Moving Forward in Adversity
Our Christian journey is not always a smooth and easy path. Just as the journey of faith includes blessings, joy, and victories, it can also include trials, difficult circumstances, tears, and disappointments. Sometimes, problems may suddenly enter our lives at unexpected moments. We may feel as though the way ahead is blocked, our prayers are unanswered, or God has become silent.
Yet, trials are not the end of our journey; rather, they are opportunities to depend more deeply on God.
There may be times when unexpected storms arise in our lives. Financial difficulties, family problems, health challenges, ministry struggles, relationship difficulties, and concerns about the future can all test our faith. However, more important than the strength of the storm is the presence of God who is with us in the midst of it.
The presence of a storm does not mean that God has abandoned us. Rather, through such experiences, we can gain a deeper awareness of God’s presence with us even in the midst of the storm.
When we face difficulties, our natural response may be to step back or give up. Some may stop praying. Others may withdraw from the church and from God’s people. Some may begin to think, “I cannot go on any longer.”
But the Word of God strongly calls us to move forward:
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1–2
The Word of God calls us to run our race faithfully and with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
When our eyes are focused on our problems, fear increases. But when our eyes are fixed on Jesus, our hope grows.
Our focus should not be on how great our problem is, but on how great our God is.
When we study the life of the Apostle Paul, it becomes very clear that the Christian journey can involve many adversities. Paul experienced persecution, hunger, thirst, dishonor, various dangers, imprisonment, and shipwreck. Yet he declared:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13–14
Paul’s eyes were not fixed on his past failures or painful experiences. His eyes were fixed on the goal.
In the same way, we should not allow the failures of our past to hold us captive. The painful experiences we have gone through should not determine our future. We must continue moving toward the purpose and calling to which God has called us.
When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and continue moving forward, the path ahead becomes clearer.
The incident of Peter walking on the water is a beautiful example of this truth. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the water. But when he looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink.
There is a great lesson for us in this experience. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, our faith grows stronger. But when we focus only on our problems, fear begins to grow within us, and we may lose the courage to reach where God is leading us.
We may not always be able to move forward only after every difficulty has been removed. In some situations, we have to move forward through the very midst of our difficulties.
Faith does not mean living a life without problems or trials. Faith means moving forward with confidence, even in the midst of problems and trials, knowing that God is with us.
The Christian life is not a short journey; it is a lifelong journey of faith. For the person who continues to move forward with his or her eyes fixed on Jesus, every difficulty along the journey can become a new spiritual experience.
Every tear can become a seed of testimony.
Every failure can become an opportunity to experience God’s grace more deeply.
Every trial can become an opportunity to grow stronger in faith.
If you are going through a difficult season today, do not lose heart. The storm may be strong. The road may be difficult. The answer may seem delayed. Yet, God is with you.
Therefore, do not remain focused on the past. Do not allow fear to control you. Do not focus only on your problems. Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus and keep moving forward toward the goal.
Trials are not meant to destroy us; God can use them to make us stronger.
Storms do not have to stop us; they can prepare us to move forward with greater determination toward the purpose God has set before us.
Therefore, let us not lose heart. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and continue moving forward in faith.
May the Lord give us the grace to remain steadfast, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to move forward without losing heart, whatever storms we may face along the way.
Amen.