If someone has told you that if you become a Christian, you will live an easy and carefree life, then they have not read their Bible. I have, however, heard this very message preached: believe in God and your life will be smooth and carefree. “Does God Promise An Easy Life?”
As usual, let’s consult the Scriptures to see what they have to say?
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. [ESV]
Now there’s a promise that you probably don’t want to hear. When the Apostle Paul wrote this to Timothy, he had just finished telling Timothy about the persecutions that he had suffered for the sake of the Gospel. However, he didn’t leave it just at that. He also told him that God had delivered him. Sure, when you decide to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you get a target on your back: just looking around at the world should make that pretty obvious. So instead of telling Timothy to get all depressed about it, Paul told him how to deal with the persecution.
2 Timothy 3:14, 15
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [ESV]
Paul told him that it was the Scriptures, the Word of God, that he had learned that would allow him to deal with the attacks. He did not say that there would not be any attacks. Anyone who has read even a little bit about the lives of believers in the Bible would surely know that: Moses, David, Elijah, Elisha, Paul, Timothy, Jesus Christ – read about any of them and you will see exactly what I mean.
Paul goes on to encourage Timothy some more,
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. [ESV]
He told him that all Scripture comes right from the mouth of God, and because of this, it is profitable. It teaches you what to believe; it helps you when you are not believing rightly to get back on the correct path. As a result, you are well-prepared for any situation that may arise.
Does that mean there will be no problems, difficult days, or sad days? Of course not. You live in a world that is antagonistic to everything that is Christian, so you can count on persecution. However, just as in the case of Timothy, God has not left you without the wisdom that you need for this life. God has given us His Word. Note what the Psalmist declares,
Psalm 119:97-100, 105
Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [ESV]
There is certainly no guarantee of an easy and carefree life, in fact the promise is just the opposite of that. However, God has given us what we need to deal with any situation that we may have to face. His Word gives us wisdom, it gives us understanding, it is the lamp that lights our path. Of course, all of this is only useful if we, like the Psalmist, take heed to His Word. It will only bring the wisdom and understanding that we need if we read it, continue in it and keep it in the forefront of our minds. Do you put His Word in your mind regularly?