Benjamin Ajuong Machiek
In life, we all face seasons of hardship—moments when everything feels heavy, confusing, and painful.
These seasons come uninvited, shaking our peace and challenging our strength. But in those moments of pressure, we often make the mistake of making permanent decisions based on temporary situations. This is not the way forward.
I’ve studied, reflected, and observed that nothing is truly permanent on this earth—except God and His promises. Everything else is bound to change: the seasons, the situations, even our emotions. Yet, despite knowing this, many people respond negatively to temporary problems. Why do we allow one season of hardship to dictate the rest of our lives? How does responding with fear, anger, or despair help solve the problem?
The truth is, hardship is not permanent. It’s a season. Just like we experience rainy days and sunshine, there are seasons of pain and seasons of joy. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us of this timeless truth: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to lose and a time to gain. A time to mourn and a time to dance. This means that no matter how difficult today is, tomorrow has the potential to be better.
But in the heat of our suffering, many of us give up. We make devastating choices like suicide, self-harm, theft, or even turning to drugs or crime. We lose sight of the future because we’re blinded by the present. We forget that today’s pain will pass and tomorrow can hold healing and joy.
Why do we let a temporary crisis control our thoughts, ideas, and actions? Why do we not focus on the way forward, on how we can rise above the struggle? Friend, if you are in a hard place right now, hear this: your situation is not the end of your story. You are not alone, and you are not without help. God is with you, and His promise stands firm when everything else falls apart.
The challenge is not to escape the hardship by making harmful choices, but to challenge the hardship itself. Ask yourself: what can I do to fight back in a healthy way? What positive action can I take today to move toward a better tomorrow? Can I pray more? Can I seek advice? Can I hold on just one more day?
Trusting God in hardship is not easy, but it’s the surest way to peace and hope. The Bible is full of people who went through hard times—Job lost everything, Joseph was betrayed, David was hunted—but all of them trusted God, and He turned their stories around. Your story is no different. The same God who delivered them is still at work today.
It’s also important to realize that feelings are temporary too. The depression, the anger, the hopelessness—they don’t last forever. But the decision you make in that emotional moment can last forever. So, think twice before reacting. Instead of running away from the pain, face it with faith. Instead of harming yourself or others, turn to God. Talk to someone. Cry out to the Lord. Wait on His timing.
You may feel like you’re in the darkest night, but morning is coming. There is light ahead. The pain you feel today may be shaping your strength for tomorrow. God’s promise in Romans 8:28 is clear: “All things work together for good to those who love God.” That includes your current hardship. He will turn it into a testimony if you do not give up.
So please, don’t make permanent decisions in your temporary situation. Don’t let a passing storm define your future. God is still writing your story. Hold on to Him. Trust in His promises. Walk through this season with courage, knowing it will pass.
Remember: Today is not forever. Tomorrow will not be like today. This is just a season. And like every season, it will end.
Stay strong. Choose life. Choose faith. And trust that the God who created the seasons will carry you through them.
“Guided by faith, writing for Healing of South Sudan “
Thank for reading, united we shall stand, but divided we fall.