Life is not as easy as it appears on television or social media. As we watch television and see no one working 40 hours a week and yet getting to go to the coffee shop daily, we get a false idea of life in our minds. I like Seinfeld and Friends but who has time or money to be at a diner or coffee shop daily? I love The Office, but the cost of Jim’s pranks on Dwight are not something that can be paid on a paper salesman salary. There’s a lot of truth with these shows, but at the same time, television producers aren’t likely to make a show about suffering and struggles because it won’t get watched. No one wants to see people struggling; television is an escape. Just the same, no one wants to post the bad days, the chaos and struggles on social media. It’s not as like-worthy as a photo of a cute pet, a vacation pic, or your good hair day selfie.
The Bible talks a lot about real life. Struggles. Obstacles. Temptations. Sin. These things are things we face. God doesn’t sugarcoat life. He tells us like it is and graciously gives us directions and guidance along the way. He makes it clear there will be suffering — “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). He makes it clear also that there’s a narrow path that few will travel (Matthew 7:14). But He also makes it clear that He is with us every step of these way. He will not leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). Plus, “He suffered and endured every test and temptation, so that He can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life” (Hebrews 2:18 TPT).
This is something that we can rest upon. How many times are you going through something in life and someone chimes in with advice though they haven’t been in your shoes? Jesus has suffered. Jesus has endured. The Bible makes it clear EVERY test and temptation He suffered and endured. The Bible also makes it clear that He did this so that He can help us EVERY TIME. This means that any time you face something, God’s got your back. Anytime you are walking through a valley, God’s got your back. Anytime you don’t think you can make it, Jesus has already made it. When the situation seems without hope, Jesus already went through it and overcame it. When there seems to be no way out, Jesus already found the way out (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).
This doesn’t mean life gets easy. Life is hard and we will keep facing obstacles, tests, temptations around every turn. What this does mean is that we can rest in Him. What this does mean is that we can hope in Him. It means we are not alone in this situation. It means that when we don’t see a way through, He has been through and we can fix our eyes on Him. As we face the test, as we face the temptation, we can fix our eyes on Him, the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Yes, this won’t be easy. But it will be okay. Jesus has overcome!
Tania Gutekunst 