“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul”(Psalms 94:17-19 ESV emphasis mine).
As disciples, Jesus followers, we can easily be overwhelmed with everything in the job description. We can find ourselves discouraged by our own sinfulness.We may find ourselves insufficient when it comes to the strength necessary to do the things that He calls us to do. But that is a good thing!
Following Jesus can be an inordinate load to bear, but He promised us nothing less. Becoming a disciple of Jesus invites hardships! Paul said it this way, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV).
Why is it that we think that our lives should be easier when we come to faith in Christ?
Thankfully, life does become easier when we have faith in Jesus. No, not easier in the sense that God straightens all of our paths, levels the hills and valleys, removes all obstacles and rolls out a red carpet so we don’t stub our toes! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: God doesn’t exist to make my life easier or more pleasant. I exist to bring glory to Him; which makes my life easier and more pleasant.
We do a disservice to the Gospel and to those with whom we share it when we speak of only the good things. People need to know what they’re getting into. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it” (Luke 14:28 ESV)?
But we also need to make it clear that when we do find ourselves in difficult circumstances, when we are doing right but suffering wrong against us, when it seems like we’ve been knocked down for the last time, The Lord’s steadfast love will uphold us! And when the outlook is dark, the Holy Spirit’s work in us brings us joy.
So, while we will endure hardships and have times when we feel that the Lord is distant from us, we need to remember that He is the only thing holding us up and holding us together.
Blessings on your day!
(Photo by Cedric Gillette/flrunners.com)
Skipping Stones 
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