Why is life so hard?

Why is life so hard? Have you ever asked that question? If you are the average human chances are you have! So many things can present challenges to us. Our children can be willful and even rebellious. Our spouse can be unattentive or needy. Our colleagues at work or school can be uncooperative. People in ministry can be unresponsive. Our health can present a myriad of challenges to surmount. Life on planet earth is marked by trial!
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to such trials. A previous reading in 2 Corinthians 11 lays out his list. Even in today's reading in 2 Timothy 4 we get a glimpse of his life's challenges. He was deserted, left almost alone, put into prison, opposed to the face, having to stand for the gospel with no one supporting him. I am sure this was only part of what he had to endure.
Now the "why" question is not an easy one to answer. In one sense it requires us to know the mind of God, and quite honestly God does not always let us in on why He does things. After all - He is God! But on a more foundational level we can say that since the fall of man life has been hard. As part of the curse for man's sin he would find that things would not come easy. All of our work(s) are marked by difficulty and trial.
But I must say there is a smell of mercy even in the curse. Man's trying to "do it alone" brought this curse upon him. So part of God's mercy to us is to make life in such a way that shows man their need of God. God has so designed the difficulties of life to show us our weakness, so that we will continue to depend on Him, and look to Him for strength.
This is how Paul handled his challenges. He says after telling his readers that no MAN stood with him..."But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might heart it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Do you see Paul's confidence? In the midst of difficulty when no man was standing with him, Paul's trust was in the Lord. He truly believed that the Lord would strengthen him and see him through all the way to his arrival in the heavenly kingdom.
Are you going through a rough patch? We all do! How are you handling it (or is it handling you)? Paul's example to us today is to go to the Lord for strength, and to claim the promise that the "Lord will rescue you from every evil deed and bring you safely into his heavenly kingdom." Trusting in the Lord this way will equip you with endurance for today's and tomorrow's challenges. May the Lord be praised for the strength of His nearness!