The old adage speaks clearly that when “the going gets tough, the tough get going,” yet so many times when we get cornered in life we tend to do anything but that.  We, as human beings, tend to run to the easiest solution. We gravitate to the path of least resistance. We like the smooth and easy road; there might not be steam for anything else.  

            Most often the easiest solution to our problems are not solutions in the long run.  As false hopes, they prove to be ones that don’t follow through as solutions at all.  Many times worn out people who take shortcuts in their Christian walk and continue the cycle of being burnt out and exhausted with nothing to show for their efforts.  We are soldiers, but we are not supposed to be soldiers defeated before the battle even begins.

            When things get hard, people turn to many things.  We have seen it over and over.  Some people turn to a bottle.  Some try to numb things with substances that can take your mind away from things for a little bit. Sometimes things hurt so bad that all you want to do is take the edge off of the problems, to just make things manageable, and many people think drowning out problems is an easy solution.  

            Think about some other forms of the easy ways out.  

            Men often feel that porn can take the pain of their circumstance away.  To look into the eyes of another woman might temporarily make them forget their worries.  We all know it’s wrong, yet the temptation to ease the pain is so strong that we will sacrifice our integrity to find quick relief.  Someone’s body might give you pleasurable feelings that are a lot easier to hold than the real problem at hand.  It is a very easy way out.  The hard thing would be to stand up as a Christian man and fight the battle God promised to stand with you in, facing the problem, and dealing with it.

            Men are not the only ones who struggle with this.  

            Sometimes women turn to coping as well.  In my attempt to market my first book, I noticed that the bulk of the book-buying audience is women who want romance novels.  I am all for a good light-hearted romance story.  But what I’ve seen take charge of the book buying industry are the steamy erotic ones that take women’s minds to places they shouldn’t go.  On any given day, it seems like half the book promotions that run across America have a near naked hunk on the cover with a twenty-four-pack instead of only a six-pack.  My wife can smile at this, knowing that my abs have been through two hernia surgeries and a gall bladder removal. I don't even have a four-pack anymore. Seriously though, it is an easy way out.  Instead of nurturing a marriage and putting the effort into it to solve problems, erotic books can take your pain and bring you into a fairy tale where you mistakably believe no problems exist.

            Everyone faces the easy way out.

            Coping even crashes into the lives of children. Cutters draw blood to ease the pain.  Kids end up hooked on heroine to ease family structure issues.  Eating disorders plague teenage females who struggle to cope with issues. Teenage boys are not exempt from this too.

            God never promised us that life would be easy.  In fact, He said it would be hard.

Psalms 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

            Moreover God even tells us that the world is going to hate us.

John 15:18-20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

            I have seen it far too often.  We as Christians think we are invincible until the moment the first sword swings.  When the battle commences, so many of us are too weak to actually fight and we fold our cards before we even play them.  So many times I have watched believers fall when life gets hard.  I’m not saying it is easy.  It is terribly difficult to keep strong when the battle begins.  I for one know all about how crazy life can get.  It can get messy quick.  The easy way out seems promising.  I have failed to stand strong at times. There have been moments in my life that I have coped in unhealthy ways when life got too tough. We all are in the same boat. Too many of us Christians turn to head down a path that looks like a quick fix to our problems, only to find out that it ends in defeat.

            It can be very hard to trust the Lord sometimes.

            Is it easier to trust in government programs or trust that the Lord will provide (there are times and seasons when we do)?  Is it easier to trust modern medicine than spending the time praying that might be necessary for God to heal (by no means am I against modern medicine, I simply am talking about putting something ahead of the Lord's hand)?  Is it easier to get a quick fix rather than confronting issues in a marriage that are hurting relations with a spouse?  Yes, we need to do what we need to do, taking in the help the world provides when we can. But there should never be a dependence on these things that goes above and beyond our reliance on Jesus.

            Real solutions take effort.

            The battle is real.

            Is there a better way? 

            Today’s post is one to encourage you.  I know how tempting the easy way out looks. I get it.  You are tired.  But the easy way out only promises false hope.  To find victory in your situation, you are going to have to buckle down and get in the trenches with God fighting behind you.

            There is not going to be an easy solution to some of the gigantic problems we face in the world today.  There is not going to be a magic button to push to restore your family dynamics or your marriage.  There is no secret formula to recovering from the betrayal of a friend or the hurt of past neglect.  There is no easy way to heal scars, recover from trauma, or prevent sufferings from attacking.  

            It is going to take effort.  But you got this!

            Our opening verse said that although we might face a lot of trouble in our lives as Christians, “the Lord delivers him out of them all.”  He has given us some sure fire ways to stand tall when the going gets tough.

Obey! 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6- For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

            When we obey the Lord and walk in the Spirit, we will be in tune with the Lord Jesus, and there is power untold at our disposal that can bring victory over the evil forces around us.

Dress For Success!

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

            Putting on God’s armor might sound like something kids do in Sunday School class back in the day, but if you read about it carefully, and do it, you will be well protected.  My wife and I were just talking about the shield of faith the other day.  How many of the darts can the shield of faith extinguish?  Some?  Half?  That’s right. Every.  Single.  One.

            When you are armed and ready as a warrior of God, standing firm with truth, righteousness, the readiness of the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God... you are fully and completely equipped, (with God standing beside you), to handle anything the enemy could throw your way.  Period.

Rest In God’s Peace

John 14:26-27

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

            There is nothing like the peace of God. It changes everything.  It can’t be explained or understood. It just is.  

            When you put your confidence in the Lord and you rest in Him, His peace will overshadow you in ANY situation.  

            I challenge you today, my friend. Don’t turn to the left or to the right when things get hard in life.  Stand tall.  Obey.  Dress for success. Rest in God’s peace.  I plead with you to dig in deeper with God rather than fall away from Him.  I know the battle gets rough.  I know it rages like fire some days.  But if you follow the Lord, and trust in Him, it is possible to stand against the enemy when blades start swinging.  He promises us that the battle is ultimately His, and He will be there for you in your time of need.  Don’t just cope with problems, but take them to the Lord.  Walk in Him and His victory.

            Don’t settle for less.

            And when the going get’s tough…

            You will be going.

By Chuck Carr