Category Archives: Perspective in Hardships

Sometimes when we compare ourselves and come up short, we may do things to protect ourselves from coming under ridicule or feeling bad about ourselves. As seen in previous posts, we may get into self-striving to become better or self-exaltation to appear better. We may put up walls, particularly when we’ve been hurt and don’t want it to happen again. We seek to protect ourselves from further harm and hurt. But, what does the Bible say about self-protectiveness?

The Bible Warns Against Self-Protectiveness

We can find at least four biblical reasons trying to protect ourselves isn’t the best course of action, no matter how hurt we’ve been.

1. Self-protective measures aren’t necessary when we have a God who is for us. This doesn’t mean bad things will never happen to us, but they will always have a greater purpose than harming us.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Rom. 8:31-35)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

2. Building walls around ourselves goes against one of God’s purposes in sending Jesus to die. Walls separate us from God and others. God, however, sent Jesus so we can be in fellowship, not just with Him but with one another. Who are we to erect walls Jesus died to break down?

… For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. (Eph. 2:11-16)

3. It’s foolishness to think we’re strong enough to take care of ourselves, especially when we have a God who is fully able.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Ps. 33:17-19)

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Ps. 127:1)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28)

4. It’s foolishness for us to think we’re wise enough to know how to best bring about justice. God wants us to leave vengeance to Him, not to take matters into our own hands, which is where self-protective measures may take us. He has the wisdom to do what is right.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. … (Rom. 12:19-21)

Scripture Encourages Us to Trust God Instead

We can trust God rather than seek to protect ourselves because He promises to be our …

Consider these truths about God’s protection:

• He’s powerful enough to protect us from anyone or anything. If He could create all things out of nothing, certainly He can take care of that which He created.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:1-2)

• He’s so wise He always knows what’s best.

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (Ps. 18:30)

• He’s fully reliable to care for us.

He who watches over you will not slumber. (Ps. 121:3)

Rather Than Put Protective Walls Around Ourselves, Let’s Do This

Remember, there’s a spiritual battle waging around your soul that no amount of self-protection will overcome. Jesus prayed for our protection from the evil one (Jn. 17:15). Jesus is the overcomer (Jn. 16:33). — “… be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God …” (Eph. 6:10-18)

Keep your eyes on what you have in Him rather than your circumstances, troubles, hurts, etc. We can learn to be content, and live the life God intends for us because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:11-13). In Him, we can have peace, no matter what (Phil. 4:6-7; Jn. 16:33). His peace will guard our hearts even when our circumstances don’t change.

Call on the name of the Lord when feeling vulnerable. Jesus prayed for our protection by the power of His name (Jn. 17:11-12).

We can face all sorts of issues at work, church, and in the home. Some may be the consequences of our own choices while other issues may be the result of what someone else did. Nonetheless, we may have to deal with the fallout, which can still be stressful and anxiety producing.

What to Do When Facing Issues

Let’s remember God’s ability and desire to help us and turn to Him first and foremost.

Here’s the reason:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7)

Notice the results when taking our issues to the Lord:

1) We find peace in the midst of our circumstances.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. (Phil. 4:6-7)

2) He makes a way for us to navigate whatever we’re facing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

An Approach to Working Through Issues

The approach taken in a training resource for Bible teachers facing specific discipline issues could be helpful for other kinds of situations as well. For each of the 56 issues covered in that resource, teachers look at the challenge, cause, corrective and circumventive measures. Read on and you’ll see how this approach could apply to other types of issues. Remember to first and foremost turn to the Lord. Note how He needs to be part of each step to experience the above-mentioned results.

Challenge: What is really happening and what effects is it having?

This is a good starting point. We must be real. We can’t live in denial. Neither should we obsess or exaggerate what’s happening. Rather, let’s lay it out before the Lord, much like King Hezekiah did upon receiving a threatening letter from the enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19). Philippians 4:6-7 says “in everything” to present our requests to the Lord. That implies we get specific in laying it out before the Lord. ‘Here’s what’s happening. Here are the effects it’s having. We / I need your help, Lord.’

Cause: What brought on this issue?

Understanding why something has become an issue can help us know how to resolve it. As we lay out the issue before the Lord, we ask Him to show us what part we might have in the situation and what we should do about it. We can pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

Corrective Measure: Based on the cause, what steps should be taken?

