When you first trusted Jesus Christ, did you secretly think life would somehow become a “piece of cake”? Were you expecting the Christian life to be “a breeze” or “fun in the sun” or “a bed of roses” or merely “a stroll through the park”?
Have you ever taken a “lazy river” ride in the summer, relaxing on a tube on milky warm water, peacefully floating with the gentle currents along a sleepy winding waterway? Even if you’ve never enjoyed such a luxury, did you somehow imagine Christian living would feel something like that?
But to your shock and dismay, many days seem more like white-water rafting!
The Lord never promised His followers a trouble-free life. He never said believers would never experience tears, trials, heartbreaks, disappointments, sleepless nights, strained relationships, spiritual battles, or deep discouragement. He never promised we would never get mosquito bites, flat tires, burdens, or battle scars.
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In fact, the Christian life is not a playground — it is a battlefield. Beware of a counterfeit Christianity that promises success, nothing but material blessings, uninterrupted smiles and thrills, and unimpeded power to heal every hurt and to cancel every wrong if one has sufficient faith. Remember, Jesus said: In the world, you will have tribulation.
The Apostle Paul instructed young Timothy:
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4
“Timothy, this is war! In war, everyone shares the pain. You will get your share of suffering. Expect hits in this battle — but endure! Don’t quit. Don’t pack it in when the going gets rough. Be a good soldier! Keep your Commander-in-Chief before your eyes — the One who enlisted you into this fight. It’s a battle, not a picnic. A war zone, not a playground. You are on the front lines — not the fairgrounds!”
And today, the battle comes from many directions.
Sometimes it is open opposition. Sometimes it is temptation. Sometimes it is loneliness, anxiety, fear, exhaustion, or disappointment. Often, it is just the endless pressure and noise of this world. Sometimes it is fighting distraction, spiritual apathy, compromise, or discouragement. Many believers today are not running from lions in an arena — they are slowly being worn down by weariness, distraction, and spiritual drift.
Some days, believers are not asking, “How can I conquer?” but simply, “Lord, how do I keep going?“
Perhaps today you don’t even feel like fighting.
The reality is — every day of our lives, we are on the front lines. If we choose to spiritually snooze through the battle, the enemy delights in targeting unguarded coasting believers.
Paul said to Timothy: “Be a good soldier.” Stay alert. Be spiritually armed, as in Ephesians 6. Yes, at times it will be “tough sledding,” but endure.
And let us remember something important: enduring hardship is not merely gritting our teeth and trying harder. A good soldier must stay close to his Captain.
Reflect on the record of Scripture. Even strong believers grew weary.
Elijah collapsed beneath discouragement. David wept openly before the Lord. Jeremiah felt like giving up. Even the Apostle Paul spoke of being “pressed out of measure” and burdened beyond strength. Timothy himself apparently battled fear and weakness. The Apostle Peter said not to think it is unusual to find yourself being tossed around on the white, turbulent waters of life. Actually, Peter used a different metaphor:
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when His glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Struggling does not automatically mean you are failing.
The Christian life is not about pretending to be strong. It is about discovering that Christ gives strength to weak and weary saints who keep looking to Him.
Christ Himself suffered on this earth. He endured rejection, misunderstanding, sorrow, hatred, betrayal, and ultimately even the Cross. Hebrews tells us to look to Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.”
The Apostle Paul also had his share of hardships. Skim through the list purposefully detailed in Scripture — not hyperbolic wordy wording. I try to picture myself continuing faithfully for the Lord if even half those trials came my way — yet Paul endured and remained faithful.
I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labour, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. 2Corinthians 11:23-28 MSG
Why?
Because Christ was worth it. And from our hearts we echo the same words today: “Christ is worth it and worthy of it.”
This battle matters because souls matter. Truth matters. Holiness matters. Eternity matters. And above all else — Christ is worthy. He suffered, and Paul felt it was an honour to share in the sufferings of Christ.
The chorus of an old Christian song based on a certain fiery furnace and lions’ den captures the thought:
"It's a battlefield, brother
Not a recreation room.
It's a fight and not a game.
Run if you want to,
Run if you will,
But I came here to stay."
When it is finally time to receive the medals, there will be no regrets when you look into the eyes of your Commander-in-Chief and hear Him say:
“Thank you for enduring. Thank you for remaining faithful in the difficult days. Thank you for staying in the battle when you were tired, wounded, discouraged, and weary. Well done, My child, well done!”
Victory is not always dramatic or measured by ease. Sometimes victory is simply remaining faithful today — keeping your eyes on Christ while being tossed about in the white waters of life. Yes, obedience itself is victory.
Be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. To be a good soldier of a prime minister, president, or king is one thing — but to belong to JESUS CHRIST makes all the difference!
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Maybe your prayer today should be:
“Lord, when the white waters of life crash around me, and I feel overwhelmed by the currents, help me to stay close to You. Give me fresh strength for today. Guard me from drifting spiritually. Help me to stay near You and remain faithful—even when I feel weary. I truly want to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.”