Thursday, June 8, 2023
Within the past few years, I have struggled with mental and physical health issues. Admittedly, some days it is difficult to choose to persevere instead of giving up. In 2021, I hit rock bottom.
I faced significant trials both mentally and emotionally. In those days, I felt defeated and questioned if God heard my prayers. There were times when I struggled with reading the Bible and praying regularly because I struggled to believe that God had a purpose for my pain. Unfortunately, the thought of giving up can slowly manifest itself in our faith and negatively affect our trust in God. I was facing spiritual warfare, and it became difficult to persevere.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to share my story with others who are going through difficult periods in their lives. I realized that if I would have given up, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share my faith and possibly impact others in the midst of their own trials. I finally saw the results of my perseverance and witnessed firsthand that God had a plan for my struggles, even when I couldn’t see it.
As we learned this past weekend, William Tyndale faced many struggles in his lifetime. Tyndale was fulfilling his calling of translating the Bible into English, which would allow the common people of England the opportunity to read the Bible themselves for the first time. He underwent persecution from the Roman Catholic Church and the English government. He was eventually betrayed by a trusted friend, captured by authorities, and sentenced to death. Up to his very last breath, he continued to pray for King Henry VIII to have a change of heart. A few short years later, God answered Tyndale’s prayer, and the king authorized the release of the first English Bible.
But what if Tyndale had given up? God calls us to follow Tyndale’s example—refuse to give up. When it seems like you are constantly knocked down, threatened, or worse, remember God’s promises to his people: he will see us through our struggles and use them for good if we continue to stand firm in faith and trust his plans.
Galatians 6:8-9
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Questions:
Aren’t you glad Jesus didn’t give up? Has there been a time in your life when you felt like giving up? What inspires you to persevere through your struggles? Do you struggle for the cause of Christ to be at the center of our society and in your home?
Next Steps:
Begin a prayer journal, writing down your struggles and surrendering them to God each night.
Join a Group this summer semester, like Finally Free, to connect with other Jesus followers and find support to persevere through your struggles. Attend Celebrate Recovery if you need to find freedom from a hurt, habit, or hangup that you’re carrying. If you are looking to grow deeper in your understanding of your life with and for God, attend GrowthTrack for direction to learn the wonderful ways you were made to serve God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for being a light within the darkness and for giving us hope during hard times. Help us to keep calm throughout the storms in our lives and provide us with peace and comfort during tough times. Give us the courage and strength to keep persevering, knowing that there is a purpose for our pain. Help us to remember your promises and trust in your will and timing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Luke 8:15
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.