HARDSHIP

StevJethro O.E

This work is still in progress, it has being released for edification of the reader and possible criticism. Send your comments and criticism to stevjethro@gmail.com or stev2rjethro@yahoo.com my Phone numbers are +2348066007310, +2348077044454

Lord Jesus, I love you.

One would reason that things should be easy and smooth for Children of God; that since our Father is the Creator and controller of the Universe; the unquestionable God; the All-sufficient and Allpowerful God, who enthrones and dethrones kings and government; the one who sets times and seasons. So life should be bed of roses for those called by his name. But fortunately or unfortunately it is not. Gods children still pass through all kinds of hardship. Why does God allow hardship? TO TEST Most often, we tend to live lives that are different from our professions; our doctrinal belief or better still we dont know the implication of our profession. If we claim to love God, what can we endure for him? How far can we go and still remain faithful to him? Are we not conditional Christians? Job passed his test, but what about his wife? She counseled her to curse God Job 2:9. The reason God allowed the children of Israel to pass through hardship in the wilderness was to humble them and to test what was in their hearts. Deut.8:2, 3. He has not changed his method of operation yet. It is in us much of the time to come to God because of our needs and not because we love him. Little wonder, we prefer to let go of God than things he has given us. We contemplate comprise and backsliding when we are faced with harsh conditions; we doubt his love and goodwill for us. God wants to bring his children to the point where their joy and satisfaction does not come from the things they have or hope to have, but from the God who gives and takes those things; not from their situations, but from the God who controls their circumstances; not from success or heights the have attained, but from the God who prospers their works; not even from ministry, spiritual gifts, integrity or anything else, but from the God from whom and to whom these things flows. Hardship comes to check or test these. TO PROMOTE Job was blessed with twice as much as he had before his season of hardship and testing. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. And so when a man is recommended for promotion, things become critical/tight around him to ascertain whether or not, he is qualified for it. For Joseph, it was so tight that an impatient mind would have concluded that God was no longer aware or even faithful to Joseph or that God was no longer in control; that maybe his control does not extend to Egypt; that the situation was beyond him. But far from it! The hardship was a positioning for up-liftment; a spring board for soaring to the fulfillment of what God has promised and shown Joseph in the dream. The people who compromise or backslide during their hardship proved themselves unfit for the intended promotion. They saw with their enemy and lost sight of God. When Nebuchadnezzar put Shedrach, Mesharch and Abednego into the fiery furnace, he wanted or expected it to burn them and why not, after all, fire burns and kills. Infact, the furnace killed the men who threw them into it. This is also the wish of the enemy for us; that our hardship should consume us, but God has a better plan for those that will stand for him. Isa. 43:1-7. FOR A MESSAGE AND AN IDENTITY This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. I Pet.2:21 (TLB). Since it has pleased God that the author of our salvation should earn our salvation through suffering, it has become an identity for every one called by his name to suffer. It is a mark of honour to suffer for Christ. For if the World hates our master, and killed him. We can not expect a more favourable disposition. One thing common to Christ, his disciples and followers; the early church is suffering. So even though it cannot be sweet, suffering for him should tell us that we are truly his own. Suffering is also a message for our generation and those to come. Because the three Hebrew boys stood in their hardship, Nebuchadnezzar declared for no other god can save in this way. Dan.3:29. They became a message to their generation and those after them, that God can be trusted; that he doesnt disappoint or leave those who trust and stand for him; that he controls the

