Life is difficult.

So reads the opening line of The Road Less Traveled, a book by M. Scott Peck, M.D. According to this author, once we understand and accept this truth, life will no longer be as difficult. Our problems lie, not just in the hardships we face, but in our belief that life should be easy.

Does this ring true for you? It sure does for me. Lately I’ve been walking through an uneasy time. Heartbreaking decisions must be made ~ and I don’t want to make them. I’ve begun to question why I need to walk this path right now. It just feels so wrong.

And when something feels wrong, someone must be to blame. Usually I find some way to blame myself for things gone awry:

If I had just prayed a little more…
If I just worked a little bit harder on that project…
If I had been less selfish, or more generous…

The list can go on and on. Sometimes I do need to take responsibility. My sinful choices carry consequences. But sometimes, because we live in a fallen world, bad things happen randomly. While this can be a scary truth, Jesus offers us some encouragement when we find ourselves in this situation. 

He and His disciples noticed a man who had been blind from birth. Like me, the disciples assumed this man’s suffering had been caused by someone’s sin:

His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 NIV)

The disciples didn’t even entertain the idea of another cause for the suffering. Their only question: whose sin caused this? So often I fall into the same trap; I forget there could be other reasons. 

Jesus’ response challenges my thinking, just as I’m sure it did theirs:

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:3 NIV)

Sometimes suffering comes into our lives so we can display the works of God. In the case of the blind man, Jesus gave him his sight. As a result of this miracle, some people could see God working through Jesus (John 9:16). 

Jesus told us we would face trouble in this world. But He also encourages us with these words, “But take heart! I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33b NIV). 

Yes, life at times is difficult. But that’s okay because Jesus walks with us in every hard season of our lives. 

And because He does, we can have peace in the turmoil. We also become a powerful witness for Him. Everyone around us has problems. We instill hope when they can see how God is helping us face our troubles.  

Wherever the road leads me next, I’m sure there will be more difficult situations to be faced. I pray to keep my eyes on the One who overcame the world. Wherever your path takes you, I pray you can do the same.