2nd Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
The Christian’s life is not a bed of roses, nor is it a carefree way of life, where persons are insulated from the change of fortunes and circumstances that affect ordinary people. There are times in our lives when we may have easy-going days, and there are other times when things may not work according to plan, or expectation.
At times the Christian experiences disappointment, grief, sickness, stress, and discouragement when the will to move forward is strained and persons could feel as if their drive is lost. At other times we might have mountaintop experiences, and we may feel as if we are on top of the world.
This is all well and good, but God reminds us in His word that we are walking a straight and narrow path that leads to heaven, and as such we may not have our own preferences always. All of the heroes of the Bible had their days of victory, as well as times when they felt deflated.
Not a single one was, or is exempt, and because of this fact, we will need that resilience that is born of God that would enable us to run the Christian race with a steady and even tread. Successful Christian living, and one’s faithfulness, are quantified as folks are able, by God’s grace, to navigate the vicissitudes of life, whether favorable or adverse.
The hiccups and bumps in the road are there for a reason, so that we might develop Christlike virtues, and characteristics such as patience, steadfastness, fortitude, bravery, resilience, courageousness, and an indomitable spirit that is impossible to defeat.
These characteristics are not developed overnight, nor do they come by accident. On the contrary, the Christian must first win his battles on his knees, and as folks seek God for grace and strength in each and every varying situation, the character is chiseled and molded, developed, and matured, until we reflect Christ in a consistent manner, in every situation life may throw at us.
Thus, the scripture cautions us against believing that following Jesus will mean that everything in life will go smoothly. On the contrary, the Christian is made the target of numerous incursions coming from our invisible foes, and it’s only by wielding the shield of faith that persons can survive. Let’s read:
1st Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
John 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
However, the Bible teaches us that some persons can become desperate, and buckle under a load of pressure, and disappointment, while others zip up their boots and grab the bull by the horns, trusting in God alone to carry them through. It all has to do with the approach to life that is adopted.
Daunting situations, challenges and hurdles are to be viewed and understood as being stepping stones, by which persons might climb to a higher round on Jacob’s ladder. And as the song goes, every round or every step of advance one makes, in navigating the hurdles of life, will take persons higher and higher.
Several examples in the Bible demonstrate what is being said, and it is always left up to the individual in question to determine victory or defeat. The Lord gives grace and strength for every emergency, every puzzling situation, but what folks do with that grace and strength ultimately determines the outcome.
Job and his wife were going well, they were in good and regular standing, until their comfort zone was disturbed. Disappointment, tragedy, and financial loss took a toll on them, until Mrs. Job blurted out the unthinkable.
And the Scriptures show us that not even faithful Job was immune to the change of fortunes, for he cursed the day that he was born. When shaken out of our comfort zones, the true character of a person is often made manifest.
Moses was doing quite well, until his comfort zone was disturbed by the unbelief and stubbornness of the people. When he believed he had reached the upper limits of forbearance, he struck the rock two times in his anger and utter frustration.
Again, Aaron and Moses had just about had it when the children of Israel took up missiles to stone them. It was a very different situation than when they had come through the Red, sea successfully, as pharaoh and his armies were overthrown in the midst.
At that time, they had a mountaintop experience, as they celebrated God’s victory in their behalf. At that time, they relished the moment as they reflected on the great deliverance God wrought for them, and no doubt, their feelings found expression in their song and dance, as can be seen in the following passages. Let’s read:
Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
But after a while, their comfort zone was disturbed, and the change of circumstances produced a change in mood and outlook, and praise was exchanged for complaints, courage was exchanged for fear, and the latent human tendency to become frustrated when things do not work out the way we expected, took a hold of the multitudes, and the rest is history.
There are times when satan pushes the envelope to the brink, and we might be tempted to say and do things that are not ordained of God. The Christian should form the habit of falling to his or her knees when faced with frustrations and challenges, even though it may be difficult to pray at such times. Let’s read:
Exodus 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
The devil repeatedly brought up that charge against the leaders of God’s choosing, that they had ulterior motives in bringing the children of Israel so far into the desert, to kill them, and then take their property as personal bounty.
Over and over again, we read in the scripture where this accusation was brought, until one day, Moses couldn’t take it anymore, and he blew a fuse in public.
The issue of being disturbed from our comfort zone is not relegated to the Old Testament, for it can also be observed in numerous occasions in the New, as Paul and his fellows became frustrated with those of the Jewish nation, who’d refused to relinquish their unbelief. Paul finally got fed up with preaching to them and he threw in the towel in utter disgust.
And were it not for the resilience that God gives, he would have called it quits, for his comfort zone had been disturbed. Preaching to receptive minds is one thing, but when Paul preached to the unresponsive Jews, it seemed to him as if he were preaching to a stone wall, and that could really wear down one’s patience. Let’s read:
Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
9 Then spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
The same issue of being disturbed from the comfort zone also took place with Christ as He wrestled with the powers of darkness in Gethsemane. Prior to this Jesus was at the top of the world, commanding evil spirits to depart from persons, healing the sick, and raising the dead. At this time, Jesus could say with conviction, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God”.
But then a change of fortune grips Him, He is placed in a very uncomfortable position, and Jesus’ comfort zone is being severely shaken. His distress is given expression in words that tell of the difficulty of the time, and to make things worse, His disciples who should be there to encourage Him, are snoring at a distance.
