How to Keep the Right View of Hardships

1 ARE you suffering some injustice, opposition from your family, or persecution because of your faith? Are you dealing with illness or the effects of old age? Or are you going through a deeply painful situation, such as the death of a loved one? Although we know Jehovah dearly loves his servants, our life may still be full of “trouble and sorrow” (Ps. 90:10).

2 To endure hardships, we must view them from the proper perspective. Why is that important? Consider an example. Life’s problems are like obstacles we meet while driving. Depending on the obstacle, we may decide to swerve around it, slow down, or stop for a moment. But to make the right decision, we need to see the obstacle clearly. If the windows are dirty, we will not see well. Similarly, to endure problems, we need to see them correctly, the way Jehovah sees them. In this article, we will consider 1) what the right view of hardships is, 2) what could happen if we do not view them as Jehovah does, and 3) what we can do to keep the right perspective when adversity comes.

To endure trials, the key is learning to view them from the right perspective, that is, the way Jehovah sees them. Just as a driver needs a clean windshield to react properly to an obstacle, we need clear spiritual vision so we can make wise decisions and protect our faith.

Life today is full of “trouble and sorrow,” so illness, family opposition, and grief are real situations we may face. Keeping the right theocratic perspective does not instantly remove the problem, but it gives us the focus we need to endure without losing our joy.

3 Problems are unavoidable in this system. As long as we are imperfect and Satan rules the world, we cannot escape hardships. Also, as we move closer to the end, life will become more difficult, whether because of natural disasters, man-made troubles, or human wickedness (Matt. 24:8; 2 Tim. 3:13). If Jehovah were to fix all these problems right now, it could seem as if he were helping Satan rule. So in this system, we should expect to face some “calamity” (Eccl. 9:12, study note).

It is unavoidable because we live under Satan’s rule and we bear human imperfection. In addition, prophecy shows that as the end draws nearer there will be more wickedness, more pain, and more difficult situations.

It is also important to remember that Jehovah is not supporting this system. If he removed all problems now, it could seem as though he were endorsing Satan’s rule. So we need to stay realistic while this world still exists.

4 We also suffer because we are Christians. Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that they would be persecuted for their faith (Matt. 24:9; John 16:2). Keeping that in mind helps our faith not to be shaken when persecution comes (1 Thess. 3:3, 4). By remaining faithful under trial, we show that we are still walking on the road leading to everlasting life. We also demonstrate whether we are on Jehovah’s side or Satan’s in the great issue involving God’s sovereignty and name. One of the Devil’s lies is that humans worship Jehovah only out of selfishness. To try to prove that lie, he attacks God’s servants mercilessly (Job 1:9-11). When we stay loyal out of love for Jehovah, we make his heart rejoice (Prov. 27:11).

Another reason we suffer is that we are Christians, and Jesus already warned that the world would hate us. Enduring loyally proves that we serve Jehovah out of love, not selfish gain.

Our faithfulness under trial also answers the challenge Satan raised in Job’s day. Every time we endure out of love for Jehovah, we prove the Devil to be a liar and make our Father’s heart rejoice.

5 Jehovah allows hardships. He never acts cruelly, nor does he test us with bad things (Jas. 1:13). However, King Solomon said that the “day of adversity” is one of “the works of the true God” (read Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14). He was not saying that Jehovah causes bad things to happen, but rather that he simply allows them. So what can we learn from Solomon’s words? On the one hand, we need to be realistic and recognize that while we live in Satan’s world, we will have good days and bad days. When we enjoy a good day, we should view it as a gift from God and show our appreciation. On the other hand, Solomon reminds us that humans cannot “be sure of what will happen afterward,” that is, whether we will have a good day or one full of hardships. Neither righteous nor unrighteous people are spared unexpected troubles.

We learn to be realistic. While we are in this system, there will be good days and difficult days. When we enjoy a good day, we should thank Jehovah for it, but we should also remember that no one can fully predict what tomorrow will bring.

Trials do not mean that Jehovah is cruel or that he causes evil. Instead, they show that we are living in an imperfect world where both righteous and unrighteous people face unexpected troubles.

6 If we view trials from the right perspective, we will realize that Jehovah is teaching us to rely on him and not on ourselves. He is always aware of what happens to us, and it pains him to see us suffer. Even when he allows us to walk through “the valley of deep shadow,” he continues guiding us, showing us his love, and giving us the strength to endure (Ps. 23:4). Adversities also help us identify our weaknesses and improve our personality with God’s help (read Hebrews 12:7, 11). For example, Job needed to learn greater humility. Although Jehovah did not cause his trials, he allowed them and used them so that Job could learn very important lessons (Job 42:1-6). No matter what happens, we know that Jehovah will not allow us to suffer any irreparable harm. If we endure faithfully, we “come off completely victorious” (Rom. 8:35-39).

