all challenges lead to growth- Motivation Monday
ALL CHALLENGES LEAD TO GROWTH
You will find that most of these passages echo the same thing over and over - trust in Him through your challenges and God will reward you. The last 4 years have brought challenge after challenge after challenge for me, but the result is undeniable. I have never had this much faith. I have never been this close to God. I have never had a prayer life this robust. Why? Because I have learned to accept the challenge - accept the hard and embrace it with every fiber of my being. Each challenge, each obstacle I overcome, brings me closer to God.
I pray these verses help you this week, as you walk through obstacles this week. I pray you keep these on hand for when you desperately need it.
MONDAY
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The book of Isaiah holds a special place in my heart - it brings me back to when I was a kid, hearing "On Eagle's Wings" at my father's funeral. Over time, I have embraced the whole book. I find so much comfort and strength from it, with so many verses reflecting on the power and love and providence of our God. God is with us all the time. Day, night, no matter what. Just that is enough comfort sometimes. "Fear not," He is with you - always. How can you not be comforted by that? You father, your leader, your example in life is ALWAYS with you, always loving you. God promises to provide us with strength, and with help. When you’re feeling like you can’t go on or you just don’t know how you’re going to get through the day, God will be right with you to provide you with the strength and help you need, to get through whatever you’re facing.
TUESDAY
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."”
This is one of the most frequently quoted verses of the bible of all time, and it's one of my favorites. There must be a reason it's a favorite for so many. What we think is right may not actually be - we must trust in Him to lead us to the right choice. What does this have to do with challenges you ask? What we may perceive as a huge hurdle, a single challenge or series of ongoing challenges, may in fact be exactly what God needs you to go through. He has a plan - we must trust that He knows what is best for us. Just because we're in over our heads does not mean God is no longer in control. Our understanding may not be caught up to His will yet - and that's okay. In the end, it all works out. God makes things beautiful things out of the most broken situations.
WEDNESDAY
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
This one is very similar to yesterday's - Those who maintain trust in God during hardships will receive "the crown of life." What does that mean? I take this to mean that eternal life is promised to all who love God and follow His ways. Our faith only grows stronger when faced with challenges. Trust God through each challenge we encounter pushes us towards being Christ-like - trusting God more, and more deeply, and with greater endurance. This choice to keep trusting God amidst challenges and trials brings His blessing. Our circumstances may be hard, but we have God always. God is on the side of those who trust Him through life's most difficult moments.
THURSDAY
“Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
This is the most simple one, in my opinion. Trust in God and you can overcome anything. No more explanation needed. Trust in Him and you can reach eternal life.
FRIDAY
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”
Have you ever heard the phrase "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger"? Well.....there is truth to that. Suffering brings endurance. Suffering brings perseverance. There is a point to suffering. God rewards those who push through, who endure suffering, and work through those seemingly impossible times. Suffering is something we should expect - but we must remember that happiness and joy are something we can CHOOSE. We have the power to CHOOSE to be happy or not. When we choose joy, we can obtain the fruits of that choice, walking in God's spirit.
SATURDAY
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
We've all had those moments where we say "I can't do this anymore" - it happens when you're trying to do something all on your own, facing a seemingly impossible challenge all on your own. The moment we start using our faith, it becomes a beacon of hope. What you once thought was impossible suddenly becomes possible. These battles are not yours, but His. Let him fight your battles for you! Surrender. I repeat, SURRENDER. It's a scary concept, but one that is necessary. This is a key concept in spiritual warfare: TRUSTING in God's control and power and surrendering your own. Have faith with each challenge, letting God take control, and watch yourself grow in faith, in ability, in everything. You are NEVER alone.
SUNDAY
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Our trust in God is a known, it's something secure. We must always remember that our relationship with God is always there, never ceasing. No matter what trials on earth we endure, we can have joy. Through our faithful obedience, to Him, through our trust and love, he will be there to give us joy. We live not for this earthly life, but for our eternal life with God. So no matter what struggles we must endure on earth, the idea of eternal earthly joy can help carry us through.
So as you proceed through this week...
...remember that God loves you. God is with you ALL the time. And no matter what you are experiencing in life right now, in the end, it will be okay. You will grow in ways you never even thought possible.
God Bless!
