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Life’s Tough and Then You Die
Life’s Tough and Then You Die
"Life Is Tough and Then You Die," was the opening line from the English TV series, “Dempsey and Makepeace” (1985/6). I do not know where the phrase originated, but it was borrowed by the writers of “Dempsey and Makepeace” because my dad was saying it to me long before 1985. I have continued to use it with my children, so much so that I start, “Life is tough…” and they will finished “and then you die.” (The rest of this article was written by Dick Brandt)
Of course, you know it is true, life can be difficult. Every family, every person, regardless of where they live, and regardless of their situation in life, there are problems. It could be related to work, personal interactions with others, or it might be financial. It could be a health issue, either your own, a family member, or a friend. I think you can see my point; we all must deal with difficulties each day.
As a Bible reader, most people, if not all, know the story of Job and the difficulties he faced. Of course, there is Lot. Life was so difficult where he lived, that he was to leave the city where he and his family were living. Then remember King David and all the problems he had. He had, as you know, difficulties with Saul, with governmental things, and family issues, just to mention a few.
Then as you read the New Testament, there are many issues that faced the Christians of the day as they lived their daily life. There were basic needs that were met by the collective support of other Christians. There was also, persecution from both the government and, religious leaders of the day. There was even imprisonment and death just for following Jesus.
Now, let me say, too, that it doesn't matter if you are a Christian or not everyone has problems and difficulties from time to time.
But here is good news, as a Christian, a child of God, you are never alone, and never without help. Note just a few passages from God's Word that provide us with words of encouragement.
- Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God."
- Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
- Matthew 28:20- "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
- Romans 13:5 - "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
- Matthew 19:29 - "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."
- Romans 8:35-39 - "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake, we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
No doubt you can think of other passages that make the same point, that we are never alone regardless of the difficulties we are facing. So, as it is stated in the opening line of the old TV show, "Life Is Tough, and Then You Die," but the good news is that God is always by our side and knows precisely the struggles we are facing, and at the end of this life there is eternal life.
Remember God knows and is always there to help as are your brothers and sisters.
