Holding Faith Through Hardship

When I reflect on keeping faith in God through hardship, the story of Job immediately comes to mind.

He suffered so much, but he continued to have faith in God. Job shows us that we must endure hardships and still hold on to our faith. However, Job didn’t handle his hardship with a smile on his face. He suffered and was in pain and even questioned God.

“If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

    you who see everything we do?

Why have you made me your target?

    Have I become a burden to you?

Why do you not pardon my offenses

    and forgive my sins?

For I will soon lie down in the dust;

    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”  -Job 7: 20-21

The past year has been filled with hardships and challenges, one after another. I felt as if I was being attacked in all areas of my life. I remember questioning “why me?” Why is there always something going on?

One of my friends said to me, “But why not you?” We have an amazing God who knows exactly what it is to suffer. We often see hardship and suffering as punishment, when in most cases they are there to help strengthen us, grow us, or teach us. 

I realized that having faith through tough times means trusting the plan and path God has you on. That’s easier said than done. 

I ask, can I still trust but be angry? Can I have so much love for my Lord and Saviour but be so heartbroken with the situations I face? Can I ask for help in certain situations and hide from the troubles? 

God knows we are humans. We will be hurt and feel like we did something so wrong because being punished seemed like the only way to understand this pain, suffering, and hardship. Job questioned even his own existence, questioning why he was brought into this world (Job 3: 1-26). 

Our God wants us to bring everything to Him, including our deep grief, burning anger, and highest praises.

When I'm going through a tough time, I remind myself of what my pastor said. It's such an honor to be able to worship God through our suffering, even the angels don’t know how it is to feel pain and still praise our God, she told me.  

Looking back, I see now how God has moved in my life using my hardest times as lessons and how He has always been with me. Without my suffering through hardships, I would've never found my way to TCM, meaning I would've missed out on being part of all the families' lives we care for, and I wouldn't have been able to build these relationships. 

I am grateful for the moments where I don't see a clear solution, it helps maintain my sight on our God, knowing that He is a way maker, mover of mountains, miracle worker, all-knowing and all-loving merciful Father.  

Let your faith hold your hardships, and give it to the Lord.