21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
-Acts 14:21-28
There is a false assumption that being a Christian will solve all your problems. When I first was introduced to Christianity, that’s what I thought of the faith. I thought church was filled with perfect people with perfect lives because they were guided by God. But once I started becoming part of a church community, I realized how wrong I was.
Christianity doesn’t make you less of a sinner, it makes you a sinner saved by grace. Likewise, Christianity doesn’t eliminate problems from your life, in fact, it invites it, but in exchange, it promises intimacy with the God who will walk with you through ever obstacle and every danger.
Paul and Baranbas didn’t just say, “We MIGHT go through many hardships.” No, they said, “We MUST go through many hardships.” To follow Jesus is a promise to allow difficulties into your life. But the reward of knowing Jesus is infinitely greater that any difficulties will only seem like a small annoyance, if at all, in light of your intimate relationship with God.
As you grow in your relationship with God, expect hardships. It’s going to happen. Don’t get caught off-guard by it. But in exchange, expect a rich and intimate relationship with the Lord of the Universe.
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