Recently, I spent time listening to Benjamin William Hastings’ newly released, self-titled album. The most striking aspect of his work is his heartfelt and honest lyrics about everyday life, including his relationship with his family and his struggle with depression.
He presents the hard parts of life, such as the pain of losing loved ones, while continually pointing back to the faithfulness of God.
Well-known believers in history also honestly presented their hardships. For instance, Elisabeth Elliot endured the death of her husband while serving on the mission field in Ecuador. David Brainerd struggled with depression, even as he sought to spread the gospel.
Even the great writer and thinker C. S. Lewis experienced suffering when his beloved wife, Joy, died. Because of these individuals, we have books like Shadow of the Almighty, The Life and Diary of David Brainerd, and A Grief Observed. These works continue to minister to people’s souls during seasons of pain.
I think Hastings’ album and these other works are needed in today’s world because they accurately show that Christians can be honest about questions, doubts, and feelings. At times, I think people assume Christians are supposed to have it all together and never experience hardships or struggles.
However, we do not see this in Scripture or in the lives of believers who came before us. Instead of pretending that we have all the answers and are always happy, I think we can better reach the people around us by cultivating authenticity in our lives.
1. Relatability
Despite what many people assume, followers of Christ are not permanently happy with a smile beaming on their faces. We experience pain, grief, and hardship like other people. When we are honest about our struggles, other people can relate to us.
Jesus regularly related to people’s pain during His earthly ministry. When Mary and Martha mourned the death of their brother, Lazarus, Jesus wept with them (John 11:35). He did not act as if losing a loved one was not painful. He knew they were hurting.
However, because of His close relationship with these siblings, He was able to give them the wonderful truth of Scripture. As He told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
The incarnation is the perfect example of Jesus placing Himself in a position to relate to us. By adding humanity to His divinity, Jesus could emphasize with us (Hebrews 2:16-18). He knows what it is like to live a human life with hunger, fatigue, pain, and temptation, although He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
Since Jesus, who is God, took the incentive to relate to humanity, then we should seek to authentically relate to others. When we honestly present our human struggles and pain, we show unbelievers that they can relate to us, which can open opportunities to share the gospel.
The difference between believers and the rest of the world is that we find hope and comfort in Jesus during challenging times.
By being honest and authentic with our struggles, we can show the watching world that we rely on God’s strength, not our own. He is good, even when our circumstances are not.
2. Empathy
Telling others about our past pain or season of trials also allows us to empathize with others. We live in a broken world marred by sin. Because of the original fall of humankind, everyone experiences the effects of living in a sinful world (Romans 5:12).
Loved ones die. Families are broken. People experience the pain of hunger and poverty. Around us, each day, there are individuals who are suffering.
While the grief and challenges we have faced as individuals are painful, God can use these past events for His good (Romans 8:28).
The Apostle Paul noted in his letter to the Corinthian church that the Lord “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
In His love, God provides us with comfort during times of heartache. We can pass on that same comfort to others when we vulnerably share our experiences with others.
They can hear us speak honestly about our suffering, knowing that we understand that awful things occur in this world. However, we can also give them the message of hope that Jesus is there and that He cares about them (1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:9-10).
3. Stronger Discipleship
Dealing honestly with our emotions and struggles also helps us to develop stronger discipleship in our lives and the lives of others. Believers are never promised easy or comfortable lives.
Instead, Jesus told us that “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT).
Being open and vulnerable about our struggles shows others that the Christian life involves hardship. New believers need to know that following Christ means that the world will hate them (John 15:18-19). At times, they may even face persecution (Matthew 24:9).
We hinder new disciples when we sugarcoat Christianity. Yes, we receive a wonderful new life with peace, joy, and love, but there will be difficulties.
At times, we will suffer and experience pain. What we need in those times are reminders of God’s faithfulness, not self-help or motivational messages.
Throughout the Bible, followers of the Lord went through hardship and suffering. In Hebrews 11, multiple people are mentioned for their strong faith, although they endured difficulties and persecution.
As the author of Hebrews wrote, “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Knowing that the Christian life is not easy can help us as followers of Christ and those we disciple. Instead of basing our happiness on our circumstances, we can find steadfast joy in Jesus, who never changes.
He is always the same regardless of the situations we face (Hebrews 13:8). Trials can become times when we grow spiritually because we are firmly grounded in the Rock (Matthew 7:24-29).
Why Does This Matter?
If we are honest with ourselves, we often struggle with challenging circumstances. Although many Christians try to pretend that they are perpetually happy, they are not immune to pain or suffering.
Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and real about our experiences is essential if we desire to connect with others, share the gospel, help them in their suffering, and disciple new believers.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus identified with people who were hurting. He effectively ministered to their pain because He chose to partake in the human experience through the incarnation.
Like our Savior, we can best minister to others when we empathize and relate to them. By being authentic about our hardships and pain, we can help show others the faithful work of God in our lives.
For further reading:
7 Ways to Live an Authentic Faith in the Social Media Age
4 Simple and Authentic Ways to Share Your Faith Today
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