Jehovah allows some trials to teach us to depend more on him and less on ourselves. In addition, hardships can expose hidden weaknesses and help us refine our Christian personality.

Job’s example makes it clear that Jehovah can use a trial to produce good spiritual results, even though he is not the one causing it. And he will always do so without allowing permanent harm to come to those who remain faithful.

7 We can be happy when we are persecuted. If you are suffering persecution because of your faith, do not think that you have lost Jehovah’s approval. On the contrary, that opposition itself proves that you have it (Matt. 5:10-12). Having the right view of persecution will help you keep your joy and self-respect, just as it did the apostles (Acts 5:40-42). In addition, if you remain faithful, you may help others come to know the truth and “give glory to God” (1 Pet. 2:12). Think too about Joseph’s example. Jehovah blessed him while he was going through hardships, not only after they were over (Gen. 39:3, 23).

We can keep our joy because persecution is evidence that we have Jehovah’s approval. In addition, our faithfulness under pressure can become a powerful witness to other people.

Joseph’s example shows that Jehovah can bless us while we are still in the middle of the trial, not only after it is over. That helps us avoid thinking that his support must come only at the end.

8 Our problems have an expiration date. That is one lesson we learn from Job’s life. In fact, the record says that “Jehovah blessed the final part of Job’s life more than its beginning” (Job 42:12). Jehovah promises the same to us. He will bless “the final part” of our life — that is, the part that will last forever — far more than the brief beginning full of problems that we may have had in this system. Is that not a powerful reason to endure to the end? (Matt. 24:13).

Another very powerful reason is that our present problems are not eternal. Jehovah promises that the final part of our life, the part that will last forever, will be far better than this brief period of suffering.

Keeping our eyes on the reward helps us put present pain in perspective. It does not mean denying the suffering, but remembering that it is temporary and that Jehovah will more than compensate for it with lasting blessings.

9 When we are going through any problem, we can make matters worse if we do not have the right perspective. For example, we might think that Jehovah is the one who caused the problem. Job believed that for a time, and that wrong idea led him to try “to prove himself right rather than God” (Job 32:2). Similarly, Naomi at first blamed Jehovah for her tragedies (Ruth 1:13, 20, 21). If Job and Naomi had continued thinking that way, they would have damaged their friendship with God (Prov. 19:3). But Jehovah helped them to see their problems from the correct perspective and blessed them for remaining loyal.

If we lose the right perspective, we may become bitter and wrongly blame Jehovah. That kind of thinking can seriously damage our friendship with him if it is not corrected in time.

It is comforting to see that Jehovah did not cast off Job or Naomi. Instead, he patiently helped them adjust their thinking. That teaches us to correct quickly any mistaken idea we may develop about God.

10 Even if we are sure that Jehovah did not cause our hardships, we may start wondering whether he has forgotten us. That negative thought can drain our strength (Prov. 24:10). Both King David and the prophet Habakkuk went through many problems and at times wondered whether Jehovah was hearing their cries for help (Ps. 10:1; Hab. 1:2). Even so, they did not stop praying to him. Jehovah assured those faithful men that he was at their side, and he will do the same for us (Ps. 10:17).

We may begin to think that Jehovah has forgotten us or that he is not hearing our prayers. That thought can weaken us greatly if we do not fight it.

The example of David and Habakkuk is encouraging because it shows that even faithful servants felt something similar. What mattered is that they kept praying and did not stop turning to Jehovah.

11 If we do not have the right view of trials, they may take us by surprise, and we may even think that such things should not happen to us (1 Pet. 4:12). Think about Jesus’ disciples. They found it difficult to understand that Jesus would face intense persecution (Luke 18:33, 34). Although he spoke clearly about the sufferings awaiting him, the apostle Peter thought God would never allow it. Jesus knew that Jehovah’s will was for him to suffer and die and that Peter’s way of thinking could become an obstacle, so he rebuked him (Mark 8:31-33). Even after Jesus’ death, his disciples still struggled to understand why he had to suffer and die. But Jesus did not give up on them. After he was resurrected, he helped them understand the matter correctly by “fully opening up the Scriptures” to them (Luke 24:25-27, 32, 44-48). By meditating on what Jesus was teaching them, they would be ready for the opposition they would soon face. Let us think about what the Bible says about persecution so that we too will be ready for the trials that may come.

If we do not absorb what the Bible says about suffering, trials may catch us off guard and unsettle us. That is why we need to prepare in advance with God’s Word.

Jesus helped his disciples by clearly explaining the Scriptures. We too need to meditate on what the Bible says about persecution and suffering so that our faith is not shaken when unexpected trials come.

