We’ve all had occasions when the enemy gets us down. It’s a bad mood, a bad day at work, or a bad interchange with a family member.
What if you have a series of hard knocks that don’t let up? Like a job loss, loss of a child, health or reputation?
Hard knocks are heavy burdens we carry. When tragedy and grief mount into months and years, we may feel bewildered whether God is out there or cares. We wonder how long we can take it before we give up hope.
Hebrews 12:3 tells us, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Jesus was beaten, mocked, and died an innocent death. His strength brings us grace to keep going when the blows threaten to knock us down.
The writer tells us we must gain a different view on hard knocks.
As a father lovingly disciplines his son to help him grow and succeed, so our heavenly Father allows pain and trials to draw us closer to Him.
God tests us through struggle. When we wrestle with God in our trials, He promises to stay with us. As we rely on Him, our lives are more like Him. He doesn’t want to knock us down. But rather, He wants to bring healing and closeness to Him.
The answer is to make our feeble arms and weak knees strong while the hard knocks come. Remember Jesus’ pain. You are not alone. Ask people to pray for you. Look to the Word. Use good self-care.
Hard knocks can either bring you down or bring strength. What do you need to respond?
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