We can’t merely sit around analyzing the situation. We must act before the problem worsens, but it needs to be the right steps. More problems have escalated out of control in the church, home, and workplace because the wrong corrective measures were taken. Though possibly filled with good intentions, people misunderstood the real issue or assumed they knew. Let’s be sure to ask God for help understanding. We have two means of obtaining the wisdom we need: 1) God’s Word because it “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); 2) Prayer because we have the promise that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all” (James 1:5)

Circumventive Measure: How might this issue be prevented from becoming a problem?

Learning from what has happened helps prevent it from happening again. We should want to get beyond merely applying a temporary fix. Think of Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery. He extended forgiveness but also told her to “go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11).

Obviously many issues require more than a straight line or 1-2-3-4 step approach. Application of the verses with which this post began must infiltrate every phase of working through issues. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He’ll give us peace as He straightens our path. Let’s not overestimate our own abilities to deal with life.

Have you ever noticed how we as Christians makes excuses for ourselves for having bad attitudes, negative thinking, and ungodly reactions?

I don’t feel good.
I’m under a lot of stress.
I’ve been hurt real bad.
I’m tired.

Yes. We feel pain and disappointment. We face struggles and obstacles in our way. We don’t always get treated the way we should. While we shouldn’t deny the reality of how we feel and what we have experienced, does that excuse us from demonstrating God’s love to those around us by lashing out at them or making their lives miserable? Does that excuse us from walking the walk?

No Loopholes in Scripture for When It Hurts

Read through Scripture and you’ll find verses like the following:

And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (2 Tim. 2:24)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Phil. 4:4-5)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rather rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

Somehow we think we are the exception, that our situation is different. Scripture, however, makes no distinctions. We are to walk the walk even when it hurts because we have help for when it hurts. God knows what we’ll face in life and provides what we need to rise above.

• God knows we’ll have situations in life causing us to hurt and grieve so He provides comfort.
• God knows we’ll have stressful and anxiety-producing circumstances so He provides peace.
• God knows we’ll have sorrow and sadness in life so He provides joy.
• God knows we’ll have plenty of temptations so He provides grace to overcome.
• God knows we’ll have troubles of various sorts so He provides hope of a better day.

A Biblical Example of Walking the Walk Even When It Hurts

King David of the Old Testament was no stranger to suffering. Read through the Psalms and you’ll notice his candor in talking about his feelings but then it’s like as though he would catch himself and say “Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 42:11). He had a keen awareness of what God offers to those who hurt.

David penned the words,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Ps. 23:4)

The entire Psalm 23 forms the basis for the devotional Bible study guide titled, Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts. As you work through the devotions, you’ll encounter a realistic view of struggles and hardships, the valleys of life, yet encouragement that it is possible to rise above.

Jesus not only speaks about trouble in this world but also presents hope for both the future and for right now. Let’s take a look at what Jesus said.

Jesus presents a realistic view of trouble.

He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” (Jn. 16:33)

Jesus told the Father, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (Jn. 17:15)

Jesus presents hope in the midst of trouble that should minister to our inner being.

He said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

He also said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)

Jesus presents a better future that should affect how we handle trouble today in this world.

He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:1-2)

Praise God a better day is coming!

Order the Heaven Sounds Good About Now Discussion Guide for personal study, your small group, or adult Sunday School class. These studies challenge us to live NOW like we really believe what Jesus said. When we do, though trouble surrounds us, it can be well in our souls. Why? Because we are trusting in Him. Heaven is more than a future home! It is a hope that affects us now, in our present reality!

Heaven does sound good about now!

Click on the links below to go to resources on types of trouble we may face in this world:

Crime & Violence
Natural Disasters
Persecution
Sickness & Disease
Terrorism
War

In times of pain and loss, we most need comfort, peace, and hope. Yes, we might want tangible help, healing, and restoration but that doesn’t always happen right away. We need that which will help us walk through the valleys of life no matter how long it might take.

Check out the Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts Devotional for thirty devotions from Psalm 23 pointing to the Lord as your Shepherd who provides what you need to make it through even the shadow of death.

Sources of Help for When We Hurt

We can try to pull ourselves together but sometimes we are so emotionally wrung out, mentally exhausted, or physically depleted that we have little reserve to pull on. Perspective can become skewed when we hurt and we could lose all sense of hope.

