Endure It!

[2diva]

There's nothing that can teach you patience except enduring a test or trial that lasts longer than you expect or want it to. It is not until you are at stretched to the limit and witness for yourself, the supernatural sustaining grace of God, that you are strengthened in both your faith and resolve. You can't grow up in God without first going through the furnace of affliction.

I know it can be tough and unpleasant, but know that God allows us to go through difficulties, not to break us down, but to build us up, so we'll come back stronger, wiser, better and more equipped to face the storm on the next time.

Somebody reading this blog today is going through a personal storm. You don't see the end in sight and you want to know how long you'll have to go through it.

But instead of focusing on how long, think about how strong you'll be after the storm passes over. Consider how much more powerful your testimony will be. You'll be able to look somebody else in the eye and tell them, "This too shall pass," because you'll remember how heavy your burden was and how God lifted it. You'll think back on how dark the night was and  how joy came in the morning. You'll consider how distressed you felt and how God gave you peace in the midst of it all.

Please know that, God is developing your witness and your testimony right now, so you can tell somebody else, if you just hold on just a while longer, it's gonna be alright. It's gonna work out soon.

I know that many times, we would prefer that the storm just skip over us altogether. But if we never had to face any giants, we wouldn't know that our God is a giant slayer. If we never came face to face with any obstacles, we would never be able to say that we're overcomers. 

So today, I feel led to encourage you to endure. Don't stop believing. Don't throw in the towel. Don't be discouraged. Rather, stand firmly fixed in your faith, knowing that you serve a faithful God who is a deliverer. He is a healer and a provider. He's a strong tower and a way maker.

He sees every hindrance, roadblock and stumbling block that has come to trip you up, but you won't fall. You won't succumb. You won't be defeated, because the Lord is on your side. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within you.

And every time you might even think about giving up, the Holy Spirit will begin to minister to your spirit and build you up. He'll stir up a "I believe I can make it" way down in your soul. The Lord will send you a word to empower you to keep on going forward another day... just like this one.

Things might be rough right now, but endure it.

Joy is coming in the morning...!