It’s So Easy/Hard to be a Christian
I know this title is confusing, but it is certainly a reality for many people. Being a Christian is one of God’s greatest blessings, and yet along with this great blessing comes many difficulties in life. You see, Satan is still alive and well. He manifests himself in so many different ways that they are hard to enumerate. Sometimes he goes around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) just looking for those he can destroy. Often, he is cunning (Gen. 3:1) and slithers into our lives before we are even able to detect it. Sometimes he seems to leave us alone for a season, but he is never really very far away.
I hope you will bear with me as I try to put into words the thoughts that have been running through my mind for the last few days.
It is a difficult time in life right now. Tornadoes have devastated many places in our country leaving so many people homeless and wondering how they will ever get back to a normal life. Fear has gripped many in our nation and world because of a deadly virus that seems to spread in spite of taking precautions. Being confined to our homes (which is what many claim they want when they are so busy with normal life) has lots of people feeling like they are going crazy! “Social distancing” is terminology we knew nothing about until a few weeks ago. It has caused us to use methods to worship God on Sunday in a way that prevents us from fellowshipping with one another. And on top of that the devil continues to do his dirty work in many lives. He plays on weaknesses in people and they join his army sometimes without really realizing that is what they are doing.
It’s hard to be a Christian when so many terrible things crowd our minds!
But then the words of a beautiful hymn written by Edward J. Bickersteth in 1875 come into my mind:
Peace perfect peace, in this dark world of sin;
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace perfect peace, with sorrows surging round;
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace perfect peace, our future all unknown;
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
When I focus on the thoughts in this song, it becomes not only easy to be a Christian, but a blessing beyond measure.
The book of James has always been one of my “happy places” when I study the Bible. It is so practical and helpful with everyday life. James has great insight into going through trials in life when you are a Christian. The first chapter has a theme of being patient in trouble.
In James 1:2-4 it says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when [not “if”] you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (comment and emphasis added). And then when you drop down to verse 12, it says: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” (emphasis added). Love for God and faith in God go hand in hand.
That’s what makes it easy for me to be a Christian.
Storms will come in my life. Illnesses will take their toll on me or those I love. Satan is still alive and well and often wreaking havoc on me and many around me. And all of those things are really hard to deal with, but it remains easy to be a faithful Christian because I know Who is in control, and Who will reward me for my faithfulness in all trials of life.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
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AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
