How to Stay Rooted in Christ During Challenging Times?

Life is a journey gifted to us by the Lord, filled with both highs and lows. The highs are easy, fulfilling, and joyful, while the lows can be difficult, lonely, and painful. However, no one experiences only success - challenges are inevitable, and often, we must face them alone.

Challenges could be material or spiritual. Material challenges include struggles at school, work, finances, and health, while spiritual challenges involve persecution.

Our response/attitude to challenges and our prayer life determine how firmly we remain rooted in Christ. These two aspects go hand in hand. No matter the challenge, prayer is a powerful weapon used by saints throughout both the Old and New Testaments. During difficult times, we may question God, just as Jobs wife did when she lost everything - wealth, children. She urged Job to curse God and die (Job 2:9), yet Job remained steadfast. He declared in Job 1:21, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Even at his lowest point, Job chose to bless God rather than dwell on his losses. His faith outweighed his suffering, proving that true hope in God transcends hardship.

Challenges often make it difficult to communicate with God, but Job never abandoned his faith. James 1:2-3 encourages us to “count it all joy” when facing trials because they test and strengthen our faith. Similarly, Romans 5:3-5 teaches that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. These verses remind us that our hope in Christ far outweighs any temporary struggles. God never promised a life free from trials, but as Paul explains, challenges shape our character and remind us that we are never alone.

Even Jesus’ life shows us that suffering was part of God’s greater plan. He endured the ultimate pain to redeem humanity, and if He suffered for us, He will surely sustain us through our difficulties. In tough times, we must not rely on our own strength but take refuge in Christ, just as a chick hides under the wings of its mother for protection. Challenges should deepen our roots in faith so that no external force can shake us.

Instead of resisting hardships, we should embrace them as opportunities to grow - learning to pray, trust, lean on God, and build character through every trial.