When we experience difficulty, it can seem as if we are the only ones who have ever gone through such a tough time. No matter how alone we may feel, the Bible tells a different story.
“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10 (NLT)
And here’s a witness from the New Testament.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
1 Peter 5:8, 9 (NLT)
Our problems are not new. We all face challenges. Our enemy want to convince us we are the only ones, but there are others going through the same things. Knowing this, maybe we should cancel some of our private pity parties.
As the scriptures in 1 Peter tell us, these problems are not from God, but from the devil; yet God has a way of turning negative things around for good in our lives and also in the lives of others.
If we live authentic lives of faith, we can support, encourage, and strengthen those who are going through something we have experienced. And when we are going through a difficult time, we can reach out to someone who’s familiar with our challenges yet made it to the other side.
Whether we are the giver or the receiver, we can be certain whatever we are experiencing is nothing new.