12 If we do not see matters the way Jehovah does, we might think that we are suffering an injustice or that our situation is worse than it really is. For example, some brothers may feel that it is unfair not to receive a certain assignment in the organization or to have to step down from one. Think of one of the lessons Jesus taught in the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some were upset because they thought they had received unfair pay, but the vineyard owner said to one of them: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong” (Matt. 20:10-13). Those workers had not actually suffered an injustice; they were complaining because they expected more than they had a right to expect. Surely we do not want that to happen to us. Let us now consider what we can do to keep the right perspective when facing a difficult situation.

If we do not see matters as Jehovah does, we may exaggerate our situation or feel like victims of injustice when the real issue lies in our expectations.

The parable of the vineyard workers teaches us that discontent may come, not from a real injustice, but from expecting more than is proper. Humility protects us from that attitude.

13 We know very well what the Bible says about suffering. No doubt, when others were facing problems, we have often read encouraging scriptures to them. But when we ourselves face a hardship, it may be difficult to keep seeing matters as Jehovah sees them. For example, we may think that God is punishing us or that he is not listening to our prayers. What can we do to keep the right perspective?

It can happen that theory slips away when the trial reaches us personally. Emotions can cloud our thinking and make us feel that Jehovah is punishing us or no longer listening.

That does not mean we are spiritually weak; it means we are imperfect and hurting. That is exactly why we need practical steps that can help us regain the right perspective.

14 Let us ask Jehovah to help us. We can tell our Father what we are going through and how we feel. We can tell him specifically what we would like him to do for us. It is also good to ask him to give us strength and wisdom by means of his holy spirit. At the same time, let us remember that he may answer in a way different from what we expect (Eph. 3:20). He may also provide support through angels or through our brothers (Ps. 34:7). So let us stay alert to see where Jehovah’s help is coming from and accept it. And we are sure that he will give us the amount of holy spirit we need to handle the trial; he will not come up short (read Philippians 4:13).

We should open our heart to Jehovah and tell him honestly what we are going through, how we feel, and what specific help we need. We should also ask him for wisdom and strength through his holy spirit.

Jehovah’s answer may come in ways we did not expect, perhaps through a brother, an elder, or an inner strengthening that helps us cope. What matters is staying alert and accepting the help when it comes.

15 Let us maintain a good routine of spiritual activities. We may not be able to do as much as before, but let us do everything that is within our power. When we face “trouble and distress,” that is when we most need to fill our mind with Jehovah’s thoughts (Ps. 119:143). So let us keep reading the Bible regularly, studying it, and meditating on what we read. Let us preach as much as we can and attend the meetings and participate in them. Let us resist the urge to isolate ourselves and spend time with our brothers (Prov. 18:1).

We need to hold tightly to our spiritual routine. Even if the trial limits us, we need to keep reading the Bible, studying, preaching as our strength allows, and attending meetings without isolating ourselves.

Isolation often makes pain worse. Staying close to the congregation, commenting, and spending time with our brothers helps fill our mind with Jehovah’s thoughts and keeps us moving forward.

16 Let us resolve our doubts. When we suffer a tragedy, certain doubts about ourselves or about Jehovah may begin to take hold in our mind. In that case, we need to tear down those “strongly entrenched” ideas (read 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). How can we do that? By using “the knowledge of God,” which we find in the Bible and in our publications. For example, if we doubt whether we still have Jehovah’s approval, we can study the life of the apostle Paul. During his ministry he suffered all kinds of adversities. Yet all of that only convinced him more strongly that Jehovah and Jesus were pleased with him (2 Cor. 11:23-27). If we doubt whether Jehovah has forgiven mistakes from the past, we can make a list of texts that show that he forgives (Isa. 43:25). Then we can read those verses and meditate on them (Ps. 119:97). And if a tragedy has caused us to doubt God’s promise to protect his faithful servants, we can research why he allows suffering and how he gives spiritual protection in every situation (Ps. 91:9-12). We can also read experiences of brothers who have coped with terrible blows in life.

When doubts arise, we need to fight them with the knowledge of God. The Bible and our publications can help us tear down false reasoning and replace it with sound, faithful thinking.

A practical help is to make lists of verses about forgiveness, Jehovah’s approval, or his spiritual protection, and then reread them calmly. It is also very strengthening to read the experiences of brothers who have faced similar situations.

17 Are you enjoying a good day, one without major hardships in your life? Then thank Jehovah and use the opportunity to meditate on all the good things he gives you (Eccl. 7:14). But when a trial comes, work hard to keep the right view and to go on trusting Jehovah with all your heart. He promises his faithful servants that he “will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). Now, how can we help our dear brothers when they are going through a difficult situation? We will see that in the next article.

When a trial comes, we should work hard not to lose the proper spiritual perspective and keep trusting Jehovah with all our heart, confident that he will provide the way out so we can endure.

Good days should also be used wisely. They are opportunities to thank Jehovah and strengthen our mind and heart for whatever hardship may come later.