By Emilie Gruben.
Do you ever worry about what tomorrow may bring? Do you think about your next family gathering-scared of what could go wrong and cause drama? Perhaps it’s a test or recital on your mind, begging for you to give in to anxiety. Real worries such as finances, health problems, and deaths demand our attention. Our fallen world assures us that there will always be destruction and despair in our lifetime. But our heavenly world assures us that we will live forever in a perfect, sinless place. Which of these sounds better? By how much, is it a superior place or idea? A lifetime compared to an eternity. Is that even a comparison? Romans 8:18 says it so clearly…“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Our lives as Christians are defined by our beliefs and our actions. Without our action, we would not have repentance. But with faith, we have no need for actions to save us. But because of our faith, we should want our actions to reflect what we believe. Did that make your head spin? I really hope not, because it’s very important to remember and understand! Romans 8:5-6 illustrates how we are set apart from others, the second we accept Christ as our Savior. Suddenly, we have a hopeful life. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
In our salvation, we already have the knowledge that nothing here is permanent. No amount of shame, despair, anxiety, or chaos can tear us from God’s hand. Despite this, we cannot help but fall into overthinking and sadness, at times. These times of tribulation do not mean you are doubting the Lord, or any less of a Christian. In fact, seeking the Lord in trials is often harder at first than becoming bitter towards Him.
To the anxious Christian: Isaiah 41:10; Joshua 1:9; 1 Peter 5:7
To the Christian who needs strength: Phil. 4:13; Isaiah 40:29-31; Exodus 15:2
To the Christian who needs to standfast: 2 Thess. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10
To the Christian who fears death: John 16:33; Ps. 73:26; Rom. 14:8-9; Ps. 23:4
To the Christian who needs to praise: Ps. 18:1-2, 59:16, 46:1, 27:1
To the Christian who needs assurance in their faith: Jer. 32:17; John 16:13; Col. 2:9-10; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Cor. 10:13
Your weariness does not make you a weak Christian. The world will tire us, refuse us, reject us, and watch us wait for the coming Savior with a curled lip. This life will hurt, but never for long. I cannot wait for the day that I meet my Father face to face after living my life as a faithful servant that never gave up. I pray this for you, my friend. Wherever you may be in life, wherever the Lord may take you: be strong in Him and you will not fall. Our strength is not in how much we can lift, how far we can run, or how little we cry. We can endure every physical pain that we encounter, and still be weak in mind. God is our strength and song.
We will never be perfect. We will have shortcomings, and maybe even doubts, if only for a second. God sees our sins, and offers us the graciousness of forgiveness. Glory in forgiveness. You are not bound to sin. 2 Cor. 12:9-10. Your mental strength is your belief that God is in control. You will not find strength in self-help books, meditation, weightlifting, or mantras, but in the complete surrender of self to your Creator. You are not your own. You are His. He will be your rescue.
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