God uses toughness in our life as a means to strengthen our faith in Him and enhance our spiritual growth (James 1:2-4). While prayer doesn't END tough times, it helps us ENDURE tough times with joy (Philippians 4:4-7). God sees them as necessary “for a little while”
(1 Peter 1:6). Our salvation doesn’t exempt us from them. We live in a world fallen in sin (1 John 2:16-17). The natural tendency to violate God’s holiness will never make living in this life easy, including for the believers (Gal. 5:17). However, we’re encouraged to “rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We’re also encouraged to “… be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). As one song says, “With Jesus on our side, we’re gonna make it.” Let’s make sure we’re on Jesus’ side during tough times by continuing in His word (John 8:31).
Blessings!
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