Don’t Run From Hardship
By Greg Sanders

1 Timothy 1:3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.

Is it possible that God would ask one of His followers to embrace hard times for His purpose? The answer is yes. Timothy, the apprentice of the apostle Paul, obviously wanted to leave Ephesus. Paul writes how he had to “urge” Timothy to stay put and deal with the headaches present. Timothy and Paul had been there together doing ministry and now Timothy is left there alone. Some of the leaders in the church were teaching things contrary to Scripture and it would be easier to leave than to confront what is going wrong.

Paul reminds Timothy that the purpose of the task is greater than our immediate personal comfort. Sometimes the hardship you face is the opportunity for God to use you to bring His power to that place. It is in the embracing of His will, no matter the difficulty, that you discover His power.

Many years ago a famous Arctic explorer put this ad in a London newspaper: “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” Thousands of men responded to the appeal because they were willing to embrace a difficult job when called to do so by a great leader.

Today’s Challenge: Realize that God has not called you to live a safe life or an easy life. He has called you to live a life that makes a difference for Him. Don’t allow hardship to convince you to abandon your call or purpose.