Posts
Thursday, March 3
What tests your spiritual endurance?
*finances?
*lack of a job?
*no insurance?
*home foreclosure?
*your spouse’s affair?
*a child with an addiction?
*a husband hooked on porn?
*death of a child or other loved one?
*the twisted knife in your back from your best friend?
On occasion, many of these strike at once causing chaos to overwhelm us. Our eyes spill over with the tears of heartache. Discouragement sets in.
What do we do? Have a pity party? Get in a nasty mood? Throw a fit? Camp out with a negative attitude? Stomp around yelling at everyone?
What happens to our hope? To our faith? To our spiritual endurance?
David wrote, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!” (Ps. 42:5 NLT)
Who comes to mind as a biblical victor, a spiritual endurer? James wrote, “For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:10-11 NLT)
I love reading Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Listed are the names of all those who persevered from Abel to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and all the rest…by faith, by faith, by faith. They held to the backside of the cross, having the faith to see what was yet to be. They had no anchor of hope in Christ as we do.
And they all endured!
Our faith walk should be like Abraham’s, for he knew God kept His promises, “He drew strength from his faith, and, while giving the glory to God, remained absolutely convinced that God was able to implement His own promise.” (Rom. 4:21 Phillips)
Paul also said of Abraham, “No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.” (Rom. 4:20 Amp) His words of praise strengthened his faith, connecting Him to God’s power.
And what of Paul? Didn’t he endure horrendous afflictions?
He said, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9TLB)
What is your attitude as you endure your trials? Do you hide in the cellar of doubt and worry or hang out in the attic of praise and gratitude? Do you give up or rest in the power of God? Are you a spiritual victim or victor?
Does Jesus say to you, as He did to Peter when he began to be overwhelmed by the waves, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31b NKJV) Or does He say to you as He did to the woman that came to Him on behalf of her demon-possessed daughter, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire”? (Matt. 15:28 NKJV)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb. 12:1-2a NKJV)
As you look to the Lord in your time of trouble, may He complete and perfect your faith that you may be a spiritual victor.
Great post Lynn, good question too... I have caught myself more than once having a pity party :) and I was really disappointed with myself... Most of the time I end up in front of the mirror, preaching myself happy! Repenting of the whining and quoting and declaring all God's wonderful promises over me. That always works!
Good reminders, Lynn. Sadly I can say yes to too many things on your list, but God brought me through every one and I have learned to trust Him in all things.
Great post Lynn...such a powerful reminder to keep pressing on...as you stated if the ones on the 'back side' of the cross could press on...we have even more reason to finish as we press on as we have our security in what Christ Jesus has already done!!! By the way....I just saw your website that has your book that will soon be available....praise God Lynn!!!!! By the way, this is Teresa from Triumphant Victorious Reminders...you are lovely!!!
Amen, Lynn. What a great lesson and reminder to stay focused on God and to seek Him.
Thanks Lynne! I so needed that today. :)
Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration! Fantastic post!
LOL I love that, Marja! I need to try that! I try to praise the Lord but once in a while...Thanks, sweetie!
It's in those difficult times we learn to trust and have faith, isn't it? Doesn't seem possible. Thanks, Cecilia!
Hey, Teresa! Thanks so much for stopping by. So glad to see you here. I deeply appreciate the comment. Blessings to you!
Thank you, dear Kimberly! I so appreciate your comments. Makes my heart happy! Bless you!
Bless you, Kat! I'm so happy the post spoke to your heart. Blessings to you!
Rita, it's so great to see you here, new friend! Thank you so much for your kind comment. Be blessed!
Running the race. Staying the course.
Love you!
Spiritual endurance is one of those qualities we hope to possess, but we really don't know if we have it until it is tested. Paul is my favorite example of perseverance in times of trouble. Hebrews 10:23 is one of my life verses: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Great post Lynn!
Thanks Lynn for sharing :) Blessings and Happy Sunday!
Thanks, Snady! You're a peach!
As always, Deborah, your comment is so generous. Thank you!
Hey, Amanda! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it! :D
That was quite an inspirational post! Made me to sit back and introspect!
Very good points. Food for thought. I know I throw pity parties :) I don't quite think the loss of a loved one or child falls into a pity party but grief which God is in tune to. Thank goodness someday, this pain will all end!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Outlook, thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I'm honored. Blessings to you!
Thanks for taking time to read and comment, Mel. I'm honored to have you visit. Be blessed!