Daily Devotions - Perseverance
It takes courage to overcome fears and past defeats and to go for what we want. It doesn't matter if it's seconds later or years later, perseverance and self-coaxing are necessary to create a new outcome, to forge a new possibility.
When crisis and pain hit, we need to walk through the fire instead of looking for a way out or around it, denying it or disguising it (alcohol, anger, etc). God's promises can sustain us.
God is gently reminding me to keep my eyes on Him, my trust in Him, and to embrace Him in the process; because it's time to grow!
Like my father, it's really our decision to run away or run with the weight on. That means keep running in the middle of pain, grief, sadness, loneliness, anger, or fear. Keep on praying, reading your Bible, and speaking the Word of God over your life.
It is a guarantee that storms will come, and they will pass. But it is what we do in the middle of them that makes us victorious.
When it appears that you've encountered worst case scenarios, don't run - persevere! Pray earnestly and wait for God's strength to carry you through.
There have been times in my life when the circumstances of life have caused me to say, "What's the use? I give up. Nothing's going to change." And yes I have prayed, "Lord, take me home." This has occurred in my life when I lost sight of God and I let circumstances draw me away from my relationship with God.
I discovered a new delight. Kickboxing. I've learned great lessons I never expected. As I stumbled through learning the moves, Holy Spirit brought verses to my mind along with a charge to make the spiritual connection.
We see David rise, fall, and rise again; and we learn from this shepherd warrior king that there is no sin that cannot be washed away and forgiven.
Sometimes when you make a decision to move foreword you need to burn all ships of retreat. If God has you in a position to do His work, then you need to burn all ships of security and go after it. No retreat, no surrender. Will you perish or win in the Lord’s name?
A pastor describes what he went through after a disaster in his personal life as the four Ds: Depression, Despair, Defeat, and finally Despondency.
Circumstances that involve loss, unfair treatment, illness, or broken relationships are the wilderness places that God uses to shape, refine, and carve character into us, if we'll let Him.
When we step up to the tee to drive the ball down the fairway, we intend to hit the green, maybe even make a hole in one, but we all find ourselves in the sand trap now and then. Getting out of the sand takes perseverance.
As young believers, we jump over the incoming waves holding on to Jesus' hands. When we get knocked down a bit, we learn that Jesus is still standing in the waves of our lives with His hands ready to steady us as we get back up and try some more.
|