The Christian experience is filled at various times with joyous moments and painful places. We all have experienced the ups and downs of life. Celebrating and rejoicing when things are going well doesn’t take much effort. But what about when times are tough?  Where do we find strength for the journey through the wilderness? How do we get through when we don’t understand where we are, why we are there, and where the finish line is?



2 Corinthians 4:7-18
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

(Nehemiah 8:9-12 NIV)  "Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them."

 (John 16:33 NIV)  ""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 5:8-11 NIV)  "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

(Galatians 6:2 NIV)  "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

 
Digging Deeper

1.  Read Psalm 98.  What is the writer encouraging God’s people to do?  Why are we supposed to be full of joy?  Now compare Matthew 5:10-12 and James 1:2-3.  What are we encouraged to do? Why? Thank about your own life. Where are you with respect to trials and which of these passages is needed in your life right now? Are you doing that? Why or why not?

2.  Why does God allow us to go through painful places? See how many reasons you can think of, and then compare your list with the following verses: 1 Peter 1:6-7; Revelation 2:10; Psalm 66:10-12; Romans 5:3-5; Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 4:13-16: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Do you think it is fair for God to ask us to go through tough times?  Why or why not?

3.  Read Genesis 50:19-20 (if you don’t know Joseph’s story read Genesis chapters 37-50). Why do you think Joseph was able to say this, even after all he had been through?  What do you think we need to do so that our faith and trust in God can be that strong?  How does that happen for us in today’s world?

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