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 1:2-4

Have you ever thought that because we are Christians, that life is supposed to be easy and not full of trials, hardships, and points of frustration? Jesus actually taught His disciples the exact opposite. If anyone wants to follow Him, then they will have to leave behind all of their possessions, and instead, pick up their cross. He wasn’t trying to sugar-coat the way of a Disciple, but was showing all Believers that there is a greater spiritual battle happening around us.

We live in a broken and fallen world where there is an Enemy doing everything in his power to convince us that our present reality matters most and cannot change. He tries to convince us that if something bad is happening, that God has abandoned us, or that we have something to deserve our negative situation.

The truth is, however, that there is something, someone, greater that has come and is going to return: Jesus! There is a time coming where Heaven and Earth will collide, and Jesus Christ will reign over all of creation. There will be a day where the evils of this world will pass away, and the Enemy will no longer be able to steal, kill, and destroy what God has made. Yes, picking up our crosses and leaving behind the desires of this world is difficult today, but the reward in eternity is greater than anything we can dream or imagine.

This week, despite any trials we may face, let’s put our faith and confidence in Him.