As we travel through life and grow spiritually we will come to many times where we hit a wall and feel like we will never make it through the storm. We question why God is allowing these struggles in our life and why it is we must battle these things. It never seems like there is a purpose to the major trials in life when we are drowning in the waters trying to cry out for hope and help.
We go through these seasons for a reason and I am here to tell you that you're not alone in going through these seasons. You are not alone in facing your trials or wondering why you got put there in the first place. This season has a purpose and a reason that may not make sense in the moment but will prove to be completely worth it in the end.
Every Christian has taken on some storm or battle in their lives. The apostle Paul was a great example of this! He was battered, beaten and thrown in prison and left with no hope but the love of Jesus Christ. Blamed for actions he didn't commit and received little to no comfort from anyone besides Luke and a few others. He spent many nights alone in a cold filthy jail cell with little to no food. He knew what it was like to go through a storm. To feel hated, unwanted by the people who he tried to reach, and be rebuked by the religious leaders of the time.
However, through all of this he kept the faith! He stayed and remained strong in the Lord even though his physical body was failing him. When his own Jewish brothers and sisters turned against him to have him stoned and left for dead, he still kept the faith and refused to give up on them. He would continue to pray for them and be an example of the love and humility they lacked for their own people.
Jesus told us that we would go through struggles, heartaches, suffering, and that we would be despised just like Him. But He did say He'd wipe away every tear we cried, He'd never allow us to walk through this world alone, He'd always be right there by your side, and He promised to love you unconditionally regardless of how many times you fell short. A song that is good at reminding us of this is The Promise by The Martins. This song really helps outline what it is what has been promised to you and uplift your spirits when you're in the middle of that storm.
Around the world our brothers in sisters in Christ are being persecuted to an extent like we have never seen and hopefully never will see here in America. Pastors in China and other countries have to worry about being imprisoned or worse for spreading the word of God. We must remain continually in prayer for them and give them the support to help see them through. They are taking on the ultimate challenge and making the tough sacrifices that we do not have to here in our country.
With that being said there may come a time where you may have to choose to do whats right and make a sacrifice for God in your life. You may have to be willing to give up your pride and be willing to say you love Jesus while being surrounded by a crowd that mocks you for it. You may have to be willing to stand on the word and be a light to those who would spit in your face and ridicule you for reading a "centuries old book."
I encourage you to hold fast to your testimony and never let anyone shut out your light. Do not ever allow anyone to come between you and your relationship with God. Never sacrifice anything that would corrupt your soul or insult the love of God in your life. You will be rewarded for your loyalty and being willing to stand in the gap when no one else would. You will be given a white robe and be seated at His table in heaven because He has gone to prepare a place for you!
9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them. (Revelations 6:9-11 NLT)
I ask for you to accept God and stand for Him now just like he stood for you while being whipped and beaten so that you won't have to face that great and terrible day of judgement and hear Him say, "I knew you not." Stand for Gods love and hold fast to His testimony and the testimony He has placed on your heart. Be encouraged by His promise to never leave or forsake you and take on each storm with the mindset that He is with you. Take on each battle knowing you serve a God who has overcome it all and who holds that keys to victory over sin and death. Know that you serve a powerful God and give Him thanks in all that you do for He is worthy to be praised. Believe that you are a son or a daughter of a King who knew you before you were born and who wipes away every tear you cry. He is willing to fight your battles and help you through all your trials, but you can't forget that you are in the storm for a reason and He alone deserves the glory for your success. When you make it out of your storm and your scars begin to heal, take hold of your testimony and give Him praise for all He did and all He is going to continue to do!!! For within Christ we can do all things!
Comments