by Charmayne Carter >> CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS DAY
“But the time is coming—in fact, it is here—when you will be scattered, each one returning to his own home, leaving me alone. Yet I will not be alone, for the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33 (TLB)
We live in a society where we look for happiness, we pursue the good feeling–the “green grass” of life–and oftentimes we even search for this in marriage. However, the moment when something looks or turns out different than expected we’ll start complaining and contemplate walking away.
The enemy’s sole purpose is to do anything to make you lose sight of your purpose and promise, by any means necessary. He wants you so shocked and controlled by your situation that you lose focus and say, “I didn’t sign up for this.”
If you lose your focus and give up you’ll let the enemy win… You will allow him to steal, kill and destroy your hope. Then the enemy will successfully block you from your promise.
The devil doesn’t care about you; he will use anyone/anything he can–your finances, your boss, your coworkers, your children…even your husband! However, Jesus already forewarned us that we will experience hardships. Jesus also reassures us that we have the victory because He has already overcome the world!
When your trials come do you usually try to negotiate with God for the end date? Is there a time limit to your faith or will your faith outlast the expiration date that you put on God for your problems?
I encourage you to stay focused. Meditate on the devotions that Wife UP has provided for you on our blog, and be doers of God’s Word. Trials are guaranteed to come, but persevere and pursue your promise.
Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful! Be happy about it! Be very glad! for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too. Matthew 5:10-12 Living Bible (TLB)
Maya Angelou stated, “Someone was hurt before you, wronged before you, hungry before you, frightened before you, beaten before you, humiliated before you, raped before you…yet, someone survived…You can do anything you choose to do.”
The enemy will try to make you feel isolated; he will make you believe your situation is new on the earth and no one has ever experienced what you are going through. The devil is a liar…don’t let him win! Keep going! God is working it out for the good (Romans 8:28) and he is preparing you for your next level.
Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. James 1:2-4 (TLB)
Solomon, one of the wisest men in the Bible wrote these words of wisdom in Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 (NLT):
I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy. Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 (NLT)
This scripture is commonly misquoted as “The race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to the one who endures to the end.” However, Solomon explained that time and chance happens to anyone who is living. Events in life happen to everyone–good and bad. If you desire to experience victory in your race, endure to the end. Keep running with endurance, keeping your eyes on God’s promise (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Take off the expiration date and trust God…your time is coming!
Join us tomorrow on the wives conference call at 6:00am (EST). Dial: 1-515-604-9300 Access Code: 308840.
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