Hardships

The word hardship came from England back in the 1200s, and it described sturdy ships that endured the brutal storms of the North Atlantic.

Today it's defined as a condition that is difficult to endure. It refers to suffering, deprivation, and oppression: something hard to bear, lack of comfort, constant toil or danger.

As we think about hardship, we need to remember that life is not about us. Life is about Jesus and our relationship with him. Scripture tells us that from the foundation of the world, Christ died for us. Therefore, Jesus should be the center of all human existence. But for most people, he is either on the sidelines or not in the picture at all.

Then, generating our own hardships, we get all limp and wishy-washy about it, or we get hard and bitter. We have a difficult time doing things God's way because we don't spend time to get to know our heavenly Father.

But God has been saying all along: "Please give me the reins; I can tame this team of horses. But you need to cooperate."

A young woman who didn't know how to cooperate with the Lord told her mother about how life was so hard for her. There seemed to be no end to problems and she wanted to give up.

Her mother sent up a silent prayer, then took her daughter to the kitchen. Filling three pots with water, she placed them on the stove and turned the heat to high. In the first pot she placed carrots; in the second, she placed a couple of eggs; and in the last, she poured a cup of coffee grounds.

Without saying a word, she let them boil for about twenty minutes, then turned off the burners. She fished the carrots and eggs out and placed them in separate bowls. Then she ladled the coffee grounds out and placed them in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she said, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee grounds."

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots and peel an egg. The daughter noted that the carrots were soft and the eggs were hard boiled.

"Now, check the coffee grounds and water."

The daughter smiled. "The coffee grounds look the same but wet. But the water was now ... coffee, and I think I'll have some. Mother, what are you getting at?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the very same adversity: 212-degree boiling water for 20 minutes. Each reacted differently. The carrots went in strong, hard, and stiff, but after sitting in boiling water, they softened and became weak. The eggs had been fragile. Their thin outer shell had protected the liquid interior, but after bumping around in the boiling water, the insides became hardened. The ground coffee was unique. The oppressive adversity (boiling water) released color and flavor.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When hardship knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg ... or ... coffee?"

So I ask you, dear reader: Are you the carrot that is strong when there are no problems, but with pain and adversity you wilt and lose your strength?

Are you the egg that starts with a malleable attitude, but becomes hardened with the heat? Did you have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, you became cynical? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside are you inflexible?

Or are you like the coffee? Do you change the circumstances that bring the pain? When things are at their worst, do you cave in or help change the situation around you?

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, how do you handle adversity?

Remember that hot water releases the fragrance and flavor of the coffee grounds; then sincerely turn to God for guidance. He is always willing to help us. God tells us in Isaiah 43:2-3, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

That is true if we cooperate with God. How do you respond to hardships?

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author and mentor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. Visit his website at www.genelinzey.com. The opinions expressed are those of the author.