Have I misunderstood the promise of God?

on Jul 15, 2026

Hands clasped in a prayer. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m discouraged because when I got saved, I believed what the church told me – that my problems would go away and I could live the abundant life the Bible promises. This hasn’t happened; in fact, it seems things have gotten worse. Have I misunderstood the promise of God? – R.T.

A: It’s important that Christians learn the discipline and joy of giving thanks to God not just in the good things, but especially in the bad times. When we look into God’s Word, we see how the Lord led those who followed Him. There’s so much we can learn and apply to our lives when we faithfully read God’s Word.

Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. It does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal suffering with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside Christ.

The early Christians were able to experience joy in their hearts in the midst of trials, troubles, and depression. They counted suffering for Christ not as a burden or misfortune, but as a great honor, as evidence that Christ counted them worthy to witness for Him through suffering. They never forgot what Christ Himself had gone through for their salvation. To suffer for His Name’s sake was regarded as a gift rather than a cross.

Christians can rejoice in trouble because they have eternity’s values in view. When the pressures are on, they look beyond their present predicaments to the glories of Heaven. The thought of the future life with its prerogatives and joys helps to make the trials of the present seem light and transient.

Happy is the person who has learned the secret of being content with whatever life brings him and has learned to rejoice in the simple and beautiful things around him.

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