There are many people in this world who feel like giving up because of the trials and challenges in their path that seem too difficult to overcome. They feel as if they have endured enough and they just can't take it anymore. What they fail to realize is that with our own strength we can accomplish nothing, but with God's strengthening nothing shall be impossible to us. When we take our eyes off of our own ability and focus more on God's ability, we will be encouraged to try again knowing that God favors those who trust in Him and He will make victory their own. The key however is within our hands; we must dig our heels in and refuse to give up or give in no matter how discouraged we may feel and no matter how high the mountain before us seems to be. (Isaiah 40:28-31) (Mark 10:27) (Luke 1:37)
The apostle Paul knows about weakness. He knows about enduring pain. At one point he asked the Lord three different times to take a thorn from his flesh and God answered Paul and said “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” At God's response, Paul rejoiced and said “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” God's answer of grace and strength meant more to Paul than his own healing. We should take comfort in knowing that God will be just as faithful to us in our tribulations. And that is why we must never give up. We must continue on in faith knowing that our victory surely lays ahead. (2 Corinthians 12:8-11) (2 Corinthians 11:22-33)
When Paul came to the end of his life he said in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul didn't say I quit the race or I got tired and will continue the race another time. He said I finished the race. He stayed faithful despite the beatings he took, the ridicule he endured and the suffering that he went through to preach Christ. He stayed faithful despite all the discouragements and because he did, we now call him a giant in the faith. We learn from his writings that take up half of the New Testament. We are encouraged and inspired by the testimony that he has left us and I pray that we learn to be as faithful to the Lord even in the midst of our raging storms just as the apostle Paul was. (Job 13:15)
No matter what we may go through, we can stand up again, we can try again, we can continue on no matter how bleak the situation may seem. Giving up should never be a part of our mentality or our vocabulary. We who have entrusted our life to the Lord know that a new beginning is possible with Him and God will be faithful to strengthen us, to encourage us and to equip us with all that we need to finish the race just like Paul did. No matter how hard the storms are raging, matter how tough the battle may seem, be encouraged to continue on and fight the good fight of faith. The Lord who hasn't left you in times past won't leave you now. Stay faithful to Him and know that God will never leave you nor forsake you. (Mark 13:13) (Philippians 2:13-16)
–Dwayne
My New Book: Messages Of Hope: Words of Encouragement That Will Inspire, Lift Up, Challenge and Edify Your Spirit available on Amazon.
Click here to get your copy http://amzn.to/133gc7k
No comments:
Post a Comment