Truth in Troubled Times

From the moment Adam and Eve chose their own way over God’s way in the Garden of Eden, difficulty and pain have been an unyielding component in the story of humanity. Sin impacted all of creation, introducing suffering and damaging everything from our personal relationships to nature itself.

The effects of sin can be felt in our lives today, manifesting in a variety of ways. We can be bogged down by the tediousness of everyday struggles such as financial insecurity, health issues, and mental exhaustion. We can feel the weight of broken relationships, including those damaged by our own actions or those inflicted by the choices of others. We can experience the depths of grief and loss, be it a loved one or our own aspirations.

No matter how we are suffering, we can take heart that God is with us in the pain and His victorious plan is full of light and redemption. He is a God of compassion and grace who promises to never leave us or forsake us. He gives us a hope that transcends our current circumstances and offers comfort in the pain. No matter what we are facing, God is a refuge and a faithful friend who understands our suffering and is eager to carry our burdens. All of this is equally true of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was the perfect example of a son who always personified his Fathers goodness and love.

Although we will never fully understand why we must endure suffering, God has promised that all our pain and suffering will one day be redeemed. He has promised that one day He will make all things new and the former things will not be remembered (Isaiah 65:17). We can take comfort in the knowledge that, although our days may be filled with darkness, our redeeming Savior will eventually come and rescue us from this dark and perverted world.

Let’s look a few passages of scripture that illuminate our suffering with brilliant hope.

Genesis 3:14-15

“Then the LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel’”.

This wasn’t just a metaphor about Satan’s conflict with humans and his eventual humiliation; it was a statement of God’s ultimate victory. Evil might be able to wound people for a time, but from the beginning God had a plan to defeat death and Satan – Jesus! Although the devil intended for sin and brokenness to destroy us, our suffering will not be the final word on the matter.

Psalm 56:8

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book”.

When we’re hurting, we may feel like God is distant or distracted, but he’s described here in a profoundly tender, engaged and intimate way. God cared about David’s heartache enough to notice and remember each tear, and he cares about our sorrows with the same gentle intensity. Nothing we go through escapes his compassionate attention.

Romans 5:3-5

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the holy spirit to fill our hearts with his love”.

Hard times are often even harder when they feel pointless. But according to Paul in the book of Romans, the struggles we face have a significant purpose. Our difficulties may feel heavy, but their weight is designed to drive us into deeper intimacy with God, strengthening us and anchoring us to the steady hope of his love.

Revelation 21:3-4

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”.

No matter how deeply we ache now, suffering has an expiration date. Our hard times won’t just get better — hardship will completely cease to exist someday. This passage isn’t wishful imagination. It’s an unshakeable promise of a real day when we’ll live with our Lord Jesus and experience his complete restoration of God’s original plan for all mankind. There will be no more sin or brokenness, no more fear, loss or grief. There will just be freedom, joy and wholeness forever.

God’s loving hands have been around His children from the beginning of time, and His plan of victory and redemption through Jesus His son has never wavered. Our path may lead through suffering for a while, but God is with His people every step of the way, tenderly caring for us, giving us refuge, growing our strength, hearing our hearts, drawing us into community and leading us toward complete wholeness. Until our permanent healing comes, we can continue to find the steady light of hope in the truth of His Word.

Few people will disagree that the state of our world is not as it ought to be. All around us we witness hostility between people and nations and see Christian values sidelined by pluralism and the dogma of political correctness. Is it possible to be a voice for truth in times such as these? 

Providentially, God’s Word shows us the way. The prophet Jeremiah lived in a dark and troubled time and was called by God to be an alternative voice to his culture. It was a time when the Israelites had turned away from God and embraced rituals, gods, and beliefs that were shocking, even by today’s standards. And yet, as horrible as it was, God wanted His people back, and Jeremiah had a role to play in making that happen. 

The world causes confusion by weaving deception with influences that involve the use of power, popular opinion, and even promises of comfort and security. God’s wisdom leads us to build a life discipline of focusing on The Truth, even when it is inconvenient, unpopular, or revealing of facts that are hard to face.

God’s design for our lives can cut through the confusion. God will never contradict His Truth and guidance found in scripture. Setting up our lives to let God’s Truth be our guide above all else, will bring peace and clarity.

In closing, are you or do you know someone who is feeling lost and confused and searching for God’s truth in their lives? Have you been seeking answers to life’s questions and still don’t know which way to turn? If so, TLTF.org is here to help.

We provide a community of believers for you to connect with. You can find comfort and guidance from people who have gone through similar struggles. We have a passion for sharing God’s truth and helping others to understand it. Whether it’s through Bible study, prayer groups, or other activities, we provide a safe place to explore God’s Word and wisdom.

The Living Truth Fellowship (TLTF.org) is here to help you find your way in the midst of life’s uncertainties. We can provide you with the tools you need to discover God’s truth and share it with others. We invite you to join us and be part of our community of believers. Together, we can help you on your journey towards finding God’s wisdom and truth. We look forward to hearing from you!

Love & blessings,