Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Kings 9:14–10:31, Acts 17:1–34, Psalm 144:1–15, Proverbs 17:27–28

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Hard Things, Great Lessons

Have you ever struggled with someone in your life? Or maybe you’ve wondered why we have to go through hard things. I know I have… and the Lord in His grace for me whispered this beautiful Gem of Knowledge to help me:

“Don’t shy away from hard things or hard people. This is where you will find your greatest lessons and successes… if you do it with Me. Amen.”

If I’m being honest, there are certain situations I naturally avoid, like difficult conversations, challenging people, or tasks that seem overwhelming – Situations that require courage, patience, wisdom, or perseverance.

Most of us would rather choose the easier road if given the option. We prefer comfort over conflict, certainty over risk, and familiar territory over the unknown. I think it is natural.

No-one intentionally chooses hardship and hard people.

Yet as I reflected on today’s Gem, I realized that many of the greatest things God has done in my life came through circumstances I never would have chosen for myself.

The seasons that stretched my faith taught me to trust Him more deeply.

The difficult people taught me patience, humility, forgiveness, and grace as they forced me to go to the Lord for help and guidance.

The challenges I wanted to avoid often became the very places where God revealed His strength and faithfulness the most.

I am beginning to find gratefulness for the hard things because I realize they are what forced me to grow outside of myself.

Today’s Scriptures are filled with people facing difficult situations.

In Acts 17, Paul repeatedly entered hostile environments to share the Gospel. He faced opposition, criticism, and misunderstanding almost everywhere he went. It would have been much easier to avoid those uncomfortable situations and seek friendlier audiences. Yet because he remained faithful and endured the hard things and hard people, many came to know Christ.

Paul understood something important: sometimes the greatest opportunities for God to move are hidden inside the very situations we would prefer to avoid.

Psalm 144 reminds us where our confidence comes from during those moments.

David begins by declaring:

“Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.” (Psalm 144:1, NLT)

God never promised that life would be free of battles, but He does promise to prepare us for them.

The truth is, difficult circumstances often become God’s training ground.

Just as muscles grow stronger through resistance, our faith often grows stronger through challenges. The lessons we learn in easy seasons are valuable, but the lessons we learn while walking through hardship with God tend to stay with us for a lifetime.

That is why today’s Gem contains an important condition:

“Don’t shy away from hard things or hard people. This is where you will find your greatest lessons and successes, if you do it with Me.“

Those last words matter…”if you do it with Me.”

God is not asking us to face life’s difficulties alone. He is inviting us to walk through them with Him. And thank goodness for that! If I was left to myself, I would most likely make it worse or ruin it completely.

Im learning the goal is not simply enduring hardship. The goal is learning to depend upon Him in the middle of it.

When we keep God close, difficult people become opportunities to grow in grace.
Hard situations become opportunities to grow in faith.
Challenges become opportunities to witness God’s provision, wisdom, and power.
What once looked like an obstacle becomes part of God’s preparation.

Perhaps there is a difficult situation in your life right now that you wish you could avoid.

Maybe it is a conversation you need to have, a responsibility you have been postponing, a person who requires extra patience, or a challenge that just feels bigger than your ability.

Instead of asking God to remove it, ask Him what He wants to teach you through it.

You may discover that the very thing you have been trying to avoid is the place where He intends to do some of His greatest work and preparation. 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Invite God to show you how to walk through every situation with His wisdom, strength, and grace.

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Prayer

Father God, thank You for being with me in every challenge I face. Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, discomfort, or discouragement to keep me from what You are calling me to do. Help me not to shy away from hard things or difficult people. Instead, teach me to walk through them with You. Give me wisdom, patience, courage, and grace. Help me see opportunities for growth where I once saw obstacles. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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