3 Views of “Difficult Times” In Life 1. As a Christian, I shouldn’t have any major problems or difficulties Truth: Followers of Jesus will have difficult times on earth just like non-Christians John 16:33 (NIV) “[Jesus said] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” 2. As Christians, we will have problems, but we will understand how they fit into God’s plan Sometimes this is true, but many times you don’t understand It is easy in difficult times to believe that God has lost control or interest in our lives The greatest damage is caused by confusion; the absence of meaning make a situation intolerable 1 Corinthians 10:13 (LB) “…Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you…” Psalm 13:1 (LB) “[King David] How long will You forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will You look the other way when I am in need?” 3. As Christians, we will have problems, we won’t always completely understand them, but we can trust God to see us through Psalm 23:1-4 (NAS) “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” 3 Assurances When You Are In A Valley 1. When you are in a valley, you can be sure of God’s presence Psalm 23:4 (NAS) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Hebrews 13:5 (NAS) “God Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.’” Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV/NLT) “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? I can never escape from Your Spirit! 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.” Remember, God may be silent, but He is NOT STILL With God when it seems nothing is happening, something is happening Too often we judge God’s involvement in our life based on circumstances – whether good or bad When God’s timetable is slower than ours, Satan encourages you to give up on God God sees the big picture, His timing is perfect; He is never late 2. When you are in a valley, you can be sure of God’s protection Psalm 23:4 (NAS) “…Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” The rod & staff were used for … discipline (see Hebrews 12:6) examination (see Ezekiel 20:37 & Psalm 139:23-24) guidance (see John 16:13) During your “valley” God wants you to trust Him 3. When you are in a valley, be assured the valley isn’t the end Psalm 23:4 (NAS) “ 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,…” Remember, in order for there to be a shadow, there must be a light You are incredibly precious to God John 11:33-36 (NIV) “ 33 When Jesus saw her [Lazarus’s sister] weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 ‘Where have you laid him?’ He asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!’” Jesus’ knowledge of the future doesn’t keep Him from identifying with your sorrow today When you hurt, Jesus hurts Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” For followers of Jesus the best is yet to come 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT) “ 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” John 10:7 & 9 (NIV) “ 7 Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved… They will come in and go out, and find pasture.’” This earth is not our home.