By Daniel Bobinski
Recently I stumbled across something that changed my understanding of what Jesus meant when He said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV).
What caught my eye was the way to eternal life being described as “difficult.” The NASB uses the word “constricted.”
For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
The Greek word translated “narrow” (stenos) means more than skinny. It means a tight pathway that’s hard to navigate. And the word for “difficult” or “constricted” (thlibo) means to be afflicted, to suffer tribulation, to be troubled or pressed on every side. In other words, Jesus is describing a difficult-to-navigate, challenging road.
How many people have been told that accepting Jesus into their life means smooth sailing, answered prayers, and financial blessings? Many subscribe to the feel-good theology that God wants us all to be comfortable. In fact, recently I heard someone say, “Forget all the thee and thou’s – God just wants us to be happy.”
Sorry, but the Bible does not teach that. Happiness is fleeting. It’s often tied to self-centered goals or even moral compromise instead of God’s clear desire for us to pursue holiness, obedience, and sacrificial love.
Don’t misunderstand, God delights in blessing His people with good gifts, but His ultimate purpose for us is our transformation into the likeness of Christ – and with it comes joy! In fact, God says in His presence is fullness of joy! Joy is a deeper, enduring state, and it’s rooted in our unity with God, despite any suffering or difficulty we face.
Biblical examples
To help us understand how God uses tribulation in our lives to bring about blessings, let’s look at some examples from God’s Word.
In Genesis 37, Joseph was his father’s favored son, with dreams of greatness. But his own brothers threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. Over the next 13 years, Joseph was a servant and also a falsely accused prisoner. Surely Joseph was not happy with those years, but every trial he endured prepared him to be the prime minister of Egypt and save his family from famine.
Then there’s David. Samuel anointed him as king but then he spent 15 years running from Saul and hiding in caves. No doubt that during those wilderness years, David was not happy about his situation, yet he was learning exactly what he would need to lead Israel into its golden age.
Let’s also consider Moses. He spent 40 years in Pharaoh’s court, then 40 years as a lowly shepherd in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt in a mighty way.
A conversation with God
Recently I came across a “conversation with God” produced by the Therismos Foundation. Here’s an adapted version:
I asked God, “Why did they leave me like I was nothing to them?”
God answered: “Judas walked with Jesus. He ate with Him and laughed with Him. And yet he still betrayed Him.”
I paused.
God continued: “Not everyone who walks beside you is truly with you.”
I then asked, “But why let me love them so deeply if they were going to break my heart?”
God said, “Because love is never wasted. What you gave reflected me. I am love. Even when they didn’t stay, you did what was right.”
I said, “But my heart hurts so very deeply. Why have I been so forgotten?”
God replied, “Joseph was left in a pit. Then he was sold, and eventually thrown into prison. But he was never forgotten. I was right there with him, writing a greater story. Just because they abandoned you doesn’t mean that I have abandoned you.”
Through pain, I asked, “Will I ever be enough for someone to stay?”
God said, “You were already enough for Me to die for. The one who stays will be someone who sees you through MY eyes, not through their wounds.”
I sighed. “Then what do I do with this pain?”
God said, “Lay it down. Even Jesus wept when Lazarus died, but He still moved forward.”
God continued: “Your heart is allowed to break – but don’t let it stay broken.”
Then, with tears in my eyes, I asked, “Will anyone here ever love me like I love them?”
God said, “Yes, but not without you letting ME love you first. Let ME be the one who heals what they could not hold.”
Finally, I whispered, “So You’re going to be here?”
And God said, “I never left. I was there when they walked away. And I’ll be here when you rise again.”
This hypothetical conversation brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me that God sees the end from the beginning. He knows what we need to become who He’s called us to be, sometimes stripping away what we thought we needed and putting us through difficult times so He can give us what we actually need – for His glory and for our joy.
In closing, remember Hebrews 12:2, which says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We know Jesus wasn’t eager for the cross; He asked three times if another way was possible. But for the joy set before Him, He endured the pain. And because He did, we have the blessing of eternal life with Him forever.
So yes – endure your struggles. God has blessings beyond measure for you on the other side.
Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., is an award-winning and best-selling author and a popular speaker at conferences and retreats. Reach him at danielbobinski@protonmail.com or (208) 649-6400.
