Take heart

I'll be honest...life has been hard. Harder then I thought it would be. Everytime I face another battle, I praise the Lord for His goodness and victory, but then think it's over--that I've gotten through the worst of it and life will be better now. But no, things like to jump up and surprise me, right in the middle of the stillness I finally found, and disrupt it. Just when I can catch my breath I lose it to something else. Why is it that when we have gotten through an obstacle, then we can be relieved? Why is it that once we get to a place where we have what we've wanted and desired, we are satisfied? Why is it that our joy is based off circumstances?

Following God does not mean our struggles disappear and that everything is better. He never promised it would be easy, but He promised he'll work through it all for good. Jesus says in this world there will be trouble, but for us to take heart for He has overcome the world. To take heart means to be encouraged, hopeful, and to not give up. It's a call to be courageous, knowing Christ's victory overshadows all the troubles we face. It's having faith in God's strength and provision even when going through hardships.

We will have challenges in life, and we have a choice whether to face it with confidence in the Lord knowing He has a purpose, or to face it by yourself  without Him. Are you longing to grow closer to God through your struggles or are you just trying to quickly get through it, waiting and longing for only the good to come back. We can't stop or pause in the middle of the battle, and just go through the motions. We have to stand up with courage, strong in Jesus and the Word, and fight for our faith. It's not easy, but if you continue to put effort into your relationship with God, it will bring good results. Prepare before the battle. Plus, the beautiful truth is that Jesus already has the victory, He has won, death has been defeated. Believing that truth and living it out is the whole point.

How you feel does not depend on your circumstances. If we base our emotions off whether times are good or hard, we will never be fully satisfied. God is the God of the mountains and valleys. He doesn't change when things in our life change. Well may change but the Lord is our solid rock, a firm foundation on which we can stand, a place of steadiness, where we won't be shaken. And yes, we will fall at times, but God will be there to pick us back up. There is something so much more beautiful when we lean on God in the midst of chaos. You don't want to miss it. You can find stillness in the thick of it. You can find everlasting joy. You can find a deeper kind of peace when you turn to God and rely on His strength, even in the struggles. God has a purpose for your pain and His promises are faithful and true. He won't let you down. So take heart :))