Not long ago, my pastor shared a perspective that caught me off guard: he suggested that when it’s God’s will for you to face a tough season, accept it and ask Him what lessons you’re meant to learn. At first, I disliked this idea. It felt harsh. Why would anyone want to learn from pain? I wondered if my pastor really understood what I was going through. For a few weeks, I tried to ”cast out” the devil and rid myself of these struggles. But eventually, I approached my situation differently—not embracing the hardship forever but changing my attitude towards it. Surprisingly, as I did, everything became clearer, and my faith grew stronger.

Where Our Focus Lies

When we face hardships—whatever form they take—it’s easy to lose our peace. Once peace slips away, anxiety sneaks in and suddenly the problem overshadows everything else. In times like these, our focus narrows to the challenge at hand instead of the One who guides us. This is where Jesus’ example stands out. Throughout the Bible, we see His remarkable calmness and composure in the face of adversity.

Learning from Jesus’ Calm Confidence

                  1.             Sleeping in the Storm (Mark 4:35-41):

While the disciples panicked during a fierce storm, Jesus slept soundly in the boat. He was fully aware of the situation, yet He remained at peace. When they finally woke Him, their fear was met with His authority over the wind and waves.

                  2.             Facing Betrayal with Poise (Luke 22:47-53):

When Judas betrayed Jesus, leading the guards to arrest Him, Jesus did not resist. He did not panic or defend Himself. He faced His accusers with quiet strength, fully trusting in God’s plan.

                  3.             Feeding the Multitude (Matthew 14:13-21):

Confronted with a crowd of over 5,000 hungry people, Jesus didn’t fret. He calmly instructed His disciples to feed them. Even when told they had only five loaves and two fishes, Jesus gave thanks and trusted in God’s provision. The result was a miraculous abundance.

The Source of Jesus’ Assurance

What allowed Jesus to remain so peaceful? John 13:3 reveals that He knew the Father had placed all things under His power. He understood His origin and His destiny—He knew exactly who He was and whose He was. This unwavering faith in the Father is what we often struggle to embrace. Even the disciples, who witnessed countless miracles, failed at times to trust fully.

We share this struggle today. Instead of focusing on Christ, we often zero in on the storm. But remember, faith comes from the very One who slept through the storm, who healed the sick, and who fed the hungry multitudes. When we put our trust in Christ—the author of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)—our perspective changes. The problem doesn’t disappear instantly, but it loses its power to rob us of peace.

A Necessary Part of Growth

Let’s be honest: nobody enjoys facing trials. Yet, since the fall of humanity, hardship has become part of our journey. For those who love Christ and seek transformation, challenges become steppingstones. In John 16:33, Jesus acknowledges that we will face tribulations, but He also says to take heart because He has overcome the world. His victory is our reason for hope.

When the pain lingers longer than expected, when shame threatens to creep in, when weariness sets in, and when we can’t even describe our struggle—don’t give up. Instead, hold tight to the faith that nudges you to pray more, seek Jesus’ light, and believe that tomorrow will be better. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us that God is with us, strengthening us and granting us victory. Trials may be unavoidable at times, but we are never alone in them. Trust that the end will be greater than the present difficulty.

From Trials to Blessings

God, our faithful Father, transforms trials into blessings in ways beyond our understanding. Consider Joseph’s story: sold into slavery by his brothers, he rose to become Egypt’ s second-in-command and ultimately saved his own family from famine. Who could have imagined such an outcome?

God is the master weaver, crafting a tapestry we cannot fully see. Our role is not to figure out how He will do it, but to trust that He can and will. When we endure hardships with faith, peace, and steadfast focus on Christ, we emerge stronger, wiser, and closer to God than ever before.

In Conclusion

Challenges are part of our earthly journey, but they don’t have to define it. As we shift our gaze from the problem to the Problem-Solver, from the storm to the One who can calm it, we discover a peace that passes understanding and a faith that flourishes under pressure. In God’ s hands, even our hardest seasons can yield unexpected blessings.