What if the absence of difficulties is not the sign of God’s present favour?

It’s a common Christian sentiment. Namely, if life is going well, then we’re receiving God’s blessing. His favour rests on us. And the opposite: if things are going badly, then something is wrong - potentially even between us and God.

At best, these sentiments are half true. It’s true for instance that any good we have comes from our good Father (James 1:17). And when good times come, we thank the Lord of good gifts!

But what if the absence of difficulties is not the sure sign of God’s present favour?

It wasn’t for our heavenly Father’s very Son. Can you remember all he suffered? But was not the Father’s favour and blessing on the Son? Of course it was! Matthew 3:17: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”  And so, the beloved Son of the Father would suffer. And he would suffer for our sakes, securing our freedom from sin and satan and death. And all part of the Father’s good will.

Consider the Apostles Paul and Peter in their following of Jesus. Think of our Lord’s words to Paul in his unique apostolic role, as Acts 9:16 says: I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. And yet for someone like the Paul, he suffers as a dearly loved son in the Son(Jesus), and for the Son.

Then for us, the saints in Christ, consider how often the Scriptures encourage God’s people to persevere (Hebrews 12:1-2; 10:36; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:12). Implying that many difficulties and hardships will come our way.

Reflect for instance on the prayer in Colossians 1:9-14. Here Paul asks that the saints are filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding SO THAT they may walk worth of the Lord, fully pleasing him. What will that look like? Four ways follow:

1.  Bearing fruit in every good work 

2. Growing in the knowledge of God,

3. Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience,

4.  Joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 

Can you see the four ways Paul wants these Christians to walk worthy of the Lord, and to fully please him? All four carry value to meditate on, but it’s number 3 I want to briefly draw our attention to. Because the third element Paul prays is for them to be strengthened with God’s power. Why though? We might be tempted to say: may we be strengthened with God’s power SO THAT we will overcome and be victorious. Or live a good life. Or one with no or little troubles.

But instead, Paul prays that they might be strengthened by God’s power SO THAT they may have great endurance and patience. You only need endurance and patience when things are tough, with hardships, trials, and difficulties. So, Paul is praying that, as God’s beloved people, and as a way of walking worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, we might be people who (by his strength) endure and patiently persevere.

Here, the absence of difficulties is NOT the sure sign of God’s present favour. No, it’s much more meaningful. Because in the difficulties God’s people prove that God can keep them, weak as they are. And in those difficulties, they’re undoubtedly being increasingly shaped in the image of the One who has saved them. The One who, in the trials and difficulties  faced for our salvation, kept looking to his Father and relying on the Spirit.

What difference could this make to our lives in Christ?

Let me suggest 4:

1. We can reconsider what is and isn’t God’s blessing and favour. And perhaps recognise that our common sentiments are often simply sheer worldliness or religion.

2. We can focus on the assurance that comes less from what circumstances we face, and more from the Christ we trust in. My assurance is fixed on Christ, not my changing circumstances. The former brings security, the latter insecurity.

3. We can recognise that God cares more about our character – something often forged through tough circumstances - than he cares about our comfort! Character matters much more. This could change what we pursue: character over comfort and a worry-free life.

4. We can realise that God is good, and good to us, with or without sufferings and hardships. He remains constant – and that must shape our prayers and trust in him, regardless of situations.

Our dear Heavenly Father, please help us grow in our understanding of how hardships and difficulties operate in the Christian life. Keep us from merely worldly and religious opinions. Instead root us firmly in the deep assurance of life lived with you in Christ – come hell or high waters. And as, by your grace, we cling to you, keep growing our character, maturing us, in the things that truly matter. We need your help and ask for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.