Earth and its elements. For Ezekiel, God allowed him to pass through the torment of loosing his wife to death and told him not to cry, for a message to his generation. God allows his Children to go through hardship for a message; to make an eternal impact/benefit to those in the World. Hardship passes the message that, no matter the condition, we will serve our king and master; that nothing will separate us from his love. Rom.8:35-39; that we have a hope that does not fail; that there is a life beyond the shores of the four corner of this Earth; that eternity with the creator is real and possible. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is eternal. II Cor.4:16-18 (NIV). ACCUSATIONS The wicked accuse; the godly defend. Prov.12: 6 (TLB) Accusation is a form of hardship. It is a scandalous move Satan; it is an ant-revival device; It fights its emergence or seeks to stop it. Two things are clear about accusations: 1. It thrives when/where men are asleep or not vigilant; when the place of prayer and personal quiet time has been forsaken or termed boring, burdensome or it becomes a mindless routines; when men do not walk with God or listen to him anymore, So that the enemy has a freehand. It shows, the wheat is forming ears. The enemy does not bother himself with people who are not threats or potential threats to him. So when he is becoming particular about a man or a season/period in time, singling him/it out as a target of his attacks, then there is a threat or potential treat to his kingdom from there. Therefore accusation should make you straighten up; take heed to yourself; sharpen up; be more focused; be alert; dont shrink; Accusation is an insinuation or a statement that a person is guilty of doing something wrong, deserving punishment, withdrawal of trust or seclusion. Suspicion and fault finding go hand in hand with accusations. God is not the source of accusation. Accusation is master minded by Satan, the accuser of our brethren. Rev.12:10-12. It is a weapon. It breeds distrust, hatred, division, bitterness etc. It can cause backsliding or slow down the move of God. As much as we can, we ought to live above it. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day the visits us. I Pet.2:12 (NIV). Accusations are of two types: False accusation, in which case, the father of lies speaks his native language concerning a man, of what he knows nothing about. Joseph was a victim of this kind of accusation. Partial accusations. Joshua the High Priest in Zechariah three was not falsely accused, because he was really wearing a filthy garment. What made it an accusation that it was not what God was saying concerning Joshua the high priest. In this type of accusation, the accused cannot be said to be totally exonerated; he knows something about what he is being accused of. It might be an exaggerated or distorted view or just presented from the enemys view and for his purpose. It can also be an uncovering/re-visitation of a man past sin from which he has repented and received pardon from God.

2.

The enemy can sometimes arrange a situation or scenario for a man or put him in such a predicament that almost no one will believe otherwise. He makes it so fitting and suspecting that it will take only God to exonerate that man. Accusations are usually first and foremost, a spiritual battle which manifest in other ways. This is why it is difficult to run away from it. It practically follows you to anywhere you run to or the enemy arranges another one for you there. Now, the purpose of God in reminding us of judgment or of an impending condemnation is not first to bring a message of hopelessness, but to stimulate a change of heart; to stimulate repentance. Isa 42:23-25 (TLB). But Satan has the target of making man feel hopeless, unpardonable, beyond redemption etc. thus rendering the man inactive, leaving him in darkness and misery with no way out. This can help us understand who is doing what. The enemys aim in bringing accusations is to isolate a man away in a dungeon or prison which may or may not be physical. Either way, the principle and purpose is the same. 1. TO SILENCE

When a man is imprisoned no one hears his voice in the streets or in the gates any longer. He is forgotten, written off, distrusted; no one makes reference to him. When those he was ministering to, become disappointed. Jeremiah was sent to prison to silence him. The message of God that he was delivering to the people of his generation and their king was not the type thy wanted to hear, so they decided to close his mouth. Jer.38. Also when Naboth refused the king the use of his inherited vineyard for a vegetable garden, Jezebel concluded that Naboth was unbearably loud and needed to be silenced. And guess what, it was the tool of accusation she used; he was stoned to death by the people (his brethren) following an accusation during a fast. II Kings 21 So also when a man is becoming unbearable loud to the Devil; posing a threat to the kingdom of darkness; when he refuses to exchange the sound doctrine of the word of God for vegetable messages and convenience gospel, both in words and in deeds, and no other strategy is succeeding against him, the enemy uses the tool of accusation to try to silence him. Paul the apostle, John the Baptist, the apostles of Christ, the early Church/Christians also suffered this attempts to silence them. At one point Peter and John were commanded to keep quiet; not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:18 (NIV). Josephs brothers said of him, then well see what comes of his dreams. Gen.37:20. But the reply of Peter and John to their persecutors is outstanding and should be ours. Judge for yourselves whether it is right in Gods sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19, 20 (NIV). So dont yield; dont keep quiet; dont change your life style and message; dont backslide, else the enemy might silence you forever in death or false doctrine. Become more effective; add prayer to your loud voice; be more committed to ministry as much as you have opportunity. Like Joseph, Paul and Silas etc, let the smoke of your service to God issue from your prison to God. 2. DEPRESSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT

