Wrestling with Hardships

Opening Statements

Prayer for the sick and bereaved.

Introduction

The Bible is filled with such raw emotions and thoughts concerning how God deals with His people. The patriarchs are incredibly transparent and emotionally vulnerable with God. If we were to ask Moses about his time on this earth, he may respond with the following,

Psalm 90:10 “10 Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.”

What is more telling is Psalm 90:9 “9 For all our days ebb away under your wrath; we end our years like a sigh.”

The idea that we find in Psalm 90 and in the other writings of Moses is that God’s anger is unavoidable and harsh.

What happens when you feel like life is too difficult to be in the family of God?

Passages to Consider:

2 Timothy 3:10–17 “10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Take away: Biblical truth is the means by which we overcome struggles.

Three Ways to Deal with Your Struggles

It’s bearable/ You can handle it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.”

It’s worth it. Romans 8:18 “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory [state of high honor] that is going to be revealed to us.”

It’s productive. Romans 5:3–5 “3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Conclusion

Jesus experienced a moment of struggle and this was his response:

Matthew 26:36–46 “36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. 44 After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same t…”

Point: Jesus, the Son of God faced struggle, and His response was not to avoid this struggle. Rather, He surrendered to the will of God.