Maneuvers - No. 86
The Gift
of Hardship
Faithful one, do you love getting gifts?
We (Jennifer and Justin) do, too. It’s fun being surprised by a thoughtful present!
But what if you don’t like the gift? What if you … hate it?
Has that ever happened to you? Maybe a well-intentioned family member gave you socks for your 7th birthday—or a colorful sweater you felt too embarrassed to wear.
The Bible talks a lot about God’s gifts to us. James says that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).
But what about when God gives us a gift we don’t love, like hardships? How do we respond when God allows trials in our lives?
This week, Holy Spirit is giving us a new perspective on those unwanted gifts. He’s offering his hand to us so that we can get through these hard times with him. Because we will get through them.
And if we let him, he can pull us closer to him through the experience.
Let’s listen together…
01.
The Message
“It is good to work hard—to take what I’ve given you and offer it back. I love it when you trust me with your circumstances, for then you are stepping deeper into faith and relationship with me. You are entrusting me to show you what step is next.
“Sometimes, though, it feels impossible to view hardship as a gift. Instead, it is easier to resent it. Often, you wish you could package up trials and send them back to wherever they came.
“But what if you viewed all circumstances as a potential help? I know it feels impossible to relish suffering and strife, but what if you could appreciate tough circumstances for the decision-making they teach you? For the strength, the resilience, the faith—the overall deeper connection with me that you experience? Can all moments in your life be considered a gift for this sole reason: anything is worth experiencing, even hardship, if the result is that you are closer to me?
“I am with you. I am not leaving you. I fortify your mind—your ideas. I fortify your heart—your emotions. I fortify your spirit—your soul. Decide your mindset: One of skepticism and doubt? Or one of courage and hope?
“Please know that you are capable and strong and can handle many things. In the circumstance you are in now, you will be okay. I am right here, leaning in close. Yes, it is hard. But I am steadfast. You can count on me.”
02.
Listen
What line from today’s message impacted you most? In one or two words, what’s your response to that line? Let’s set a timer for three minutes and write out a response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!” (Romans 5:3-5, TPT).
1. Read the passage above again. How does God turn hardships around for your good?
2. What difficulties are you facing? What’s your response to those hardships?
3. Where do you feel weak? Where do you long for more of God’s presence and strength in your life?
4. Where do you see God fortifying you? How is he strengthening your mind, heart, and spirit in this season of your life?
04.
Trust
It’s natural to want to avoid suffering. Often, unpleasant difficulties remind us that we weren’t made for brokenness—we were created to enjoy perfection, peace, and joy with God and each other.
But until Jesus renews this world, suffering will continue being a part of life. The question is, how will we respond to it?
James wrote to Christians facing intense persecution and hardships:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:1-4, NIV).
Let’s pause here and imagine—what would it look like in our lives to not lack anything, as James describes? What would it look like for us to be mature and complete?
Now let’s return to a portion of this week’s FLAG message:
“I know it feels impossible to relish suffering and strife, but what if you could appreciate tough circumstances for the decision-making they teach you? For the strength, the resilience, the faith—the overall deeper connection with me that you experience? Can all moments in your life be considered a gift for this sole reason: anything is worth experiencing, even hardship, if the result is that you are closer to me?”
Can we invite Jesus into our struggles right now?
First, let’s close our eyes and imagine how we feel when we’re going through these difficulties—especially the ones we can’t control or fix. How do we need God’s healing in these areas?
Now, let’s breathe deeply for a count of four … and breathe out for a count of four. As we breathe, let’s ask God to show us how he’s inviting us to trust him and rely on him in these situations. Let’s wait for him, listening and giving him room to respond.
We can open our eyes now. Did Holy Spirit reveal anything to us? If so, let’s write it down.
If you feel comfortable, consider sharing this experience with a friend—or doing it with them. As part of God’s family, we weren’t made to face hardships alone.
Let’s close in prayer…
05.
Pray
Father, I confess where I’ve resisted you in my hardships. And I confess where I’ve tried to fix things in my own strength.
I surrender each of these trials to you. (Let’s name each one.) I trust you to work in these situations—and I choose to view them as opportunities to know you better and strengthen our relationship.
Give me your wisdom, Lord. I need fresh hope in these struggles, and you’re the only one who can give it to me.
I love you—in Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
