top of page

Why Is Life So Hard??

Pastor Jose Figueroa

 

                                              

I believe if more people knew and understood the answer to this question, our stress level would be greatly reduced. Fortunately, our Sovereign God has given us the answer found right in the beginning of the Living Word. In Chapter 3 of Genesis, three things happened that are very important for us to know and understand. First is the Fall, the disobedience in vs.1-7. Second is the Blame Game. vs. 8-13… and thirdly, the Judgment, vs.14-19.

 

Before I go further it is important to remember that both Adam and Eve had free will. So, what happened? In chapter 2 The Lord God planted two trees in the middle of the garden. He placed Adam in the garden to tend it. He gave Adam a Divine Command “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

Adam and God enjoyed a great relationship, and the Lord gave Adam dominion over the garden. But still there was no helper just right for him. Then the Lord God said it is not good for the man to be alone and He created woman. And this is where things get interesting. Genesis 2:25 makes it clear that these two people are sinless. Vs.25 says that the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. This is an interesting scripture because as we will see in Genesis 3, after both Adam and Eve partake of the fruit, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.

 

Let’s look at what has happened. Remember I mentioned that Adam and Eve were free-willed people, which means their mind was their own and they could think for themselves. God put only one restriction on them. He gave Adam the divine command not to eat of that particular tree. However, the Tree of Life was not off limits. Upon that command Adam was triggered, so much so that when he shared this command from the Lord with Eve, he added these words to it.  “You are not even to touch it”.         


We know God did not say that. It was Adam himself over-thinking it. As I mentioned his curiosity was triggered and when he told Eve she now was triggered. You and I as humans with a free will are the same. For example, there are three doors, and we are told we can only use two of those doors. What happens to us? Exactly! Our curiosity gets the best of us and we are triggered.  At some point we want check to see why we can’t use the door we were asked not to use. Of course! It’s our human nature.

So now the deed is done. They have eaten the fruit. The question is, did sin enter when Eve ate from the fruit or when Adam ate of the fruit. For the answer read Romans 5:12 and then Romans 5:21 to see how that curse was overcome. Yes, Eve was the one who initially allowed doubt to enter her mind. Three things happened when presented with the fruit. She saw that the tree was beautiful, and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. Look at 1 John 2:16. This scripture refers to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. We ourselves are given to this. That is why Paul writes in Romans 12:2 we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind.


Unfortunately, Adam too allowed doubt to enter his mind. I imagine he began to think, “What is the Lord holding back from us?” Adam’s sin is no different from ours. He failed to seek the Lord’s wisdom in that moment. How often do we try and handle things on our own? How often after we pray, do we just get up and walk away, not allowing a moment for the Lord to answer or direct us? We know that Jesus doesn’t think the way we do, however, we want answers right away. We don’t allow time for the Lord’s way, which is to be in prayer and faith about everything.

Adam and Eve died spiritually when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge. The last act for them was that they had to be put out of the garden. Why? Because had they disobeyed God. Had they eaten from the Tree of Life we would all be living in sin forever. No doubt the devil was hoping the Lord would destroy Adam and Eve and, in the process, destroy us.  But He loved them too much and yet again, the devil underestimated the Lord.


Why then is life so hard? Because of sin. Yet our God, because of His love for us sent Jesus to bear our sin. And in John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “In this life you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” That word WILL is a present tense word meaning to be ready. It is going to happen. Therefore, we must learn to let the enemy’s doubts in us be as empty as the tomb Jesus walked out of.

© 2022 by  Evangel Association of Churches and Ministries - Site by: ONINNAM

bottom of page