Sometimes life is so easy and fun. I look forward to getting up and charging into the exciting adventures awaiting me that day. But I would be lying if I said every day was that way. There are some days when life seems almost unbearable. Sometimes life is hard, really hard. What gives me strength to face life when it feels like the whole world is conspiring against me?
I have heard some church people say that when you put your faith in Jesus Christ and begin following him, your life gets easy. Your problems go away. That isn’t true. Life doesn’t always get easier. Problems still come. Bad stuff still happens. Pressures still smother you. It still feels like the whole world is conspiring against you sometimes.
The difference for me, as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, is that I have a strength and a peace that comes from outside of myself which helps me. I have one reliable friend I can always talk to, who will always listen, who will stand beside me through the worst things in life, who loves me no matter what.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
(John 14:27, NIV)“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33, NIV)
Through prayer, I am able to talk with God and tell him how I feel and lay my problems and fears before him. And he listens. He cares. And the promise made to me in the Bible is that the peace of God, which transcends my understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7).