Stand Tall

by Brandy Webb

I know that I have said this many times before, but I will say it again, life is hard sometimes. Maybe hard doesn’t have the punch it should, but I am a Christian blogger, so I will stay with the word “hard.” I don’t know anyone who hasn’t gone through at least one tragedy. In fact many people close to me are going through some type of trial. Some of the trials, on a scale of one to ten, maybe are only at a four, but I have people close to me that are going through trials that are beyond ten, in my opinion.

I have had my share of various trials and heartaches. I know what it is like to lose a loved one because of an illness and to lose a loved one completely unexpectedly. I also know what it is like to lose a close friend that should still be here, but as a teenager I didn’t realize how depressed they really were. Like I said, this life is hard sometimes.

So, how do we keep our joy? How do we still hold onto our faith when we see bad things happen to good people? How do we not give into despair like Satan wants us to do?

We hold to God’s Word. That is all I know to do. I do not have the answers to why bad things happen to good people. I do believe that one purpose of trials is to help our faith grow. Also, it helps us be merciful to others when we see them going through trials. Trials also make us realize we need God.

To some on the outside, they may not understand why we believe in God when the world is so messed up. I can’t scientifically prove to them that God exist. All I can let them know is that I have faith that He does exists, and that this world is just temporary. I know that I don’t understand a lot of things because right now I see through a glass very darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). Right now, Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yes, God still intervenes, but He also gives us free will. Therefore, evil people have just as much free will as I have. So, does this mean we should crawl in a corner and give into despair? NO!

We are to show the world the hope that is within us always. We know and believe that this world is not all there is. We know that one day there is going to be a “World Tomorrow.” We also must live out the Word of God. Instead of dwelling and meditating on what is on the news, we need to meditate on Philippians 4:8. Instead of worrying and fretting, we need to live our lives according to God’s will that is told to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

We have a job to do. We no longer must rely on others to do our job. All of us are to spread the joy, hope, love, and faith of the future Kingdom of God. We are not supposed to be waiting for someone else to do it. We all are to live out our faith according to the Scriptures. If we do, I believe, we will experience the peace that is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7). We will be able to “walk on water” in the midst of the storm because we will be living lives that show others that nothing is impossible for God. Satan wants us to give in to despair. He wants us to grovel and give up. God wants us to stand tall with His strength no matter what, because we know that this life is only temporary, and one day we will live in eternal glory.