Working with people who struggle with difficult life situations, I often hear statements like this: “Dr. Dixie, I am so frustrated by how hard things are! Parenting is hard, work is hard, marriage is hard… everything is hard. I don’t think I signed up for this!” We Americans relentlessly pursue easy because we believe “easy” and “better” are the same. This attitude is summed up in a commercial for office products that features an “easy button”. Push the button and PRESTO! All problems are solved. Grimm’s Fairy Tales and 30-minute sit-coms reinforce the lie that there is a magic word, wand or pill that will fix everything in an instant, with no effort or change on our part.
We quickly become offended and disappointed when we discover life really doesn’t have an “easy button”; that we have to exert more effort than we want to in order to get what we think we deserve. But the Bible indicates that an untried, unchallenged life always produces a lack of spiritual and emotional tenacity.
Untested, weak believers who lack determination cannot effectively accomplish God’s work on earth because their focus is on self, not God. Difficult circumstances— always caused by sin, not God—present us with the opportunity to choose to focus on God, just as Adam and Eve were allowed to choose in Eden. Our choices, not our circumstances, determine whether we grow up or continue in childish frustration and anger.
James 1:3-4; Hebrews 10:36: “Understand that trials simply produce proof that your faith exists by bringing out endurance, steadfastness and patience... now you let this do a thorough work, so that you’ll be fully developed, lacking in nothing…for you need steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive fully what is promised.”
A strength trainer develops stronger muscles by lifting increasingly heavier weights. In the same way, greater spiritual and emotional endurance grows as we respond in a Godly way to adversity. When we escape into TV, internet, food or drugs in an attempt to avoid discomfort; or when we push our personal responsibilities onto others, we stay self-centered and immature; spiritually “flabby” and weak.
Power and resistance are two essential ingredients for flight. As the engines push the aircraft against the wind, lift is created and the plane soars into the sky. The awesome power of the Holy Spirit cannot operate when we continually try to travel “downwind”, sidestepping the resistance of discomfort and difficulty. Always looking for the path of least resistance—the “easy button”—keeps us from soaring fully into God’s best for us.
King David acknowledged the benefit accrued while enduring sin-caused difficulties: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but after I was afflicted, I keep receiving, loving, and obeying Your Word.” (Psalm 119:67) David acknowledged that God’s role in affliction is to help! “The Lord helps the afflicted but brings the wicked to the ground.” (Ps 147:6) It’s important to recognize that God works in affliction, but is never the author or source of it. If we are suspicious that God is the cause, we won’t be able to trust Him to help us move through the difficulty.
Every person “signed up for this” simply by being born into the human race on a sin-broken earth. No matter how or through whom the hard things come, God promises to be at work in each one for our benefit—not to make life easy, but better, by bringing us to full maturity.
Infinite Grace Ministries exists to help members of Christ’s body, the church, to reach new levels of spiritual maturity and stability. In a violent and unstable world, knowing the unchangeability of God is essential for living in peace! Call 580-774-2884 for your personal appointment today. Send your questions and comments to: Dr. Dixie Yoder [email protected]
