Standing Tall Through Tough Times

​What do you do when tough times come your way?
How do you handle tough times when no one stands alongside to help you through?
Two tough questions that need honest answers.

Truth be told: Nobody likes tough times. Tough times are trying times. Tough times are testing times. Tough times can be very lonely times. Tough times will bring out the worst or the best in us. Tough times can bury us. Or tough times can carry us into the presence of the Lord.
 
The apostle Paul, in his parting words to Timothy, tells us how he responded when times turned tough.
 
“At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.”  II Timothy 4:16-17
 
Before you read on, go to your Bible and read II Corinthians 11:22-33. Paul experienced a lifetime of tough times ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Paul was called to defend his ministry before the Jewish and Roman authorities. No one accompanied or defended him. Believe me, it is so much easier to take a stand when there is someone to stand up with us.
 
But no man stood tall with Paul. Paul was not bitter. He did not hold anything against those who deserted him. The apostle of grace was gracious. He knew from experience that men do not always come through for us during tough times.
 
Not to be discouraged or deterred, Paul determined to stand tall for His Savior. Though alone in the natural, Paul stood firm in his faith. He witnessed powerfully and persuasively for the Lord Jesus Christ.  
 
How did Paul pull that off?
 
He was strengthened supernaturally because the Lord stood with Him. What a great testimony! “But the Lord stood with me.” The Lord of glory, the Creator of the universe, the Redeemer of mankind, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords stood with Paul and gave him strength to testify about his conversion to Christ and ministry to lost souls.
 
Paul knew the presence of the Lord amid experiencing the absence of men. Incredible. Men fled. Jesus showed up to be a supportive witness for Paul.
 
Paul triumphantly declared “I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.” Remind you of anything in the Bible? Sounds like Daniel and the lion’s den, doesn’t it? (Daniel 6:16-28).
 
Paul was delivered from the lion’s mouth, Satan and his followers, so he could deliver with his mouth the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. His call was to stand tall before men and tell them about the love of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
 

• Paul fulfilled his call because Jesus stood tall with him.

 
My friend, do you need delivered from a lion’s mouth? Are you experiencing tough times right now as you faithfully pursue God’s will for your life? Have you been abandoned by  folks you hoped would hang in there with you? Do you feel alone as you take your stand for Jesus?
 
Good News! Really Good news! You, yes you, are not alone. You can stand tall because Jesus stands with you to support you and give you strength.
 
In Christ, you and I triumph over tough times. Why? Because Jesus is greater than any trouble we will ever face. Jesus Christ is Lord of all and Lord over all. He has already conquered every tough time we will ever encounter!
 
SO, BE ENCOURGED. When men fail to stand alongside you through the fiery trials of tough times, stand firm and tall in the Lord. God has promised in Hebrews 13:5b “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”  He will never desert. Never bail. Never forsake or fail. That is awesome, terrific news in terrible, tough times!
 
It was Winston Churchill, the tough-minded Prime Minister of England during World War II, who said “When going through hell, keep going!” In other words, do not stop when times are tough. Stand tall. Refuse to stall or fall. Advance through adversity. Keep going when the going is tough.
 
My fellow Christian, stand tall like Paul. Tough times never last. Tough people do. The Lord stands with you to support and strengthen you so you can successfully fulfill His will.
 
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”  Psalm 34:19
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A Word For Your Week: When times turn tough, tough it out by standing tall in Jesus Christ.