For Jesus said, 'remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.' Whoever you are and wherever you are in life. I'm sure that there have been times where you have felt weak or helpless. What are we to do when we face such crises? Who are we to lean on? What hope do we have?
God Listens and Delivers
When you feel as if God isn't there or that he doesn't care know that your emotions deceive you. How you feel about something doesn't change reality. The reality is that God is near, He listens and is faithful to His people. Don't worry, because you can entrust to God whatever situation you are in through prayer as it says in Philippians 4 verse 6, 'do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.'
God is faithful and His perfect faithfulness is on display all throughout the Old Testament and ultimately through Jesus. Though we may suffer during our time on this earth, God has ultimately delivered us from such things in the age to come when all evil is destroyed. This powerful hope through Jesus is one which we should live by.
Know that God is God
Though it may be difficult, don't allow hardship to cause you to sin or turn away from God. Rather, recognise that God is still God even in the midst of your troubles. Hence, continue to live in a way which honours God, because God as the greatest being deserves to be honoured.
Recognise that your understanding and interpretation of your situation is limited because you only see from your immediate perspective. In contrast, God sees all and so sees the wider big picture of what's going on. This massive chasm of perception between man and God can be seen in God's response to Job in Job 38, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements – surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it."
These rhetorical questions go on and on, highlighting the limitations of human wisdom in understanding the ways of God which includes the permission of suffering in our lives.
God Fulfils and Provides us with Security
Money, success, relationships, government. It is impossible to find fulfilment and security in the things of this earth as they are often turbulent and prone to failure. Rather, fulfilment and security is found in having a relationships with the God of the universe, the one who never fails.
God satisfies because one of the greatest purposes of human existence is to establish a relationship with Him. So of course, we will never be able to find true satisfaction in temporary things such as money and success. Financial and relational hardships may come in our lifetimes, but our true security is not found in having enough money or having functional relationships.
Rather, it is found in Jesus Christ who has guaranteed an eternal home for those who trust in Him.
Anton Zhang is studying aviation at the University of New South Wales, he is part of a family of four, his hobbies include music, hiking and fencing. He is an active part of the Christian youth work at the Padstow Chinese Congregational Church.
Anton Zhang's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/anton-zhang.html