Dear Friends, Do you ever feel like giving up? I remember times in my life when taking the next step just seemed overwhelming. And I have several friends right now who are going through problems that are big . They won't be solved in the near term, maybe not in this lifetime. They all have days when they are tempted to give up on a relationship or on overcoming an addiction or on repaying huge indebtedness. But they are persevering, one day at a time, and I am their cheerleader as they do. Perseverance is an interesting characteristic: We all think we have it. Then we are tested and we find out for sure! And, even then, we don't know how we are doing with perseverance until we have been asked to endure beyond our human ability to do so. Those of you who suffer from chronic pain know what I mean. So do those of you who are in a difficult marriage, who battle depression, or who are dealing with a rebellious child.
In both of these verses, we are told to be persistent in prayer. That directive reminds us of the parable that Jesus told of the man with unexpected guests who went to borrow bread from a neighbor who had already retired for the night. Even though it meant getting out of his warm bed, Jesus said the man was willing to help his neighbor because of his persistent asking. He then applies the message to us to say that when we need something from our heavenly Father, we should ask and keep on asking, knock and keep on knocking, and eventually the door will be opened and our prayers answered. (from Luke 11:5-10) We like it when we pray and receive an immediate answer. And, thankfully, that does happen sometimes. It is as if God was just waiting for us to ask. There are other times, though, when we pray for weeks or months or years before we finally see the hand of God at work. That is why we need reminder verses (like those just cited) to remind us to keep on praying until we receive God's answer. Endurance in suffering
These verses remind us that suffering is part of life on this earth and that, for Christians, giving up is not an option. We are to hang on to our faith and do what is right and good and just and honest – even if doing so requires endurance beyond what we think we can bear. We are given many biblical examples of people who persevered in the worst of circumstances. And their stories help us to know that God does not abandon us when we are suffering. He is there with us, guiding, encouraging, and strengthening. Beware of rationalization If we know what the Bible says about persevering, what is it that makes us sometimes think that it is OK to give up? I believe it is because we are all masters at rationalization. Our case is different, or so we tell ourselves! We know what God's will is or we know what His Word says, but we are going to do it our own way anyway. We say something like this:
The cure for rationalization is submission to God's plan. Not insisting on doing it our way, but yielding to His way no matter how hard it may be to do so. But, how can we do that when we are stretched beyond our human limits? Here are a few helps: Find encouragement in God's Word. The Bible is where we will find instruction about God's standard, to be sure, but we will also find encouragement and empowerment to do the right thing no matter how tempted we are to compromise. When we are set on the solid foundation of God's Word, we won't be wavering between opinions. Instead, we will know the truth of what God says. We will become confident and sure of the path we are on even if we are tempted to rationalize or even if we have well meaning, but misguided, friends who advise us just to give up. Find comfort in prayer. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 that we should not worry about anything but, instead, we should pray about everything. God can do things we cannot even imagine to change our circumstances, to change other people around us, and to change us. We need to continue to go to Him and then to leave everything in His hands. We need to pray consistently and persistently until He answers. He will, you know. And sometimes in surprising ways. So let's leave our anxieties with Him and then to go on our way living with endurance but also with anticipation of what He is about to do. Find strength through spiritual friends. I mentioned at the beginning of this letter that I am presently a cheerleader for several friends who are going through long-lasting suffering. Look around you. Who can be a God-following supporter for you in your stresses? Go to him or her and ask for some time to talk. Get a sense from the Holy Spirit about how much you should share and, if He directs you, open your heart and allow your friend to be strong when you are weak. That is how the Body of Christ works together. And if you are in a place where you are not presently being challenged to persevere, find someone who needs to draw on your strength. There is enough strength to go around, but only if it is shared! Find hope by looking ahead. The end of our life stories has yet to be written. We are told in Hebrews 11 of prophets who died in their suffering, never seeing the fulfillment of all that they were foretelling. Some of us will die without seeing the answers to our most heartfelt prayers. But our spiritual journey does not end at death. God is still writing the stories of Jeremiah and Isaiah and Paul and John and others who lived God's way and persevered in the worst of times and circumstances. God is in charge. And the end of the story is bright and beautiful and unimaginably good for those who love and follow Him with perseverance and persistence. So, don't give up! Keep on – no matter what! The best is yet to come! Hanging on together, Bev P.S. If you know of others who would enjoy receiving this newsletter each month, please encourage them to visit my website (www.beverlyvankampen.com), click on the newsletter icon, and enter their e-mail address. I would love to add them to our circle of friends. |
