Why do Christians go through frustrations and hardship?
Today I answer the question, "A lot of Christians are going through frustrations and hardship, Why?" from David Pilato.
Here is a short answer. There are more answers in the word of God however this should suffice.
Romans 8:18-23
From Suffering to Glory
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. FOR THE CREATION WAS SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; BECAUSE CREATION ITSELF ALSO WILL BE DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANS AND LABORS WITH BIRTH PANGS together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Simply stated, the world which includes both the heavens (spirit realm) and earth (physical realm) are dying and will ultimately implode when God destroys it.
2 Peter 3:10-12
The Day of the Lord
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Our bodies are also subjected to futility hence we, our bodies, are dying. There is no escaping the consequences of the curse of Genesis 3.
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." 16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." 17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." Genesis 3:14-19
Furthermore, we are reaping the harvest of our individual sins and corporate sins. There is no escaping the consequences of sin.
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Don’t get the foolish idea that Christians don’t sin. That is not biblical.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.
1 John 1:8 - 2:2
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Here’s a test. The first and greatest commandment is Matthew 22:36-38
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment.
Have you ever truly done that in perfection as required by the Lord? Of course not, no one has nor can therefore we sin everyday all day. If you sin ONCE in your lifetime, you will forever need a Savior because the wrath of God upon ONE sin is forever.
Nevertheless, a true believer desires to obey that commandment and does all he can to do it. The true believer loves the word and commandments of the Lord and delight in obeying them.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You...20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times...47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes...97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day... 29 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments...145 I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes. 146 I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. 147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.
148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word...166 LORD, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments. 167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You...173 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. 174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments. Psalms 119:10-11, 20, 47-48, 97, 129-131, 145-148, 166-168, 173-176
This is the heart cry of every true believer. Our hope is not in God fixing my life in this world but in my going home to be with Him.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:18-19
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3
Ah LORD God, my Holy One, I shall not be satisfied until I awake in your likeness and presence. All to the praise of the glory of Your grace and the glory of Your great name. Amen