Resources/Articles
When The Going Gets Rough
Whosoever does not carry his own cross and
come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
Think about the church, your life, your spirituality, your family, and your work as you read this message.
Life is not always smooth sailing. It can get bumpy. There are three things we can do when the going gets rough:
1. RESIGN. When you look through the Bible, how many gave up when the way got rough? Demas, Judas, Peter, and many of the children of Israel? It may surprise you the number of people who have “lead the parade” when the going is smooth and everything is in order. Let difficult times come, and they are nowhere to be found. They check out. They never show any “fight” to their faith. They were just along for the ride.
2. Become RESIGNED. Aaron tried to excuse the idolatry of Israel to Moses by saying, “Thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil” (Exodus 32:22). Should Moses have accepted their conduct because of how Aaron viewed the people? Do we cry and weep about the present conditions of the world and its values and repeatedly say, “It has always been this way and always will be this way”? Few want to put forth any sweat to make things better. It is easy to accept things as they are and not try to make them any better. It is easy to become resigned. The advantage to this is we can quit without really checking out. We can look like and talk like we are concerned, but do nothing.
3. Become RE-SIGNED. When trouble comes, I want my God to know He can count on me. Rough times are something I must accept as part of the price of being a disciple (Luke 14:27). God did not run out on me when the going got tough at the cross. He did not back up. Jesus stuck it out for you and me. It stands to reason that it would be mighty little on my part if I backed out on Him when the going got rough. I want God to know He can count on me to never stop. Daniel could have stopped. Peter and Paul could have. Paul had a lot of people give up on him (2 Timothy 4:16), but he said, “The Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed” (v. 17).
What will you do when the way gets rough? Resign, become resigned, or re-sign?
