Remember the thrill of playing hide and seek as a kid? You had just seconds to squeeze into the tiniest, most awkward spot imaginable. Meanwhile, the seeker was counting down like a ticking time bomb, ready to burst into action at zero! I don't know about you, but my hiding skills were as subtle as a marching band, so I was usually found pretty quickly—not exactly the last one standing. Life's tough times are a lot like that game. We might try to hide and hope they pass us by, but eventually, they catch up and turn our world upside down like a pancake. They're unavoidable, but we can get ready to flip them right back as we power through!
After many years on earth, I have realised that I cannot dodge hard times. They are coming ready or not. Life often feels like that. We jump into a crisis and try to handle it with our own strength, and only when things spiral out of control do we finally turn to God. But what if we flipped the process? What if we started with Him first?
Knowing God First
The Bible tells us that God is the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13), which means that He’s not just the place we go to for help when things fall apart—He’s where we should start in the first place. Too often, we measure our faith by how quickly we run to God when trouble comes, but what if we learned to live in a constant relationship with Him, seeking Him before the storm hits?
Jesus lived this way. He didn’t panic when trials came because He was always in close connection with the Father. Instead of looking at our problems first and then figuring out how God fits in, we should begin by knowing who He is and letting that knowledge shape how we see everything else.
Hard Times Grow Us
No one enjoys hard times. They stretch us, break us, and often leave us feeling exhausted. But they also do something else—they grow us. James 1:2-4 tells us that trials produce perseverance, which leads to maturity. Without challenges, we remain spiritually stagnant, but through them, we develop endurance, faith, and trust in God.
One of the most significant benefits of hard times is that they draw us closer to God. When everyone else seems to misunderstand, when advice falls flat, and when solutions don’t come quickly or easily, God remains the one who truly understands. He walks with us in the fire, not just observing from the sidelines but walking next to us and refining us in the process.
Designed for a Purpose
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created for good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. But fulfilling our purpose requires preparation. Just as a soldier doesn’t step into battle without training, we aren’t ready to walk in our calling without first developing the character and spiritual depth required to sustain it.
The truth is, God has assignments for us that we won’t be able to handle until we have matured emotionally and spiritually. Hard times shape us, preparing us for what is ahead. The more we embrace the growth process, the more equipped we become to do what He has called us to do.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
When we understand the purpose behind hard times, we begin to see them differently. Instead of feeling abandoned or punished, we recognise that they are part of a bigger spiritual reality:
Sin separates us from God – The hardships we face often stem from living in a fallen world. But through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are offered complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8).
Jesus came to establish His Kingdom – The world resists God’s rule. Just as Jesus faced opposition, we too will experience pushback as we align ourselves with Him (John 15:18-19).
We are learning how to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom – Colossians 1:13 tells us that we have been transferred into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. That means we are in a process of transformation, learning to live by God’s ways rather than the world’s.
Hard times often come because we are engaged in a spiritual battle. The enemy doesn’t want us walking in truth, faith, or purpose. The resistance we face is not just about us—it’s about the Kingdom of God advancing in and through us.
The End Goal
Our ultimate goal is not just to get through life as comfortably as possible but to bring as many people with us into eternity as we can. If our hardships make us stronger, teach us to rely on Jesus more deeply, and if they open doors for others to see His power at work in us, then they are worth it.
In God’s eyes, success isn’t about how easy our lives are but about how deeply we walk with Him. When we are filled with His Spirit, guided by His voice, and motivated by His love, we become truly effective. Only through intimacy with Jesus can we truly fulfil our calling.
Encouragement for the Journey
So, how do we move forward? First, start by knowing God—seek Him daily, not just when trouble comes. Second, embrace the process—don’t resist the growth that comes through challenges. Third, remember the bigger picture—your struggles are about not just you but God’s Kingdom advancing.
Hard times will come, ready or not. But when they do, you don’t have to face them alone. You have a loving Father, a victorious Savior, and the Holy Spirit living inside you. Walk confidently, knowing that He uses every difficulty to shape you into the person He created you to be.
Hard times are coming ..... ready or not! Are you ready??
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