Baptist City Blog

Gaining Strength Through Hardships

Psalm 138:3

"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul."

Going through hard times is good for you if you will approach them the right way. In fact, the hard times will make you a stronger person if you take the proper steps while enduring them. When I was in high school I had the privilege of playing several sports. One of the things I did not enjoy was the preparation it took to get ready for the game or event. Everyday when we practiced for a game we would have to run wind sprints. Though none of the players enjoyed these, their hardness created an endurance that helped us to stay fresh through the fourth quarter. You could say that we became stronger through hardship.

When you read the Psalms, you will see the Psalmist expose his feelings and actions through his hard times. At times you can see him in despair, and yet at other times you will see his overcoming spirit. However, in each hardship that the Psalmist faced, you will see that he got stronger. The verse above shows us the pattern that he followed when the hardships came.

Let me first say that hardships will come. There would have been no reason for the Psalmist to cry out if there were not hardships. Though I don't mean to be a prophet of doom, I do know that everyone will face hard times. You must not go through life thinking that you will escape them, but you must prepare yourself as to what you will do before they come.

Second, you will notice that the Psalmist felt helpless. He said, "...when I cried..." This no doubt was the Psalmist facing the darkest hour of his hardships. When you go through hard times, you will come to a point when you will feel that it is hopeless. Not only will hopelessness set in, but despair will also come. It is when you are at this point that God can finally help you. The reason is because you have come to the end of yourself, and now God can show you His strength. Christian, God cannot help you until you realize you are helpless.

Third, when you come to the point of realizing you are helpless, cry to God. Nobody can help you like God can. He knows what you are facing at this very moment. Don't be afraid to pour your heart out to God. He wants you to come and expose your heartfelt feelings to Him.

Fourth, God will answer your prayer. The Psalmist said, "...thou answeredst me..." God will answer your cry only if you call upon Him. He cannot answer your prayer if you don't pray. I encourage you to call on the LORD, for He will answer your prayer.

Fifth, he did not quit. Though the Psalmist felt hopeless, he did not quit. Too many Christians quit before they have the opportunity to see God work. You have to get past the quitting point if you want to see the LORD work. Yes, hopelessness and despair may come, but you have to keep on going knowing that God will answer and help you.

Last, strength came because he kept on going. The Psalmist said, "...and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul." When God answered him, he found that God's answer was strength. For what was the strength? It was to help him face his hardship. Christian, you will find if you will call on God, that God will deliver you from your hard time, but probably not in the way you think He will. He will deliver you by giving you strength to go through it. When you have the strength to face the hard times, then the hard times may be hard, but not overwhelming.

Call on God and you will find that He will give you strength. Don't quit in your time of hopelessness, but keep going. When God answers, strength will be given to help you through your hard time.