Depression and discouragement are themselves assault from the pit of hell, the same source of accusations. The enemy tells you, there is no hope; that God has forgotten you; that you will never get out of this; that you will not be able to do what you used to do again; that you will never be trusted again; that you have failed and so many others. Although you know God is Almighty and nothing happens especially to his children without his knowledge and approval. Lam.3:37. But you begin to calculate that if Satan can just torment you anyhow and anytime he likes (which is not true), then maybe you have been wrong about God all the while; you feel insecure; no one seems to understand or appreciate you anymore; you become touchy and fault finding against your God and brethren. Thoughts of suicide even torment some people in this time, adding their voice to the enemys and asking, where is God? Satan is a liar! He is one bombarding you; it is his strategy to get you down. Dont allow him. John the Baptist in a near state sent his disciples to Jesus from his prison. Jesus sent back to him, blessed is

the man who does not fall on account of me. (NIV), who dont doubt me. (TLB). Matt.11:2-6. The truth is, God does not forsake his own; he promised never to leave or forsake us and he means it. Lie Job, we must learn not to hold tightly to anything that does have valve, which does not exclude our mortal lives. We must not love our lives or anything else, as to shrink from death for the Lord on account of, if we must overcome. Rev. 12:11. 3. LUKEWARMNESS AND BACKSLIDING

Human government put people in prison so that they will change their attitude and ways of life. When the enemy isolates men in prison, he also looks forward to a change of attitude and way of life. A change of attitude and way of life for a fervent Child of God, in the enemys view will be Luke-warmness and backsliding. The enemys ultimate goal for isolation is to permanently silence the child of God in a backslidden state and subsequently unfulfilled death. Concerning Job, Satan told God two times, and he will surely curse you to your face. And he used everything within his reach/power to try to achieve that aim, which is still what he does against the children of God. Luke-warmness and backsliding does not happen suddenly, it happens gradually and sometimes slowly. The expectation of God is that you will stand. He knows you can overcome that is why he allowed it your way. Even if everybody disappoints you: the church, your pastor and brethren. Hold on to God, they are not the ones you serve nor are they the reason you came to God in the first place. We are not of them that fall a side and are destroyed. God has higher level of operation and blessing for you if only you will stand. Stand on the promises of God; encourage yourself in God; sink yourself into intensive personal study of Gods word and hold unto him tightly, and then you will discover that God indeed cannot fail!!! Heb.6:18-20; Ps.42 and 130. These are only some of the purposes Satan in bringing accusations on Men. Others can be deduce from the tendencies and peculiarities of a man in prison and isolation. Our brethren who have gone before us endured and came out of their prisons better. Joseph, Daniel, John the Baptist, Paul, Peter etc and God does not less from us. His expectations of us are not beyond us; they are not too much for us because God knows our frame. Ps. 139:13-16. TOOLS OF ACCUSATIONS The particular tools of accusation vary with the situation, yet one thing is certain, the Devil uses any effective tool that is available to him on any occasion for his schemes. The tools are numerous ranging from inanimate things, events/situations, fact finding methods, traditions etc. some of the tools seem sacred or to have come from God, like the fire of God that fell from the sky as reported by one Jobs servant. Other tools are living things: animals and man. In using man, the accuser Satan appeals to their greed and selfishness. He shows them what they can gain. Man can be seen in this respect under three categories: AGENTS An agent is a person who represents and works for the interest of another person or organization in a place, his activities may or may not secret, depending on the kind of interest he represents. Some organization disowns their secret agents once they are discovered. Satan also has agents all over the globe. They consciously represent his interest in the place they have been strategically placed and allocation/resources for their assignments are provided them adequately. The activities of some of them and the interest they represent are known to those who care to know. These could include Spiritists, occultists, fortune tellers, traditional priests, magicians, etc. yet, there are some agents who are secret agents. Their activities and interest are secret or are not clear to us; they carry out their missions in the dark. Agents of Satan do not only consciously work for him, but also seek to introduce or initiate or entrap others to the service of their master. They are positioned almost everywhere: In government,

