Stewarding Spiritual Formation By Jon Lewis

Spiritual Formation in Facing Hardship

Many forms of hardship we face as leaders test our spiritual formation. Scripture often speaks about the challenge of facing these hardships, such as

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.“

I Peter 4:12

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.“

James 1:2   

Thankfully, most references follow up with encouragement that helps us be sustained during tough times. Here’s an example,

“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.“

1 Corinthians 10:13:

External vs Internal Hardship

What struck me recently is how much I think of hardship as something that attacks me from the outside, such as a situation I didn’t ask for but must now face, whether I like it or not. Rarely do I think of hardship as something I produce myself. Yet that is exactly what I believe Paul is talking about in his instructions in 2 Timothy 2:3: Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

This becomes even clearer in the next verse when he says, No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. In other words, Paul’s instruction is to keep our eyes on the commander and not allow ANYTHING, such as a civilian or non-military concern, to distract from the full-time duty of serving that commander. If the soldier analogy is about a spiritual life commitment to Christ, then “civilian affairs” would include anything that might distract or divert us from doing just that. This means that the hardship Paul is discussing is the challenge of personal spiritual discipline, of maintaining a single, clear, consistent focus on Christ.

The Hardship of Personal Discipline

The two other examples Paul uses in the following verses accentuate this theme further. Paul says an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. Again, this is not an issue of overcoming an external circumstance, such as avoiding someone trying to trip you or having to run in the face of a thunderstorm. The hardship is an internal, personal challenge—to run according to the rules and not cheat. In the context of the recent Olympics, it would mean not taking illegal steroids or drugs that give unfair advantages. The endurance required is what it takes personally to win fair and square.

Next, Paul references the farmer who enjoys the fruit of his labor only because he has been personally disciplined enough to fully work the field and cultivate the crops to enjoy the end product. Like the athlete, there are no shortcuts to the final fruit without the necessary labor (i.e., hardship).

New Resources for Personal Spiritual Formation

Lately, I have been impressed with the resurgence of interest in disciplined personal spiritual formation. For me, this has included a small group using the Rooted Network Workbook, which promotes the Seven Rhythms of a Disciple, and John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way book and course, which encourages Nine Practices that form a Rule of Life. In both cases, these are means that can help anyone become more consistent and successful in stewarding their spiritual formation.

So, how does hardship relate to any of this? Choosing to be a disciple of Christ is not hard to do. However, maintaining the day-by-day consistency of a faithful disciple who chooses to BE with Jesus, BECOME like Jesus, and DO what He does is a tough, challenging road to walk. And it is one we will not be successful at all alone. That is why Paul says to Timothy, Endure hardship WITH US (2 Tim 2:3). Discipled personal spiritual formation has to be done in the community. I am deeply grateful to a cluster of seven men who, for over a decade, have met together every single week for coffee and prayer, becoming a true community of accountability.

In a world that is increasingly hostile to biblical values and the Christian worldview, it is easy to be constantly overwhelmed by the external hardships that broadside Christ-followers daily. This is all the more reason that we, especially those in leadership roles, must be equally disciplined to endure the hardship that comes from inside when we steward our spiritual formation well.

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Jon Lewis is a Senior Associate for Partnership Advancement with OC International. He focuses on encouraging global Christian leaders toward greater ministry effectiveness. With over 40 years of experience, he has served as an MAF mission pilot in Africa and as CEO of Partners International.

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