It’s Friday…Refuse Discouragement

On this Labor Day weekend, I’m sorry to break the news to you, but God never promised us a life of ease. We had trouble before we gave our lives to Him, and it’s entirely possible that our trouble may increase afterward. The way of The Cross – the way that Jesus told His followers we must embrace – is not an easy way. The road is steep and rocky, and though it leads to glory, it leads to pain first. The life of Jesus made that obvious; the life of His apostles confirmed it. Walking with Jesus is rarely casual and not always comfortable.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

You’ve probably noticed that. It isn’t an obscure fact about this world. Trials complicate our lives, and pain touches us all. Sometimes, that gets discouraging. When we’re muddling through hardship, and then more hardship strikes, we often lose heart. It can get overwhelming. Jesus did not redeem us for a life of comfort. At least, not yet.

Here’s the good news, the world and its troubles cannot crush The Spirit within us. It tries, but it can’t. It simply isn’t possible for the temporal to overcome the eternal, for the finite to eclipse the infinite, or for the darkness to shroud the glory. God lives in these clay jars of ours, and though the clay can be broken and crushed, the treasure within cannot. And this treasure, this Spirit, has wrapped Himself in our identity. When trials strike, He doesn’t leave. He shows Himself stronger and He shines brighter.

The mercy of God will not let us be overcome. Let’s remember that when we’re overwhelmed. Let’s hang on to it. Let’s cultivate the hope that He has placed within us.

How? Refuse Discouragement. It doesn’t reflect the truth. The truth is that God has saved, continues to save, and will always save. The Victor, The Savior, The Sovereign LORD is faithful. Our trials are no match for Him.

Have an uplifting weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those know Him as the only Way, the absolute Truth, and the extraordinary Life now, and forever.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)