Accepting Hardship As A Pathway To Peace

God doesn’t lie.  God doesn’t sugar coat the truth.  Fortunately for us, God tells the truth and helps us to get ready for what we will face.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

For some of us when we ran into problems we tried to cover up the discomfort with destructive substances and habits.  We blamed others for our troubles and did whatever we could to avoid seeing and dealing with hardship. 

Doing the right thing often isn’t convenient.  That’s why we lied, cheated, and stole.  We put a vision in our minds of hardship and overwhelming pain and decided we did not want to deal with it, at any cost. 

Jesus offers us a new and better way when we choose to surrender to Him. As we bravely face painful memories, financial difficulties, challenging obsessions, and irritating people, God promises us peace.  How? 

Jesus’ response is, “In me.”  What does He mean? 

Jesus faced hardship in his life on earth and evil and sin brought Him to death on the cross.  However, the good news is that Jesus rose again and overcame those hardships.  His resurrection changes everything for us and now we can live in a broken world and courageously face painful challenges. 

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  1 John 4:4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  , Philippians 4:6-7 

Thank You God, that Your unfailing love is powerful enough to sustain us and help us overcome evil through every circumstance on each and every day of our lives. 

You promise that You will help us stand firm on Your pathway to peace as we accept life’s hardships and continue living settled and secure, even in troubled times.

And so we choose to give our will and our life into Your care again today, trusting Y ou to make all things right as we do and giving us peace – even peace that goes beyond understanding – as we live in You. Amen

So, in whatever hardship we face today, let’s remind ourselves that God is with us and He will take us on a pathway to peace through it.  Be blessed today.