media, schools, hospitals, churches and church leadership; they are in our neighbourhood; they are our colleagues at work schools etc. They often know fervent children of God once they see them and hate them for no just cause; they secretly and subtly oppose anything that is godly and are supporters of false doctrines in churches. These are also ready vessels in the hands of Satan for his purposes, which do not exclude accusations. They serve Satan for a reward in this World and deceptively, for eternity. Every agents of Satan are under a spell of deception. It takes God to open our eyes to eyes the kind of people we come in contact with on a daily basis; some of them even take the cover of friendship. For those of them whose interest and activities are obvious, people still go to them for consultations because they sometimes tell the facts and can thus be scarcely detected when they do otherwise. UNBELIEVERS Unbeliever are men who have not come to the saving knowledge of the Son of God, they have no hope of eternity with their creator and are less concerned about it. In the spirit realm, which controls the physical, there is no neutrality. You are either a Child of Cod or you are on Satans side. The idea of neutrality is a deception of Satan to continue to control and manipulate those who will not willingly submit to the authourity of the Son of God Jesus Christ these men just like the agents are ready vessels in the hand of Satan, the difference being that the other second does it ignorantly without a bargained reward. Or tell me who controls the unbeliever, themselves? Why do they look relatively free and untroubled only to be withdrawn suddenly like animals? Why are they comfortable with everything but the true Gospel of Christ? They are manipulated by the god of this World. Unsaved men or unbelievers also include nominal or hypocritical Christians. Men who are with us but are of us; men who stood still while the cloud of Gods leadership moved up; men who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof; men whose spiritual value system is wrong; men who handle spiritual things with levity; men who are insensitive and irresponsive to what the Spirit of God is saying. These are equally useable tools for the accuser. The only pathetic thing for these neutralist is that there are no more bearable hell; there is no place that is between heaven and hell. CHRISTIANS This is the most surprising category of the tools of accusation. These are men who can be truly considered as Children of God. The accusations and distrust from this group can be very painful and provoke depressions and discouragement even more. One is tempted to conclude that since these are children of God, their view must always reflect the views of God (this ought to be, but is not always the case); we feel since this brother says this, God must be behind our unpleasant plight. But far from it! Any Christian who is not vigilant sensitive, per time, to the leading of the Holy Spirit can represent the interest of the enemy at any point in time. This calls for care and to test every spirit at every time. There are spirits behind everything that happens, or seek to happen. That is the spirit to be tested; does it submit to Jesus Christ; does it agree with the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God come in flesh (both in words and implication/consequences)? I John 4:1-3. Sometime it is greed and vain glorify that lead Christians in such vices. Does he think he is the only one that hears God or that God uses? He doesnt listen; I know this will happen all the while; look at that small boy, who does he think he is? And many such comments, coming from fellow Christians and Men of God. Where is the love that binds us together? Where is the act of bearing one anothers burden? Since we are members of one another, we should be touched by the disgrace or undoing of one another; the failures and backsliding of our brethren should drive us to the place of prayers and availing ourselves for the use of the enemy of our faith and soul. We are in a time when persecution does not come much from the unbeliever as it does from amongst brethren and the Church. There is no room for competition for attention and glory in the body of Christ, we our act as we have been given grace and draw attention and glory only to our head which is Christ Jesus. The Church,

