You may have heard the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Well a simple search of the internet tubes you’ll find that there are many other versions of this.

For example, when the going gets tough…

• the tough get knitting!” (my wife would be included in this)
• slime molds start synthesizing” (bet you didnt know that. I didn’t.)
• the tough find alternatives to slashing prices to entice home buyers in slowing markets.”
• the tough outsource”  (why not when you can get labor for half the cost!)
• the tough revive 90210” (oh yeah! there’s a sure fire winner!)

Despite these amazing examples, I’ve come the wonder if Christians need a new slogan.

Perhaps this one:

When the going gets rough, the Godly take that as a sign that the door is closed.

Okay, I’ll be up front here. I believe God does close and open doors. We see God do it in scripture. But I wonder if we take this “God closed the door” route too quickly. I wonder if we’ve become so influenced by our cultures need for comfort and security that we’ve taken this idea of God closing a door and we use it as an excuse to get out of situations that are hard.

I can think of many times in my past where I or my family was faced with challenges and difficulties. Each time we had to wonder, “is God closing this door?” I’ll be honest that there have been times that I believe we have given up on things that God probably would have wanted us to pursue.

The question that quickly arises from this thought is, “when do we know when he is closing a door and when he is not.” 

So what is a better option? When the going gets rough, what do we do?

Well, this might sound simplistic but perhaps its things like…

• Fasting.
• Praying.
• Taking a silent retreat.
• Get in community.

“Storms do not mean that the journey is futile. Jesus is claiming his own and the powers of the world will do their best to resist.”