The Life of following Jesus, while abundant, is not without hardships. Jesus never promised that choosing Him would mean the end of our problems. In fact, many times, He tells us that in choosing Him, we would invite problems. This is part of counting the cost of taking up our Cross to follow.
The glorious flip-side is of course that in His Life, we are One with Him who has overcome. His Victory is our Victory. We can be confident of this in the supernatural, and are to contend for it in the natural through declaration and testimony.
But what about those times of trial and difficulty that we will inevitably walk through in the earth? How are we to receive and respond? Is the Testimony of a Victorious Life one that frequently looks for, and even expects adversity to be from “the enemy?” Or, could there be something else that is the source of our present struggle? How do we discern the difference?
In a posture of Victory, let us not start with giving too much credit to Satan. Instead, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, shall we? Of course, we love that verse from Hebrews 12. Interestingly, in context, the writer explains that in following Jesus, we can strip off the weight of sin that entangles, but after having been disciplined by God.
Could your present difficulty be the discipline of a Father who loves His child?
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” – Hebrews 12:5-11
Walking in the eternal perspective, with our faces turned toward God, yields considering Him first when challenges or issues arise. Sons of God who walk in Sonship (terminology inclusive of male and female) welcome the wisdom and correction of their Daddy. Instead of immediately assuming we are being “attacked,” and that there is a Devil to rebuke – we kneel before a loving Father to inquire, “What are You doing in this? What are You saying and teaching? Is this from You? How would You have me respond?”
Is Father opposing a prideful heart? Is this a result of disobedience to Father’s plan?
I am not suggesting we exist in a place of looking for our sin all the time. That is the definition of anti-Victory and not overcoming. There is no condemnation. But when trial comes, consider the Lord and His instruction, if any, first.
Could your present difficulty be an effect of natural law?
Every time there is a natural disaster, God gets questioned or sometimes blamed. His character is challenged, and His goodness undermined. God is good, and His intentions toward us are always good. In light of a world that was set in motion in a fallen state – things happen. Natural things happen.
They are not always huge and news-making either. If you lay out on the beach without sunscreen for too long… you are going to get sun burned. That is the natural law at work.
And these are not God punishing you.
Consider this possibility when faced with difficulty, and discern the difference and distinction.
Could your present difficulty actually be from Satan?
Ah, yes. We cannot dismiss completely the hinderances and opposition of the enemy. To do so would be foolish and naive. He is the ruler of this world. He is very good at what he does – lying. He is the hinderer and his ways are legion. And yes, he can, and probably will, oppose you at times.
It is important to respect this (in an acknowledging way). It is more important to receive your place in Christ, responding from His Victory – stand, resist, declare, testify… and overcome.
Satan only has words. Learn to distinguish his lying tongue from the Voice of Truth – and you are mere rejection of the lie from walking free.
Too many Christians, in responding to difficulty, start with the sword toward Satan. I’m suggesting consider his attack as a last possible source, and if you discern an attack from the enemy as the source – then respond with Truth and Light – overcoming the lie and darkness.
Lastly, could your present difficulty be a test from God, for His glory, and your growth?
As many Christians acknowledge, so as we have to start this discussion, in following Jesus, we will “bear the Cross.”
None of the above are examples of bearing the Cross with Christ.
Discipline from God, natural law and opposition from Satan are all unsolicited. Bearing the Cross is a choice.
The Divine Life is never imposed, but continually extended as an invitation. To enter into It, to approach the Abundance of this Life, is to embrace the inwrought Cross – both as a completed Triumph, and an ongoing, continual process of death. We appropriate our confidence in participating in the death of Christ, and Triumph over sin in Resurrection. We contend for His Life in the earth by choosing to die to our self – so that He may be poured out through us.
Following Jesus is costly. And when one chooses Him over relationships, position, money, status, reputation, possessions, comfort, etc. – the Cross is being embraced. There will be loss. But there will be Glory.
The Lord does not tempt, but He most assuredly does test – and we are to receive His testing with thanks and gratefulness – as He intends for our approval.
To Conclude:
In this life, you will face trials of many kinds. As a follower of Jesus, this is perhaps even more true. In Living His overcoming, we are to discern and receive the true source of these trials.
Some difficulties are meant to teach us. Others are oppression of the enemy that we are to stand against and declare Victory over. Others are meant for our repentance.
In choosing the Way of the Cross, in choosing the Life of Jesus in us – we can know that nothing reaches us without His allowance. Consider it pure joy then, in these trials – in bearing His Cross. For we know that in the testing of our faith, we are growing our endurance through perseverance. In so developing, we are being made complete, lacking nothing.
Let us seek His wisdom about our trials, and in everything give thanks.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? What would you add? How do you discern the source of your trials? What is your testimony of bearing the Cross to know the Divine Life?
{Image Credit: Kleemass on deviantArt}