which forms the other parts of the body of Christ, is a collection of Bible believing, growing born again Christians, whose focus is heaven; goal is bringing glory to the author of our salvation, she cuts across denominations, races, languages and generations. We need one another in this quest of enthroning our King Jesus Christ on Earth. We therefore need to show love, care and concern to our erring brothers even if thats what is happening to them. The reason we love as Christians is not first for any other thing, but that they are a target or victim or benefactor of our Masters love, and this does not exclude our brethren. Pray and care accused brethren as you would someone in prison; pray that God would help them and uphold them. It is Gods grace that differentiates those standing and the fallen or backslidden, and who knows the next target? It was only the people (unbelievers) that rejoiced when James was killed and Peter was imprisoned, the Church was praying even while Peter was sleeping. Little wonder, an Angel was sent to rescue Peter. Acts 12 God still does miracles; he still sends Angels so pray for them. Gentiles by birth, like Ebed-Melech, King Darius, Josephs prison warder etc were favourably disposed to accused Children of God in isolation, how much more should Christian be! HANDLING SCARS OF HARDSHIP Scars are marks left by wounds on a skin after healing. Although you no longer feel the pains of the wound, but the scars reminds you that you had a wound. With just a glance at it, volumes come to mind. How you were before the wound came; who inflicted the injury or how you got the wound; the places you went for remedy and the medications you applied; the resources you wasted on the wound; the pains you felt, how you couldnt sleep sometimes; how it was healed etc. some wounds do not leave scars while the scar of other last a lifetime. But scars are easily erased from childrens body because of their tender, growing, flexible... nature. Accusations, like physical wounds, leave scars, depending on the size and depth of the accusation. And with just a thought, memories rush back: memories of how helpless on can seem in the hands of the enemy; how unreliable and untrustworthy some brethren can be; even though you have forgiven most of them, these memories cast doubts in your heart on their professed love and care; it makes you cautious and sometimes withdrawn in dealing with them. Some people even vow never to trust any brother any more, thereby generalizing and isolating ones self from true fellowship with other brothers. Scars can be hurting; sometimes you wished you could erase the scar or that you never had the scar. But the sooner you come to agree the truth that you wouldnt have been the same without the wound and consequently the scar, the better for you. If you have gone through your period of crisis with God and have been paying attention to his instruction, you will know that you are indeed better off. Many have testified to God has made them what they become through their period of testing and adversity. How we handle scars can go along way in making us flexible and useful in the hands of God and in relating to men. It was the scars on his hands and side that Jesus used to convince doubting Thomas of his resurrection. Scars and the word of God help us to know how to treat people in situations similar to what we were in helping them out of their dungeon and/or consoling them. It helps know people and their spiritual level, so that we can relate with every one at their level, not expecting too much from any man. Dont allow scars to fire the urge for revenge or be a mark of negative reference or a means of habouring a spirit of un-forgiveness and bitterness towards people. We must learn to grow above these; we must learn to be like a child, so that we can be useful in the vineyard of the one who called us. Prayer is very vital in handling scars. You must learn to pour out your heart first, to God; tell how it hurts and that he should help you to truly let go. Prayer is a two way communion between God and his children. In our Christian walk, we cannot do without prayer. We must no assume that God knows (even though he actually does). Involve him in your affairs, commit everything to him and go through everything with him in prayer. Dont complain or grumble but pray. God hears prayers, so expect the answers. Go through it the ways he wants and tells you, so that you can make the best out of every opportunity.