When one’s comfort zone is disturbed, very strange things can happen, and words that usually wouldn’t be spoken under more favorable circumstances are often given utterance. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: never-the-less not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he comes unto the disciples, and finds them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Our first passage teaches us that we are called not only to be light-bearers, by preaching, giving out tracks, distributing food, and visiting the sick and the fatherless. These things are very good, but the passage says that persons are also called to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross.
This means that whenever a change of fortune, or a change of circumstance comes our way, that we did not expect, or did not prefer, persons are to take the matter to God in prayer, asking Jesus for resilience, and grace to deal with the change of circumstance.
The reason why this teaching is important and even relevant to those of us who are living in a troubled world, is because like those who have gone before, we too may be shaken out of our comfort zone, and if and when it’s disturbed, what we do at such times will determine the outcome.
There are difficult days coming upon the planet, on multiple fronts. The excessive heat that the prophet Isaiah predicted, will cause adverse ripple effects across the globe, and persons will be shaken out of their comfort zones.
Some will be affected one way or the next, either by having to deal with the heat, or by dealing with the increasing cost of energy needed to cool you down. The electric grid is coming under great strain, and the prospect of rationing electricity is becoming a new reality.
Inflationary pressures are now taking a sizeable bite out of person’s finances, and with the saber-rattling taking place between Russia and Ukraine, with the continued destruction of thousands of tons of grain that feeds many millions, things could go South very quickly.
But more than this is what the Scripture says would certainly come to pass. There will be a time of pain and trouble, for the world at large, and especially for the remnant people of God, who will be forced to regroup and do things differently.
Covid was a dry run where we our comfort zone was disturbed, when churches were shuttered suddenly, and when life as we previously knew it, was turned upside down. During that practice run, over seven thousand churches across America were forced into insolvency, and as a result had to close their doors permanently.
Choir practice had to be halted, Pathfinders had to be suspended, and the one, on one fellowship and interaction individuals had become accustomed to over the years was now put on hold. Nurses were placed under severe strain, and very many left the industry for good, because the stresses that Covid brought seemed too great for some to bear.
But someway, somehow, the Bible is saying that we must endure hardness as good soldiers of the Cross, and therefore the logical question will be: How can we maintain our balance and equilibrium when our comfort zone is disturbed?
To answer this question, we must now turn to the example of Paul, the very person who penned our first passage, encouraging us to endure hardness as good soldiers of the Cross. It was the song of his very own experience he was singing, and those who are preparing for the most difficult days of earth’s history, will do well to study carefully what Paul now is saying. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
The Remnant people of God will soon realize that it is becoming an ever-increasing reality, that we will have to learn how to live and survive under the most difficult and adverse circumstances. Yes, it is true that we now enjoy the comforts of life, and we seem to have all our ducks in a row.
But if some unforeseen event, or change of fortune should come our way suddenly, that shakes us out of our comfort zone, will we be resilient, trusting in God who knows best, or will our countenances fall like Cain’s?
Adverse circumstances which disturb our comfort zone can bring out the best or the worst in us, and therefore it was in the context of some unforeseen, sudden disturbance during the last days of earth’s history that Jesus gave the following warning. Let’s read:
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
After working hard all his life, crowned with success and material blessings beyond measure, Lot and his wife were faced with a sudden disturbance that had apparently came out from nowhere. The angel’s had told them that they must leave immediately with no time to plan or pack.
Thus, when their comfort zones would be severely shaken, their response to the sudden disturbance, and uprooting, from their retirement home, would define their future.
They deliberated, delayed, and lingered, loathed to leave behind a life of luxury for the discomfort of country living, where there would not be any tap water, electricity or air-conditioning to deal with the excessive heat such as we’re currently experiencing. Just wondering how they would do! Let’s read:
Genesis 19: 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord.
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die.
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 160] Lot returned sorrowfully to his home and told the story of his failure. It was hard to forsake his luxurious home and all the wealth acquired by the labors of his whole life, to go forth a destitute wanderer. Stupefied with sorrow, he lingered, loath to depart.
Although so greatly favored in being called out from the wicked city, she felt that she was severely dealt with, because the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to destruction.
It is quite possible that some who may be currently preaching the 3 angels’ messages might not really believe it because the actions, the perspectives, and aspirations harbored make it manifest that like Lot, one’s treasure is where the heart is, in Lot’s wife’s case, it was buried in the earth.
Many difficulties, upheavals, and disturbances of no ordinary character are scheduled to ramp up across the earth, and without a doubt, our comfort zones will be disturbed. Already, there are clear fractures appearing in political and judicial systems, which tell us that great changes are underway.
The climate crisis, the forever wars, and rumors of war, the deliberate destruction of food supplies, and the utter intransigence of political parties at home and abroad, should be a wake-up call to those who are looking for Christ’s soon return, and as such, we must expect that sooner or later, the comfort zones we have come to love and cherish, will be disturbed.
God’s purpose in saving persons is singular and very streamlined in that everything and every experience we are to pass through, is in preparation for a better world. And because of this, Christians should never exchange the pilgrim mindset for a secular frame of mind that relishes, and revels only in the here and now.
Building sterling characters for eternity is at the very forefront of the Christian experience, and thus, if we be comfortable or uncomfortable in doing so, let it be said that we were found faithful in weathering the changes that come from time to time.
In harmony with this truth, we will end with two passages of scripture which should remind us of the work Christ is doing in our hearts, in preparation for that great day. And, if in the process, it means that our comfort zones may be disturbed, let us, like the faithful in all ages, be found resilient by God’s grace. Let’s read:
Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
God Bless!