It can often be easy to make bold statements of commitment when life is going well, but when the challenges and realities of life hit us, it can then become quite difficult to live up to the commitments we have made. 

The everyday and extraordinary challenges of life is not an exclusive domain for Christians - everyone has life challenges. However, responding to and dealing with those challenges in the way that Jesus calls us to is what makes the challenge all the more challenging.

Having gone through my fair share of life challenges, I recognise that I have had to reflect on my bold statements of commitment to Jesus, which I made when life was going well. I have come to accept that it's okay to say “it’s difficult”, or, “I’m struggling with this situation”. We can come to God in a broken or hurting state and still resolve to follow Jesus.

One thing’s for certain, as David expressed in the Psalms, God is right there with us in those moments of hardship, stress, pain, depression, whatever we are going through. His presence with us makes life all the more bearable. He promised to see us through each challenge. We may come to Him broken and wounded, but in His presence, we become completely overwhelmed by His love, which gives us the strength to face each challenge.