Sometimes it takes a long time for God to act suddenly. We hear testimonies of God healing people in an instant, but often forget the months or years that they had been praying for that breakthrough. Today’s culture has embraced the instant, and sometimes we forget the importance of persistence and our Biblical mandate to not give up when the going gets tough.
Many of us think that if God is in something, it’ll work out perfectly (sometimes this is an unconscious belief). But I want to remind you that from the foundation of the world there was a plan for Jesus to be born, and yet there was no room in any hotel for Him when Mary went into labor! You would think that for the birth of the Savior of the world there would be a reservation for Him somewhere. My point is that even in promises and long-term plans, there may be challenges or things may not look exactly how we would think!
Today I want to encourage you that if you’re in the waiting, do not give up! Your persistence in hard times actually has a purpose. Check out today’s Flashback Friday video for more:
COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR
In a nutshell:
• “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
• Don’t give up! When things get hard, press in and keep going!
• Keep doing what God asked you to do, even if it’s been for years, until He gives you something new.
• 2 Corinthians 4:8,15-16 (emphasis added) says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
• Grace was abounding when Paul refused to give up! So, grace spreads when we don’t quit.
• Grace often spreads by your sacrifice.
• Jesus did everything that He was supposed to do, now He’s waiting for you to do what you’re supposed to do.
BATTLES BOND
Whenever we encounter giants, God is close. There’s something about battles that bring us closer to Him, and I believe that challenges nourish our covenant connection with God. When we walk through the fire, God is with us; and when we walk through the water, He is there.
Today I want to encourage you that if you’re in the middle of facing a giant, choose to cleave to your heavenly father. Allow the battles to bond your heart closer to His. Hold onto courage, be bold, and keep pressing on. I know that He is with you and I pray that you’ll feel His presence close to you today. Lastly, remember that your sacrifice causes grace upon grace to be spread to those around you!
Do you have testimonies of God’s closeness in times when you had to persevere? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
