It’s a mistake for any believer to believe that we would live in this world without challenges. What Jesus promised us is victory in the end, in spite of the numerous challenges. He told us plainly that we would face many challenges in life but went ahead to comfort us to be of good cheer as He has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). This post is a reminder to every believer that though your challenges are numerous, they will not consume you. Though you be struck down, you are never destroyed (2 Cor. 4:9).
Joseph is a typical example of someone who faced many challenges. He was struck down one too many times. However, none of those strikes served as a final defeat. He always got back up again. He went from being thrown into a pit to being sold into slavery, to being falsely accused and eventually imprisoned to be forgotten. But as God assured us that He will never forsake us, Joseph wasn’t forsaken. Eventually, his time for a high and sustained rise came. (Gen. 37-50; Heb. 13:5)
“…yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that has loved us”. Rom. 8:37 AMP
God makes the difference
You may be wondering what the difference between a child of God and an unbeliever is, since we all go through the same difficulty. The difference is God. The difference is His promise to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). The difference is that He always gives us victory (1 Cor. 15:57). He does not let those challenges overwhelm us to the point of destruction.
A good number of interpretations relate James 1:3 to your walk with Jesus. However, I believe it is a valid message for every aspect of our lives. Every challenge of life is a test of your faith. Will you trust God through this setback or will you try to solve it your own way? Will you trust God through the hardship or will you give up and react as unbelievers would? Would you hold on to the promises of God or begin to internalize the lies of the devil?
We constantly face trials that test our faith. And Apostle James tells us to count it all as joy when we go through these things (Jas. 1:2). Not because the trials themselves are entertaining or pleasant to endure. But because those trials produce in us something that cannot be stolen. He said that these trials produce perseverance which produces maturity and completeness in us, such that we lack nothing. In other words, it fine-tunes us and moulds us to be better versions of ourselves.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Jas. 1:2-4 NIV
Are there other ways for this fine-tuning to happen? Yes. Nevertheless, trials are just part of life. Even Jesus went through trials. That is why He can tell us that there are challenges we would face in this world. But we can be content with knowing that He has overcome the world. That is, He has promised us victory alas.
You may be pressured on every side by the rise in the cost of living but be assured that you will never be crushed. And even if you are confused about a way out of that challenge, never despair because God makes ways even when there seems to be no way. You may be persecuted for your choice to stand for Christ, to do things the way that pleases God even when it doesn’t seem to be going well for you but know that you are not abandoned. God is with you every step of the way. God did not abandon Job, or Joseph, He won’t abandon you either. Though you are struck down, you can never be destroyed.
Again, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord (Rom. 8:28). Even when it looks like it is made to be against you, it will eventually work together for your good. This is what God has promised in His word. If we doubt this then we make Him to be liar. He is not one to go back on His word. And the fact that He causes all things to work together for our good doesn’t mean that He orchestrates all these challenges. It means that even what the enemy has meant for evil, He is more than able to turn around for your good (Gen. 50:20).
Every day your faith is tested and challenged. On some days you weaken and fall. On some days you stand gallantly as God would have you do. Here’s what God says: be of good cheer because I have overcome the world –and all that is within it that challenges you.
So, when we are faced with challenges, like David, we must encourage ourselves in the Lord –with the promises of His word. We must recount His faithfulness and unchanging nature. Only then will we be able to remain above the waters that trouble us. Only then can we say we have been struck down but weren’t destroyed.
Faith+blog 