Reaching for the Heavens

It can be tempting to expect the Christian life to be easy and smooth for the simple reason that God is with us. When life isn’t so smooth, we then become angry or disappointed, thinking that He has failed us. But the Christian life was never supposed to be an easy life.

In Hebrews 11, the Spirit of God warns that suffering awaits us, but also says that we will be victorious, through faith, if we imitate the women and men of the past. Even though these believers died without receiving “the things promised,” they were victorious through and in their faith (Hebrews 11:13).

Faith doesn’t mean there are no longer struggles, doubts, and tears. Faith means that in the middle of it all, we remain firm in our belief that the God who formed the universe “rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith means that amidst our despair, we know that the Lord is faithful and good. Faith means accepting that we are “foreigners and strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

Faith waits for the city built by God, even when we are tortured (emotionally, spiritually, or physically), mocked, stoned, mistreated, and persecuted; even when we wander in deserts and mountains and hide in caves and holes in the ground; and even when we lose battles.

Hardship is the norm in the life of God’s children. It occurs in many ways. The Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus (2014) lists two 2 dozen synonyms for hardship, ranging from “deprivation” to “poverty,” “pain,” “wretchedness,” and “tribulation.” Regardless, the Holy Spirit tells us, “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” (James 1:2–3). The Holy Spirit reminds us, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory” (Romans 8:17). We are further told, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12–13). Finally, we are instructed, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children” (Hebrews 12:7).

Hebrews 11 tells us how we can—how we must—endure and rejoice in our hardships, just like the saints honored in that chapter’s hall of faith. The essential ingredient is faith. That is God’s promise.