From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Any belief system that claims “happy-ever-after endings” on Earth is deceitful. There are many voices claiming that becoming a Christian erases all problems; that it will lead to earthly wealth and success. This is not true. Becoming a believer in Christ is a wonderful new beginning, but it isn’t the end of pain or problems. It is the beginning of facing up to them. Being a Christian involves a lifetime of hard work, dedicated study, and difficult decisions.

If we have our eyes upon ourselves, our problems, and our pain, we cannot lift our eyes upward. Living the Christian life is serious business.

The majority of difficulties believers experience can be traced to a lack of Bible study and praying to the Lord for direction, correction, comfort, and assurance that He is with us every step of the way. Just as a child looks up to a parent as they walk together, so are we to look up to Christ and follow Him.

Christianity is not an insurance policy against life’s ills and troubles; it is about glorifying God in the midst of them. He may not take away trials or make detours for us, but He strengthens us through them. This becomes part of our testimony to the unbelieving world—and it has the ability to point others to the Savior. We must learn to let the Word of God feed and strengthen us in living out Christ’s message to the world as we depend upon the Holy Spirit to teach us.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

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