CONSIDER IT
Imagine a baseball game in which the team on the field had a slow-throwing pitcher and no players at first, second or third base. How interesting would it be to watch? Not very. The batters would bang out hits so easily that there would be little suspense. In fact, if the batters knew ahead of time they would be up against such a weak opponent, they probably wouldn't even bother to practice. No, we like to watch games where the athletes are up against some real challenge. We cheer when they persevere against real odds and overcome them. That's the kind of victory worth hoping for. Easy, lazy victories require little strength and little hope. Today we will consider the role that perseverance plays in building our hope muscles and creating victories worth celebrating.
When you were a child, did you tend to stick to activities you knew you were good at or did you try things that required hard work and the risk of failure?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life, but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in the fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One. It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way"
How easy is it for you to pour your energy into seeking God rather than a problem-free life? What helps you do that? What gets in the way?
"Self-pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper into the mire. As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound. Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence shining down on you. Though the Light looks dim from your perspective, deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth. While you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss of despair. Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand. I will pull you out into the Light again. I will gently cleanse you, washing off the clinging mire. I will cover you with My righteousness and walk with you down the path of Life"
Why is self-pity such a danger? What is the solution to self-pity?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Romans 5:1-5; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-3
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us"
ReplyDelete(Romans 5:1-5 / New International Version)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior - Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good"
(Titus 2:11-14 / New International Version)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders an the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart"
(Hebrews 12:1-3 / New International Version)