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Answer
Life is hard. It can be more challenging for some individuals than for others, but we all must deal with our imperfections in an imperfect world. Accidents, disasters, illness, heartache, loss—there are countless ways in which the human heart can suffer. Even Jesus acknowledged the difficulties of life but offered hope. He said, “In this world you will face tribulations. But take courage! I have conquered the world” «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.», (John 16:33).
Life was never intended to be difficult. When God created the world and placed the first man and woman in it, life was perfect (Genesis 1–2). Their bodies were flawless, the environment was ideal, their relationship was harmonious, and they lacked nothing. They even enjoyed the presence of God in their midst, living in paradise.
Then came sin (Genesis 3). When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, everything changed. Perfection was tainted, and life became arduous. As a consequence of humanity’s rebellion, God cursed the once-perfect world, causing it to resist mankind. Where there were once flower beds, thistles now grew. Food was no longer abundant; they had to toil, struggle, and cultivate to survive. Sin brought devastation to everything. Now, “the whole creation groans” «For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. », (Romans 8:22, NAS), and we groan along with it.
Sin continues to impact our world, and life remains challenging. Its repercussions spread destruction to others. For instance, when a person gets drunk, that single sin «Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a…»
Raging: And whoever is deceived thereby is not wise. », (Proverbs 20:1). He comes home and beats his wife and children: more sin. His wife suffers a broken nose that will cause her difficulties for the rest of her life. The children are so traumatized that they run away, eventually getting involved in drugs and prostitution. More sin. One son gets in his car and, under the influence of drugs, ignores a stop sign and slams into a bus, killing six people. Their families will now grieve the loss for the rest of their lives, and others will be affected by their pain in various ways. The fallout from one sin continues to spread, impacting countless other people who then impact other people, and the legacy goes on. That’s only one sin. Multiply that by tens of millions, and we start to understand why the world is so messed up and life is so hard.
Another reason life is so hard is that this is not our final home. Those who belong to Jesus are here on visitor’s passes. We became citizens of another kingdom the moment God adopted us into His family «But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: », (John 1:12). We are ambassadors, here on assignment for our Father, the King of kings «Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. », (2 Corinthians 5:20). We’re not supposed to feel at home in this world. We don’t belong here, so it’s only natural that we often feel like aliens and strangers «These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.», (Hebrews 11:13).
Life can be challenging at times because those who have been redeemed and transformed by Jesus Christ often feel a deep yearning to return home «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, as obedient children, we remain faithful to our tasks until our Father calls us.
When life gets tough, it serves as a reminder that this world is not our final stop. No matter how challenging the circumstances may be, Paul referred to them as “light and momentary troubles” «For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; », (2 Corinthians 4:17). Paul and many early Christians understood the hardships of life in ways that most of us will never experience (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). Some of their challenges are highlighted in Hebrews 11, a chapter that reminds us that, as tough as our lives may be, others have faced even greater struggles.
As we navigate through difficulties, we develop the character of Christ—who also faced significant struggles during His time on earth «He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. », (Isaiah 53:3). His selflessness, endurance, and trust in God serve as an example to us: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” «For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. »
Life can be challenging, but Christ is our advocate “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”, (1 John 2:1), our intercessor who presents our case to the Father. He understands the struggles of difficulty, depression, fear, heartache, and the various human situations that make life challenging “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”, (Hebrews 4:15). Life may be tough, but the Holy Spirit is our comforter who assists us and remains with us forever “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”, (John 14:16).
Life is challenging, but it is fleeting. In comparison to eternity, our earthly lives are like a mist that disappears with the morning sun “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”, (James 4:14). Our actions during this earthly time impact the rest of eternity. We can become bitter, hardened, and waste our struggles. Alternatively, we can endure (James 1:2-4), grow, develop faith, cultivate compassion for others facing challenges, and await our ultimate reward. Then, we will hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord!” “His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21).
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” , (Matthew 25:21)
