“Hangeth thou in there, O baby!”

Oh, yeah?

Are you in a place of misery? Are you at your wits’ end?

How can you endure? How can you “hang in there”? How can you stand firm?

First, pray

First, always first, look to the Lord and pray.

Second, ask whether you need to act.

It may be that the Lord wants you to do something to change the situation. If so, ask Him what to work on. (Legally! Righeously!)

Do what needs doing.

But do you need to endure?

It may be that you have to endure the situation.

We are expected to endure

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

… but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses … (2 Corinthians 6:4)

You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1–3)

HOW TO ENDURE

STOP!

If it is possible to step away and get your head/heart straight, do so. A breather. A time not to be in the midst of the battle, but a time to get before the Lord. If it isn’t possible, try to get away mentally.

Stop thinking about yourself and your misery.

Stop that internal dialogue about how awful it is.

LOOK!

We may not have a choice about whether we have to endure.

But we do have a choice about how we will endure.

The key is to look to Him rather than your own misery; To set your mind on things of the Spirit, not things of the flesh. (Romans 8:5-8)

Fix your eyes upon Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

LISTEN!

Recall God’s promises:

He allowed this for a loving purpose.

He will bring good out of it, making your more into the image of Christ.

He is with you through this and for you in this.

Remind yourself:

You have been given everything you need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

THEREFORE, you can get through this in a way that honors your Lord. I CAN

ACT!

Ask to see this trial from the perspective of eternity.

Resolve to endure–but put your hope on God, not yourself

Determine to think, say, and do what pleases the Lord.

Determine to hang in there. Make up your mind.

Determine to endure whatever He brings or allows, looking to Him for eventual redemption and reward.

REJOICE!

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. (James 1:2)

We also exult in our tribulations… (Romans 5:3)

——

You CAN endure with joy. I CAN endure with joy.

Yes! We CAN.

What does God think of you?*

I too often tell myself what a failure I am, how unlovable I must be. In a Facebook exchange I was assigned the letter “d,” and was supposed to send that to my friends asking them to tell me something about myself that starts with “d.” My immediate reaction was to call myself a “dumbs***.” Oh oh.

God’s wonderful truth

The wonderful fact, however, is that God loves me. He loves me!

I underestimate His love for me, and don’t comprehend the enormity of my position in Christ. Perhaps the same is true of you.

What God says about you, His child

It is helpful to periodically review God’s love for His children. Prayerfully read the following, inserting your name in the verses:

But God demonstrates His own love towards [your name], in that while [your name] was yet a sinner, Christ died for [your name]. (Romans 5:8)

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on [your name], that [your name] would be called a child of God. (1 John 3:1)

He predestined [your name] to adoption as son through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” (Ephesians 1:5)

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call [your name] brethren. (Hebrews 2:11)

Therefore there is now no condemnation for [your name] who is in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set [your name] free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1–2)

[Your name] is a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in [your name]. (1 Corinthians 3:16)

[Your name] was sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of [your name’s] inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for [your name], who is against [your name]? (Romans 8:31)

This is the truth, God’s truth

Believe what He says

We can—and must—believe what He says about us. Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, the creator of you and me, loves us. Don’t believe your negative lies about yourself. Believe God.

—

God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–please help me comprehend and feel Your love for me. Please help me grasp the truth of who I am to You. Please make Your Truth penetrate my mind, my heart, and my thoughts, words, and deeds.  Please help me substitute Your truth for my negative lies.

—

*This post is strictly for those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and trust Him, and Him alone, for salvation. This is for the children of God.

God’s Children have Faith

As children of God, we have faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

The Strength of Faith Wavers

However, the strength of our faith varies. I would like to be consistently strong in my faith, looking steadfastly at my Lord, and unwavering in my walk.

HA!

Sometimes I seem able to view the circumstances of my life through a eternal lens, knowing the Lord is there, that He has given me what I need to live a godly life, and that He will bring good out of the events. Other times, I focus on my own issues and feelings, and too often feel sorry for myself, and behave poorly. Alas.

My faith wavers with the waves of life.

I am so grateful God’s Word shows us the fallibility of His people. It encourages me to know I’m not alone in this struggle.

Peter Walked on Water–For a Moment

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28–31)

Enough Faith

Peter had enough faith to ask Jesus to tell him to come to Him, walking on the water.

