If you have run with infantrymen and they have tired you out,
How can you compete with horses?
If you fall down in a land of peace,
How will you do in the thicket by the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)

The prophet Jeremiah was given the unenviable task of preaching to the nation of Israel the consequences of their sinful behavior. Jeremiah was facing some challenging times, but God was preparing him and letting Jeremiah know that it’s going to get harder before it gets better.

When I was in flight school one of my classmates lamented the challenges of our Aviation Indoctrination phase of training. A student who was in advanced training frankly told him, “It’s going to get a lot harder.” Training in the military is designed to be difficult to prepare one for the hardships of war.

God was preparing Jeremiah for the spiritual battles that he would encounter. You may be going through a challenging time right now – don’t despair.  God is developing perseverence and tenacity in your life. Reality does not accommodate itself to our personal desires. We will face difficult and challenging times, but God is with you – just like He was with Jeremiah:

“And they will fight against you but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:19)