Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - The Other Side of Hardship

How do you find yourself reacting when life seems to be totally against you? For me and for many others I know, our responses to life's hardships usually include pouting, anger, frustration, and the desire to quit. Of course, every situation we face is different, but I found something in the Bible that just might be the clue we need for helping us walk through difficulties with a winning perspective.

The book of Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul while he was in prison for preaching the Gospel relentlessly. If there was anyone who had a reason to complain about his circumstances, it was Paul. Instead, chapter 1 verse 12 gives a different snapshot of Paul's life in the pressure cooker. "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel."

What? Is he being serious? The rest of the chapter confirms that he is. And after reading this, I can't help but wonder what would happen if this verse became my personal mission statement. What if you could look back on your life and say with certainty that the bottom line results of the hardships you had to endure in your lifetime was that the Gospel advanced and people were saved?

How can this even be possible? Here are a few very imperfect thoughts on this. This is not a list of things to do (we have enough of those), but rather thoughts to serve as a mirror as you reflect on how you are responding to the hardships that have come your way.

First, an eternal perspective on all of life is a must, not just our weekend worship routine at our local church. For the believer, life won't come into focus until we recognize that Jesus has a plan for our life that includes making us as much like Jesus as possible during our time here on earth, and using us as His hands, feet, and voice to the people around us who need Him.

Second, following Jesus involves living with hardships that we otherwise may not have had to face (Philippians 1:29 ). We often limit the idea of "suffering for Jesus" to apply only to foreign missionaries or the people on the "cutting edge" of professional ministry. Jesus did not come to make our lives easy, but to give us hope and purpose. And suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3 ).

Third, our trust in the Lord typically doesn't deepen when things are going well. Enough said.

Fourth, when we do respond in faith to hardships, believing that God truly is in control and asking Him to glorify Himself through the circumstance, we become an example that others will want to follow. "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (Philippians 1:14 ).

Fifth, when we respond in faith and seek to live in obedience to God through the duration of hardships, evangelism is the byproduct (Philippians 1:13 ).