We can wait for our circumstances to change but sometimes life gets worse rather than better or the change isn’t as we thought it should be. Prospects of a better life can allude us and so we become more anxious rather than finding a sense of peace and contentment.

We can expect other people to come to our rescue but sometimes they seem blind to our pain or fail to consistently show the compassion and understanding we need. Problems can be compounded by additional hurts from people we thought would be there for us and so we lack any sense of comfort.

Ultimate Source of Help for When We Hurt

We can’t rely on self, circumstances, or others. But, there is One who can give us what we truly need when we hurt — God, who is the God of all comfort, peace, and hope.

God of Comfort:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Even when we find comfort from other people, it’s because of God. He is the ultimate source of comfort. God designed the Body of Christ to be there for one another in both the ups and downs of life, the joys and the sorrows. But, the Church is composed of imperfect human beings incapable of consistently showing unfailing love and compassion. Only God can be counted on at all times and in all circumstances. Let Him use other people through your grief and pain, but put your trust and ultimate reliance in Him for the comfort you need.

God of Peace:

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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-9)

We can’t dwell on our negative circumstances and expect to have peace. We won’t feel good when we dwell on the bad. When, however, we turn to the Lord who is good and works for our good, we can find rest for our souls in Him even when circumstances remain unchanged for He is the God of peace.

God of Hope:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

When we come to the realization that we can’t fix what’s wrong in this world, albeit even in our own lives, but that there is Someone who can and will one day right the wrongs, we can experience hope. We can believe God’s good purposes will prevail no matter what happens.

Persevering in our suffering lets us experience God in a way we otherwise would not know. It puts us in touch with the God of all comfort, peace, and hope — who is sufficient to help us when we hurt.

Have you ever cried out to the Lord with feelings similar to the Psalmist?

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. (Ps. 69:1-3)

By the time we get down to verse 30 of that Psalm, after rehearsing and assessing of his circumstances, we find him rising above in praise and thanksgiving.

How Can We Rise Above Our Circumstances?

1. Perspective about this life helps us adjust expectations.

After speaking about how others mistreated him, we come to the “but” —

“But I pray to you, LORD” (v. 13).

He doesn’t deny the reality of what’s happening. Nor does he blame God or express that he shouldn’t have to experience these things. Rather, He turns to God.

When we get the attitude that we should be the exception to troubles in this world, that we shouldn’t have to suffer, that we’re entitled to a good life, then we’re bound to grumbling and complaining. However, when we acknowledge the truth as Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33) and find the “but”, then we can have peace and rise above. — Immediately following His reality check about the difficulties of life, Jesus says “BUT take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• To Read: Too Hard to Make It Through Life Without Peace – Realistic Expectations

2. Promises based on the character of God help us regain hope.

If we read through the entire Psalm 69 we notice hope beginning to take hold as the Psalmist speaks of God’s “sure salvation” or deliverance (v. 13, 29). He remembered how the Lord “hears the needy” (v. 33). He trusts God to answer him, to keep His promises, out of the goodness of His love and great mercy (v. 16).

We too, in Christ, hold on to many promises that grow out of the character of God and let us know we can be overcomers (1 Jn. 5:4-5). In this we can find hope in the midst of great difficulties when we believe that the One in us is greater than any other (1 Jn. 4:4).

To Read:

• God, Greater Than All Other Forces
• God, Greater Than All That Pertains to You

3. Purpose founded in who we are in Him helps us look at the bigger picture.

In Psalm 69 we see the Psalmist go from what was happening to him personally to how God is there for all the poor and needy (v. 32-33), and then a call for the “heaven and earth” to praise God, even “the seas and all that move in them” (v. 34). He was able to move beyond his own troubles and needs because he knew what he experienced wasn’t the end of the story. As a Jew, the Psalmist knew God had a plan for His people, a future restoration (v. 35-36), which in itself was cause to rise above the muck and mire of this life.

As Christians, we know God has a future plan for us, a home in glory with Him where there will be no more suffering, no more tears. And so, we learn to set our “minds on things above, not on earthly things”, to view life from our position in Him (Col. 3:1-2).

• To Study: Heaven: Sounds Good About Now Bible Study Discussion Guides
  (This discussion guide is intended to be used as a group study but can also be used by individuals.)

With a realistic perspective on life, we cling to God’s promises and find purpose based on who we are in Him and what He is yet to do. The troubles of life begin to pale in comparison and we find ourselves able to rise above.