Peter had enough faith to get out of the boat.

Peter had enough faith to start walking on the water towards Jesus.

Sinking

But, then, Peter looked at the wind and took his eyes off Jesus.

Once he looked away from Jesus, he became frightened and began to sink.

Enough Faith

But Peter had enough faith to ask the Lord to save him. And the Lord did.

What to Learn and Apply

That could be a story of my life, just with different details. I might start strong and sink later.

What I want to learn—and apply—from this is:

1. Always ask the Lord for guidance, for provision.
2. Get started, looking to Him.
3. Keep going, looking to Him.
4. Don’t get distracted by the wind and waves.

What to do

When you are in the midst of wind and waves:

Look to the Lord.

How do you lose one shoe?

When I was in kindergarten and first few grades (ok…maybe longer), I remember frantically running around the house hunting for … one shoe. I’d have the other one on.

My mom laughed about it later, but I’m sure it was an irritant at the time. “How do you lose one shoe?”

You lose one shoe the same way you lose your way… by not paying attention. I’m sure I’d get home from school and be focused on whatever I wanted to do (which did not involve shoes). I’d be on my way to wherever, tossing my shoes as I went.

How often do I do that sort of thing now?

The Bible is full of admonitions to keep alert, be on guard, be watchful, be awake.

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Practice being Alert

We must practice becoming aware of our thinking, and directing our focus where it belongs. I should have thought a half second about putting both shoes where I could find them.

Spiritually, I need to practice being on the alert day-by-day, moment-by-moment,

Alert against sin, temptation, and false teachers,

Actively alert in prayer, and

Joyfully alert for His coming.

Where do you put yourself on the “Alert” meter?

Christmas is the favorite holiday for many, both secular and Christian. It can be a joyous time, celebrating the Word made flesh, and dwelling among us. (See John 1:1-14)

Christmas, however, was a time of Christ’s humiliation. He humbled Himself, took the form of a bond-servant, and was made in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:6-7).

Then He humbled Himself by being obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

Christ’s obedience at Christmas and throughout His life on earth resulted in His exaltation…but not until later. Thirty-three years later.

A Son was Given

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Born in Humiliation

Jesus was born in a stable to poor parents. He was rejected by His people. He was accused of being illegitimate. He was accused of having a demon.

He created us and then allowed us to mock Him, spit on Him, scourge Him, crucify Him.

He died for us.

And our own sins were part of the reason.

Our Lord, our God, was treated abysmally. That isn’t a strong enough word.

This should hurt us.

The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me. (Romans 15:3)

He was and is God

Jesus Christ was eternal, almighty God before His birth. Jesus Christ was God throughout His time on earth. Jesus Christ is God now, seated at the right hand of the Father.

He gave up His rights and privileges as God in order to become man. He gave up His independent exercise of being God and submitted Himself to the Father. He gave up His glory in order to serve the Father and us…and to die so that those who believe in Him might live.

A time to rejoice

Christmas is truly a time to rejoice. But, remember, Christ was born in order to die for us. His birth meant His humiliation.

Sing for Joy

The last week before my mother’s death, my brother, sister-in-law, and I (with visits from her grandchildren) sat by her bed. I would read the Bible to her, especially the Psalms, not certain if she could hear me, but trusting. And, of course, the Lord spoke to me as I read.

During this sobering time, Psalm 63:7 was especially meaningful: “For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.”

The Lord was there with us, and, because He was there, He was sheltering me and I was able to sing for joy.

This is not to say that death is something to celebrate, because it is an enemy.

“The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)

But in the midst of loss and pain, I was able–I am able–to retreat under His wings … and sing for joy.

I picture being under a deep covered porch, looking out at a fierce storm, and protected from the awful weather.

I am so grateful He showed this to me in the midst of the trial. When you are in the middle of sorrow, He shelters you.

Will you rejoice?

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

What to do

1. Remember His promises:

He is with you.

He will never forsake you.

He will help you.

He will protect you.

2. As vividly as you can, picture being safe, dry, and warm under His wing. This helps translate head knowledge to heart knowledge.
3. Sing! You may croak as I did rather than sing. But sing! Whatever the trial, we have a loving, sovereign Father who is with us and will bring us through.

SING!