FORGIVE THEM The Devil doesnt have good plans for any one! He also out wises every man in his normal human capacity, and beside God, there is no known one that can tackle the Devil. Some men that are used as tools of accusation did not know what they were doing in full measure, and even for those who masterminded or planned it, did not fathom the scope it went to. They were only used and dumped. For example, Judas Iscariot probably didnt foresee the level his betrayal could take Jesus, and so the plan must have been orchestrated by a power greater and more intelligent than him, so that he was only a part of the plan and imagine what he got for doing his part, 30 pieces of silver, which he did not spend. He then hung himself, which was not part of his initial plan but probably, the enemy foresaw the possibility. This is the picture of every man used by Satan as a tool of accusation and that is how we ought to see them; the enemy took advantage of their spiritual vulnerability to execute his evil plans. So we ought to forgive them. Forgiveness may not be easy, but it a command and so we cant do without it. Besides, our forgiving our neighbour is an incomparable imitation of the forgiveness God so bountifully lavished on us. Each time you have opportunity to forgive, it is an opportunity to be like God, the ultimate forgiver. Jesus Christ forgave while he was still feeling pains on the cross; Stephen followed his footsteps and many others, and God does not expect less from us. When you find it difficult to forgive, pray that God should help you forgive, and do as he tells you. Infact, true forgiveness can only be done through prayers. Most often, harbouring un-forgiveness and bitterness does more harm to the one carrying it: your prayers are not answered; you are not forgiven by God; you are unstable in your emotion; you are troubled which sometimes lead to ill-health; you are open to use by the Devil etc. a test of forgiveness is your ability to sincerely pray for them from your heart; to love them, and not find reason to always antagonize them in words or in deed; to look to their welfare as long as you have the opportunity. In that way, you have become a message of the love of God to them which will definitely yield fruits, either now or in the near future. FORGIVE YOURSELF Sometimes, it is easier to forgive others than to forgive yourself. Even though you know God has forgiven you and lifted you from the tunnel, you are still bound in your mind with the feeling of guilt, worthlessness and bitterness towards yourself. Satan is so good at his work of accusation that when he accuses a man, it blends so much and even if you have gotten out he will try to do by guilt what he couldnt do by accusations. Who could have believed Joseph with his clothe in Mrs. Potiphars hand and after what she said? You begin to blame yourself: why did I do this; why didnt I discern it before it happened One thing you need to understand is that God is not the source of that feeling of guilt, hurt, worthlessness or bitterness. Even if you were guilty and you confessed and have forsaken it, God has forgiven you and does not remember it any more. Isa.43:25. So he wouldnt turn around again to condemn you; He has declared you not guilty and so who can condemn you? Rom.8:33, 34. See yourself in the light of Gods word; let his picture of you be your picture of yourself; for the views and thoughts of every other person, including the Devil, about you is irrelevant and inconsequential, forgive yourself. Most often, these thoughts of guilt come using personal articles such as I, me, my, we, us, ours etc. as though it originates from you. Its a lie; rebuke the real source vehemently, in the name of Jesus. It is the enemy, his mission is to steal, to kill and to destroy and that is what he wants to achieve in your life. He can only get at you if you allow him. Be kind to yourself; love yourself because God does love you; forgive yourself. SEE GOD

Much of the time, in your period of accusation or hardship, you find it difficult to see God in it or what he is doing; you are uncertain if God is in it or still in control; your vision is dim. But after it is all over, you seem to have just waken up from a dream, your vision becomes clear and you understand better why God had allowed it your way; you begin to discover afresh, how God had been in it all the while and how he has been helping you not to stray from his purpose. The truth is that, no matter the source, depth or intensity of an accusation or hardship, it came because God allowed it. And he is mighty and sufficient, that darkness and night is as light to him. Ps. 139:12. So that no matter how terrible the hardship or accusation had been or how evil the Prince of darkness masterminded it, God is able and does make his glory seen in it and maximize it for your utmost good. Rom.8:28 At such when you discover God in it, learn not to take your eyes off him, so that anytime the scars comes to mind, you will remember God and acknowledge him: his mightiness, his supremacy, his love, his good plans and purpose for us even when we do not know, fathom or understand and ask for it; his All-encompassing Power if God only deals with us as we deserve, think, understand or ask for, we wouldnt have attained some heights in life and ministry. He does for us by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. Ephe.3:20. In handling his scars, Joseph wept, but told his brothers, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me hereit was not you who sent me here, but GodGen.45:2-8. People might have felt that God had opened a way for Joseph to revenge; to avenge himself on his brothers and all who offended him, but not Joseph, even when his father died and his brothers were afraid. He said, am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good Gen.50:19-20. Job also saw God at the end of his season of hardship and accusations, he said I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2. When you learn to see God, you begin to see all creation as vessels that, beyond their understanding were/are used of God to work his purposes and plans. This helps us to be able to handle scars with less pain. In conclusion of this chapter, we must know that when God says he loves us, he is not joking neither is he lying; he does not love us because he is afraid or compelled to love or because he doesnt know what is ahead; his love is not partial, shallow or hypocritical; it is sincere, real, deep, total and eternal. We need to settle this in our minds. God always means the best for his children. One of our problem is that of short sight, we hardly see beyond our nose; we are insensitive or do not know what is good for us so that we fight and reject things that are for our utmost good. We need to learn to trust God in all things and seek his face to know and understand his will. So that we can maximize the things he allows our way. It is in his presence that we know what is from him and what to fight in faith.