out. Emotions and fears can overwhelm us and doubts frequently swamp our thoughts and outlook. No wonder setting in the recliner or napping on the sofa is so, so appealing?
Within the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament books, Hebrews is included after Romans among the books written by the apostle Paul. This is interpreted as evidence that Paul had written it. Some Eastern churches accepted Hebrews as canonical earlier than Western Churches. With so many distractions grabbing our attention and diverting our focus, it is easy to feel unsuccessful. I think Paul underwent those feelings as well.
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. Anyone who has walked through the fires of life, the valleys of hardship, the daily struggles, and persevered should testify that our eyes must stay focused on the only One who is our hope, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Sometimes our hope, and ultimately our faith is all we can cling to when we lose a loved one or suffer a similar tragedy. Not because our grasp is so strong, but because He who promised all to us will faithfully hold and protect us.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Holding On
From Hebrews 10:23-25, we read, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting (cheering or inspiring) one another, and so much the more as our day of judgment is approaching.” Yes, judgment day is closer and closer each day.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
The writing here in Hebrews is in an active, present tense command. When life overpowers us, we tend to take a passive approach. Some just want to sit and wish for circumstances or events to change. Yet, there is nothing passive about Hebrews 10:23. It says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Other Bible translations tell us to hold strong, unswervingly, tightly, or with a firm grip. Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee where ever thou goes. 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
To Hold On is a Choice
Do you remember childhood times of vacations and fun with family or some friends? Once in a while, things can go wrong. Before I could swim, I was always willing to go wading in a clear, gravel-bottomed creek, or on the muddy bottom of the Ohio river down in Southern Illinois. Once, I wadded father out than mom and dad wanted me to go. I vividly recall stepping into a deep, round hole. Remember, this was before I learned to swim. Sinking way over my head, I survived by expelling all the used air in my lungs, descending to the bottom, then thrusting upwards to gulp a bobbing breath of air and some river water. Then, as I sank once again, I repeated the process.
At the top of each desperate lunge, I'd yell, “Help me Ma!” This went on for several cycles as my parents knew the water was shallow there, but were not aware that a big dredge had scooped out pockets of river bottom sand. I can remember yelling for help time after time and wondering why no one came to my rescue?
Most of all, I remember my father's strong arm grabbing my shoulder to pull me safely out of the hole.
When dad grabbed me, I remember latching onto him as well. I latched on tightly because he was my only hope of not drowning. Rest assured, there was nothing passive about my desire to be alive past that scary moment. I made a choice to hold on to the one human who saved me. But was it my father or my Father?
When life tries to submerges or overwhelms us, we have to make choices! We can let the waves of living crash over us time and time again, or we can actively hold fast and strong and place our faith, even firmer, in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wadding out too far was my temptation at the age of three or four. Thank God a fatherly hand was there to make sure I was saved.
Unite and Hold On
Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Yet, sometimes, holding on is hard to do individually. We don’t want to be defeated. But sometimes we feel we cannot fight life, or life's temptations all by ourselves anymore. It’s difficult to do without giving up.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. We know God is faithful, we trust in His promises, but our problems sometimes seem insurmountable. Even as we look to God, we should look to help and support each other.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. God knew there would be days, months, and even years like that. That is why He never intended for us to walk our journeys alone.
Hebrews 10:24 really offers a great solution. It says, let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. I read this verse in several other translations yesterday to get a more diverse understanding. Three other Bible versions of the same verse reads this way:
Good News Translation: Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.
Common English Bible: And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds.
Easy-to-Read-Version: We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works.
God has placed us here on earth for Him and for one another to support each other. Galatians 6:2 reads, carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. John 15:12-13 says, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
We need each other. Hebrews contains a directive to support each other’s lives. It says to be concerned about one another in order to promote, inspire, motivate, provoke, and help each other to love and to encourage good works.
My translation would be that sometimes we all just need a little more get-up and go regarding helping and supporting others. We need a reminder to keep a focus on our Savior instead of our circumstances. We need a gentle shove, or a swift kick in the pants to motivate ourselves to tighten our grip of faith on the One who is faithful.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. We need not be afraid to get dirty and roll up our sleeves to help others. We don't have to wallow in sufferings or filth, we can help each other get onto higher ground. But, sometimes, we need others to climb in the pit with us, offering a hand up and a boost ourselves.
Can you think back to times in your own life when a friend came along for you? Hebrews 10 is full of reminders that we need to do the same for others. Yes, life is sometimes tough. It is essential to surround ourselves with those who will help encourage, inspire, and motivate us to keep on holding on.
It is not by chance or a mishap that Hebrews 10:25 commands us to encourage one another. It says, this is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing because we need each other!
And that happens in times of trouble. Some people are like turtles, they pull into their shells. Some from embarrassment, some from lack of courage.
When in fact, we should come together even more often, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate the dawning day of our Lord.
Whether life is in the pits, or when life is all roses, let’s not forsake gathering together with other believers. You and I need each other in the good times, crummy times, or in times of celebrations.
Trials and tribulations are inevitable. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Maybe you've heard it said that we are either going into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Yes, rain is going to fall and storms of trouble in our life are going to affect us. Do not forget to hold on tightly to Jesus. Be concerned about others. Encourage others to stay the course. Surround yourselves with God’s people.
Chances are, they have either been where you are or traveled down a similar path as you are on. Walk together. Spur one another on. His reappearance is approaching.
God doesn’t just give us promises, He gives us each other to lean on.
Remember the days when you first learned the truth and experienced your first major hardship. You had to struggle hard to get past the suffering. But you persevered You moved onward. Sometimes people may have said hateful things to you and maltreated you in public.
And, hopefully, sometimes you stepped up to help others who were being treated that same way. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Have you helped those in prison and shared in their sufferings? Have you offered to pick up groceries for the elderly person two doors down the block? Do you support elementary school activities even though your children are grown? Have you offered to teach Bible studies at your local Church?
Could you be happy if everything you owned was taken away? You should continue to be happy because you know that you have something much better promised—something that will continue forever. So never lose the courage you summoned up in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly, but we must be patient. After we have done what God wants, we will get what he has promised.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Does anyone care to share any trouble you went through or to share a time when you felt all alone? To whom did you turn? Who is someone in your life right now that you can reach out towards them and help them hold on to Christ? How do we do that after we've been rebuked previously?
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
When we have trouble(s), we should strengthen our faith, and persevere. Possibly, the best closing verse for this essay of overcoming troubles and holding on is 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
