"In a sense, we won?t ever face anything
that is overwhelming if we appeal to the Lord.
Over time, hardships will strengthen us, and
the goal of it all is to become more like Christ.
God cares for you and loves you. Anytime you
feel overwhelmed by hardship, trust in Him
and talk to Him. I also recommend that you
talk to the people closest to you who you
know walk with God."
Mrs. McLean
"I think it is important to determine
how one defines strength. Many would say
they are strong because they have endured a
lot or have been able to accomplish much
even through adversity. However, I would
argue that enduring or overcoming hardship
by itself does not make one strong. Instead, let
us turn to the Bible in order to discover our
true source of strength ?
Perhaps one of the best texts for a true
definition of biblical strength comes from 2
Corinthians 12:10: ?For the sake of Christ,
then, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and
calamities. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.? Here, Paul
defines our strength by our
weakness. In other words, when
we endure hardships or times of
struggle that reveal our
weaknesses, we discover our true
source of strength?Jesus. And so, I
would then argue that yes,
hardships can indeed make a
person stronger, if we use those
hardships to direct our hearts and
minds to Jesus Christ ...
"If anyone knew immense
suffering, it was Jesus. Saint
Augustine wrote that, ?God had
one Son on earth without sin, but
never one without suffering.? Jesus
wept and hurt at the death of his friend
Lazarus, felt the rejection of His closest
friends, endured false accusations, was
beaten, and eventually died a horrible death.
And yet, what looked like weakness to the
world?willingness to die for sinful
humanity?was a means to show the power
and strength of God by raising Him from the
dead.
What?s more, Jesus also said we would
endure hardships (John 16:33) ? I believe
that if we were to try and overcome or endure
the suffering of this world in our own strength,
then yes, it would be too much ? However, in
a posture of humility whereby we recognize
our weakness and depend on the strength of
God, we discover that the same power that
raised Jesus from the grave resides in us
(Romans 8:11). Then we can confidently say, ?I
can do all things through [Christ] who
strengthens me? (Philippians 4:13)."