Challenge Central: a CBC devotional
By: Rev. Charlie Lyons
A mentor of mine likes to say that “the worst of times are often the best of times – they just don’t feel like it at the time.” As counterintuitive as this seems, anyone who’s been through tough times while drinking deeply of the grace of Christ knows that it’s true.
Several years ago, I had an extensive conversation with a Christian brother who had recently endured horrific physical trials, multiple surgeries, and life-threatening infections. He endured great pain, loss of income, and a massive disruption of life as he knew it. Yet, he testified to me, “I would not trade all those months and years for anything because we experienced such amazing provision from God in every area of my life. God gave me extraordinary time and freedom to learn and apply His word.”
Some people close to me have recently experienced difficult weeks in a relationship. The burden has been so heavy that they have lost sleep, they’ve lost appetite, and they’ve lost certainty. Yet, their love for God’s word and time spent with Him in prayer has accelerated so dramatically that grace has flooded their lives with indescribable strength.
And certainly, I have my own stories of hard days (and seasons!) coupled with incredible mercies, and I’d bet—if I were a betting man—that each of you do also.
But all of this begs the question: why is this enigmatic principle such a common experience for Christ-followers? The Bible gives us some pragmatic insight into why bad times can often turn out so good for us. Here are a few of these truths:
We Embrace a Deeper Obedience
Easy times can make us spiritually flabby, while trials can awaken us to the value of God’s word. King David wrote in Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” A few verses later, he affirmed, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (119:71), and he told the Lord, “In faithfulness, You have afflicted me” (119:75).
We Cultivate an Eternal Perspective
When we are coasting through this life on Easy Street, our hearts become excessively charmed by this world’s fleeting pleasures and possessions. God uses troubles to loosen our grip on this life’s attractions and reawaken us to the values and rewards of eternity. The words of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 from the Apostle Paul affirm this: “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
We Develop Godly Character
In the long run, character counts more than comfort or convenience. James 1:2-3 tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Romans 5:3-4 affirms, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Luxury and ease spoil character. Challenges and heartaches develop character when we receive Christ’s abundant grace amid tough times.
We Assure an Eternal Reward
Godly endurance is always rewarded as we are empowered to learn and grow through difficult tests. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” In a similar fashion, in 1 Peter 1:6-7, the Apostle Peter reassures us, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Most of us have completed all the schooling we’ll ever do, but did you know we will all face one ‘final exam?’ When we stand before Christ in eternity, He will not ask us how we enjoyed financial security or about our satisfaction with the creature comforts of life. Rather, we will be evaluated by the degree to which we grew to become like Him. Most of this growth comes through the trials of life. Truly, the worst of times are the best of times.
Friends, our tough times are not easy nor permanent—“this too shall pass,” as the old saying goes. But they are valuable beyond measure, both in this life and in the one to come.
May it be so among us!
