Jesus is Greater: Finding Strength in Hard Times

ByThe Soulful Spirit

Let’s be frank. Life is tough sometimes. Sometimes, life is flat-out hard. During these times, it can almost feel like an endless uphill battle. You can feel exhausted, like your responsibilities are too big and overwhelming… You can even feel weighed down by your setbacks, which can make you wonder if you have the strength to keep going. If you have ever felt like this…like giving up, know this… You are not alone. YOU are seen… YOU are LOVED… and can be strengthened by God who equips you to push through, get back on your horse and persevere through the hardest times. There is hope, (and not just in toxic positivity or fleeting optimism), BUT in the SOLID foundation of God’s unwavering and powerful promise.

jesus is greater

Now, if you have been on this earth for a while now, you know life is very unpredictable, and with wisdom, we come to find that challenges in life are just inevitable. Yes, our culture today often promotes quick fixes, fast satisfaction and excuses for problems instead of resilience. BUT, growth, success and transformation does not come easily. It requires deep faith, discipline and GRIT. I am not saying that quick fixes are not okay, or sometimes necessary, what I am saying though this should be the exception and not the rule. Building and growing ourselves on a solid rock foundation requires us to do the hardwork of grit and resilence.

Jesus illustrates this in the parable of the wise and the foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27:

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But, everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Jesus reminds us with this parable that life challenges do come, but if our foundation is in Christ, we will endure. If we place our faith and heart into the temporary things of this world (money, status, looks, social media likes and follows…) our house will fall. BUT if we anchor ourselves in Jesus, we will stand strong no matter what comes our way!

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us of this promise:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

jesus is greater

It is important to note that this verse does not guarantee that life will be without hardships. It actually offers assurance that God will sustain us, keep our foundation strong as we persevere. It calls us to endure, to lean into discipline and to remain steadfast in our faith.

Taking Responsibility for Your Life: Jesus is Greater

It is really easy to blame circumstances on external things, other people, organization, family, friends, the government or even the past and where we are in our life. And while it is true that sometimes external factors do influence us, we are ALWAYS responsible for how we respond to these factors.

The Bible teaches us personal responsibility. God does provide us with strength, but we must choose to trust and act upon it. There are a LOT of people who just wait for success, wait for healing, wait for spiritual growth, wait for money, for viral posts, for more followers, to become famous overnight…. desiring financial stability, without discipline, strong marriages and relationships, without effort and faith without action. But the Bible makes it clear that we reap what we sow.

“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

So, if we want transformation.. we must be willing to put in the work.

Isaiah 40:31 discusses renewing our strength. That word, “renew” shows that our strength will actually wane, BUT with God … it CAN be restored! Now, this does not happen by sitting idly… hoping for a breakthrough… a “get rich quick”… a “viral post”…. BUT it is actively seeking God and his presence and aligning our habits with HIS will and committing to growth.

Just as an athlete will train for their sport and endurance, we also must be disclipine in ALL aspects of our lives, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically to presevere through life’s ups and downs.

Grit: Pushing through the Storm Because Jesus is Greater

Grit is the ability to GET BACK ON YOUR HORSE through hardships with passion and determination. Psychologists describe it as a mix of resilience and endurance, but long before psychology coined the term, the Bible exemplified it. James 1:12 says, 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Life’s challenges will come—there’s no escaping them. But those who push through and remain faithful despite hardship will be strengthened. Think about the eagle mentioned in Isaiah 40:31.

Eagles don’t avoid storms; they use the wind to soar higher. Instead of retreating, they rise. That is the kind of grit God calls us to have.

If you are struggling financially, take responsibility and make wise choices to change your situation. If your relationships are strained, examine what you can do to grow instead of waiting for others to change. If you feel distant from God, take steps to seek Him…pray, read Scripture, and surround yourself with believers who will encourage your faith. The road won’t always be easy, but God strengthens those who refuse to quit.

jesus is greater

Rejecting the Victim Mindset: Because Jesus is Greater

Sadly, in today’s society… it often encourages victimhood, but Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that we are called to mount up with wings like eagles, not remain grounded in self-pity. While we must acknowledge real hardships, we must not allow them to define us or prevent us from moving forward.

God has given you the strength to rise above your circumstances. If you have been hurt, He will heal you, but you must choose forgiveness and growth. If you have failed, He offers redemption, but you must be willing to learn and try again. If you feel overwhelmed, He will sustain you, but you must take steps in faith.

Jesus didn’t come to make us comfortable; He came to set us free. Freedom requires responsibility. It requires choosing faith over fear, perseverance over passivity, and effort over excuses.

Jesus is Greater, So Keep Going

Life will test you… People may betray you. Life will make you feel uncomfortable, and challenges will arise. But you are not alone, and you are not powerless. Isaiah 40:31 assures us that God renews our strength, but it’s up to us to rise. We must reject passivity, embrace discipline, and develop the grit to push through life’s difficulties.

You may feel weak, but strength is built in the struggle. You may feel discouraged, but God is still working in you. Keep going. Keep praying. Keep showing up.

Because Jesus is greater, and in Him, you have everything you need to rise.

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis

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Jesus is greater