Hold on… God’s help is on the way. If we feel we are in deep trouble, God has promised to help us endure. But, we must make use of the help He provides. “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
The Bible helps us understand that we will have to suffer, but good can result from our suffering. It gives us assurance that we can endure like others have. It gives evidence of God’s wisdom, power, and faithfulness to his promises. This strengthens our faith that God can and will help us endure. Romans 15:4 – “…through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.”
The Bible also teaches us not to cease on worship and prayers when we experience sufferings. It has been an experience, that some Christians tend to forget their duties when they are suffering from trials. Apostle James says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” (James 5:13) Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”(Philippians 4:6,7) When Job suffered, he went to God in worship. Far too often when we suffer, we do the opposite. We neglect to worship, because we don’t feel like it. (Job 1: 20)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (1 Peter 5:7) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) These passages do not promise that God will remove our problem, but they do promise He will provide the strength we need to be faithful despite the problem. God will surely gave us the strength to endure. (Matt. 26:36-46; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).
The Bible encourages us to ask help not only from God but from other Christians also. We should strive to comfort others, because not only God can comfort us. God uses others to help us endure. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) This is the reason why fellowship is important in the church of God. We should help one another and bear one another’s burdens. We should never allow another Christian to suffer alone through serious problems, if there is any way we can help. (Galatians 6: 2)
One of the best places to get encouragement in time of trouble is the public worship assemblies or gatherings, which the Bible says we must never abandon(Hebrews 10:24,25). Again, however, we must come to the assemblies and talk to other Christians to gain the help we need. (Read 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Thess. 5:11,14.)
We are heirs of God if we suffer with Jesus. The sufferings of this life are unworthy to even be compared with the future glory awaiting us. (Romans 8:16-18) From this words, we are inspired to keep holding on from the faith we have despite of the sufferings we feel every time. James 1:12 – The man who endures is blessed, because the result will be a crown of life. Matthew 5:10-12 – Rejoice and be glad (don’t gripe and complain) when you are persecuted, because you are suffering as God’s people always have. And great is your reward in heaven. (2 Cor. 4:16,17; 2 Tim. 1:11,12; 2:12; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 4:13)
Faithful Christians will suffer. Yet the Christian’s life is still the best, because only faithful Christians have the assurance that we can endure, that God will help us, that the result will be for our good, and that in the end we will have eternal life. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13.
