When going through trials we can often feel no-one understands or that no-body has experienced what we are going through. However, the truth is all of the heroes of the faith in the bible went through storms, faced great difficulties and shared the same emotions we feel today. Job faced incredible testing, Joseph faced severe trials, the disciples of Jesus were persecuted for their faith in Him; yet it was their closeness to God that kept them going. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).
2. HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS
The reason we are encouraged to soak ourselves in scripture is so that we can recite them when the lies of the enemy come our way and the storms of life feel overwhelming. Let us keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. Below I have listed a few great scriptures and I recommend memorising them, declaring them aloud this week, putting them on your fridge, or finding ways to learn them so that when you feel weak, distant or where there is no way forward, you will be reminded that God is greater than our situations and is faithful through it all.
but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor 15:57
the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. – Isaiah 41:10
3. CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARDS LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS
If we are to press on then we need people that we inspire us to be more like Jesus. We need people that will will propel and motivate us to persevere. Sometimes giving up seems like the easiest option but when we have others around us who are spurring us on towards love and good deeds it makes a big difference. As we recognise the need in our own lives, the scripture teaches for us to consider how we may spur one another on, which clearly means it is a corporate responsibility for all Christians.
4. NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER
Whenever I have gone through tough times in the past my natural instinct was to withdraw and to distance myself from people. I didn’t want other people to know my struggles and didn’t want to burden anyone. However, I have learned that whilst being a christian is a personal relationship with Jesus, our faith cannot be lived out privately. Most people that drift away from their faith is Jesus start by isolating themselves during difficult seasons. The early church devoted themselves to fellowship and would meet together every day (Acts 2:42-46). Meeting together brings support, strength and perspective and is a hugely important way to persevering in our faith.
5. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
This is arguably the easiest of the 5 but one we do not always do. We often have great thoughts of other people and what they do but rarely do we vocalise our appreciation of others. A word of encouragement can be the difference between someone giving up and persevering. As we create a culture of building others up through encouragement, we will begin to see greater unity and strength within the church which will further enable us to not simply survive and sustain but rather to thrive and to live life to the full as Jesus promised (John 10:10).
Answers & Comments
1.DRAW NEAR TO GOD
When going through trials we can often feel no-one understands or that no-body has experienced what we are going through. However, the truth is all of the heroes of the faith in the bible went through storms, faced great difficulties and shared the same emotions we feel today. Job faced incredible testing, Joseph faced severe trials, the disciples of Jesus were persecuted for their faith in Him; yet it was their closeness to God that kept them going. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).
2. HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS
The reason we are encouraged to soak ourselves in scripture is so that we can recite them when the lies of the enemy come our way and the storms of life feel overwhelming. Let us keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. Below I have listed a few great scriptures and I recommend memorising them, declaring them aloud this week, putting them on your fridge, or finding ways to learn them so that when you feel weak, distant or where there is no way forward, you will be reminded that God is greater than our situations and is faithful through it all.
but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor 15:57
the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. – Isaiah 41:10
3. CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARDS LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS
If we are to press on then we need people that we inspire us to be more like Jesus. We need people that will will propel and motivate us to persevere. Sometimes giving up seems like the easiest option but when we have others around us who are spurring us on towards love and good deeds it makes a big difference. As we recognise the need in our own lives, the scripture teaches for us to consider how we may spur one another on, which clearly means it is a corporate responsibility for all Christians.
4. NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER
Whenever I have gone through tough times in the past my natural instinct was to withdraw and to distance myself from people. I didn’t want other people to know my struggles and didn’t want to burden anyone. However, I have learned that whilst being a christian is a personal relationship with Jesus, our faith cannot be lived out privately. Most people that drift away from their faith is Jesus start by isolating themselves during difficult seasons. The early church devoted themselves to fellowship and would meet together every day (Acts 2:42-46). Meeting together brings support, strength and perspective and is a hugely important way to persevering in our faith.
5. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
This is arguably the easiest of the 5 but one we do not always do. We often have great thoughts of other people and what they do but rarely do we vocalise our appreciation of others. A word of encouragement can be the difference between someone giving up and persevering. As we create a culture of building others up through encouragement, we will begin to see greater unity and strength within the church which will further enable us to not simply survive and sustain but rather to thrive and to live life to the full as Jesus promised (John 10:10).