Life doesn’t seem hard, life is hard. Of course, it is certainly harder for some, for many, than for others, but everything is relative.
Comparisons aside, even when life on earth is at its very best, the bliss seems momentary or remains fraught with challenges or issues that are simply being handled or delayed. Trouble and strife are accepted as a normal part of our daily lives.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Life was never supposed to be so hard. When God created Adam and Eve, life was perfect. They lived in paradise. Why, even today we know the Garden of Eden as a utopia.
Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship with God and with each other. They had everything they could possibly need — or want. God himself saw each step of his creation as “good” — until the sixth day when he created mankind in his own image. Then, he called it “very good.” (Genesis 1:31).
Perfection seems so hard to imagine now. Of course, no question about what happened to make it this way. Sin entered when Adam and Eve were tempted, then convinced, they did not have everything they could possibly want or even need.
As a result of their disobedience, everything changed. A perfect world no more, when God placed a curse on the perfection he had created.
Perfection was stained with sin and life became a struggle.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Romans 8:22)
Now we must cope with being incredibly imperfect, sinful people in an incredibly imperfect, sinful world. Death, illness, disasters, wars, heartache, loss of loved ones, accidents, abusive or neglectful parents, depression, fear, and who knows what more — these are our inheritance.
A Warning
Jesus made no misrepresentation about life being hard. He didn’t sugarcoat his words. No promises that if we followed him life would be perfect again. Not this life anyway(John 16:33).
Then again, life was hard for Jesus. He too suffered in many of the same ways we do, and more. The loss of loved ones (Joseph), illnesses, hunger (Matthew 4:2), anger (John 2:15), fatigue (Mark 6:6), homelessness (Matthew 8:20) — and, of course, death. He knew we would face this trouble in our lives, these pains. He understands the troubles here.
But Jesus also warned us to take care that these troubles do not interfere with our faith in him. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), Jesus described four groups of seeds that had been sown — the first the evil one swept away. Then, those that fall on rocky soil and those that fall among the thorns.
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the lies of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful (vv. 20-22).
This parable was meant as a warning to those “…hearing the message about the kingdom.” The first, who have no root, fall away when trouble comes because of the word. The second group, because the worries of this life and the false attraction of wealth choke the Word from their lives.
It is prudent to ask ourselves — where do we fit into the parable?
Our Choices
The number of ways a human heart can suffer is quite endless. Illness and death — these are an expected part of life, albeit we don’t get to choose the timing. But we seem to add to our woes with our own choices.
For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life -is not from the Father but is from the world.(1 John 2:16).
There is a song by the Eagles with a particularly poignant line, “Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table. But you only want the ones that you can’t get.”
As is human nature, despite all that we have, we always seem to want more. In fact, “having” always seems to lead to “wanting,” doesn’t it?
A nice house. A new or newer — or “better” car. A new, updated phone. A vacation somewhere — anywhere. The hottest next gadget.
We so often allow ourselves to get caught up in things of the world that we create a litany of added life problems that simply tack on to those the world already offers us.
We suffer from “if only…” and “someday when…” and “what ifs.” These self-driven troubles often interfere with relationships with our distant families, whom we then can seldom connect with. One need only look at the successes of so-called “self-help” books to realize our level of discontent. And yet — so many of our choices simply make us worse off than we were before.
There was a story I read about a popcorn vendor on a city street. One businessman loved this guy’s popcorn, yet the guy closed shop every day at two o’clock to spend the afternoon sitting on the porch with his wife.
One day the businessman told him that he ought to work hard to expand his business and open up other vendor spots — maybe even a franchise. He told the vendor that he could become wealthy enough to spend every afternoon sitting on the porch with his wife — to which the vendor replied, “I can do that already.”
What do we lose in pursuit of the mighty dollar? What do we risk in pursuit of more and better? What part of our lives are sacrificed, or gets ignored and potentially lost?
In the hustle and busyness of today’s world, perhaps we need to remember to stop and take a breath. And take time to keep our focus where it belongs.
When our choices force us to work harder, work longer, or go deeper into debt — the pressures of life grow exponentially.
But oh, it can get immeasurably worse when we make other, even worse, choices. The crazy thing about sin is it seems to be contagious. It is like a stone thrown into a still lake — the ripple effect can be destructive.
Consider the man who “innocently” flirts with the younger, attractive woman at work. They go to lunch, and one thing leads to another. But soon the affair leads to trouble at home in his marriage.
Then, divorce. But not only is his wife devastated, his children are destroyed, blaming themselves for the breakup of the parents. The family dynamic changes instantly, and not usually in a good way.
The man’s choices have now destroyed his family — and the impact is devastating to all. Ultimately, possibly to their future relationships, and so on down the line.
Perspective Is Everything
In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul addressed the issue of contentment. He explained that he had experienced the ups and downs that life had to offer.
Of course, we need only read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 to understand that Paul had experienced difficulties in ways most of us cannot imagine. And yet, through it all Paul kept his perspective:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
As humans, our lives tend to follow whatever we focus on. If we focus on what we don’t have, then we will forever be in want (Ecclesiastes 5:10-14).
Yet, if we focus on Jesus, we will find contentment.
Life is indeed hard, but we have Jesus Christ as our advocate (1 John 2:1). Jesus knows what we are going through. He’s been there (Hebrews 4:15).
Life is hard, but the Holy Spirit is our comforter. He will help us and will be with us forever (John 14:16).
Life is hard, but compared to eternity, our time here, our struggles here are but a wisp; a breath; a mist that soon vanishes (James 4:14).
Life is hard, but this is not our forever home. It is not our final destination. We are citizens of a far greater dwelling. As difficult as our current circumstances may be, Paul called them “light and momentary” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Let us keep our focus on our eternal glory. On what we have been called to be. On how we have been called to live. Let us live as the last of those Jesus describes in the Parable of the Sower:
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 15:23).
Life is hard indeed, but it is brief. We can allow ourselves to grow bitter, and hard — and to always struggle against the tide of life. Or we can choose to focus on others who are struggling. And on those who do not know Jesus. Then, when it is time for our final reward, we can step out into eternity and hear our Savior say:
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your Lord!’ (Matthew 25:21).
For further reading:
Why Does God Seem So Silent and Hard to Find?
4 Ways to Be Thankful When Life Is Hard
3 Ways to Remember God’s Goodness When Life Is Hard
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
