Over the past month I've heard the word "weary" used to describe my life and situation a lot. "physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired" I think that's a really good descriptor. I'm in the midst of a battle that seems to be never ending, and I've had about all of it I can take.
As I've discovered my God given identity and begun to embrace who He has made me to be, I've been intentional about seeking discipleship to grow and develop the characteristics that define my name. The key verse God gave me is 1 Peter 5.1-11, and one of the five themes I've identified from that passage is "Endure Suffering" (you can read more about the themes I've discovered on my personal blog, Fighting Lions, click my picture on the left and you will be linked to my blog).
Last month I met with one of the two pastors I've asked to intentionally invest in my life over the next year. As we discussed what's been going on and what I'm looking to do, we began to talk about suffering, and how we press forward through it. As we met he asked me to read Proverbs 24.16, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity." (and no, it doesn't mean that the eighth time we can stay on the ground). The man who is rooted in God can endure because he isn't living alone. He can face adversity over, and over, and over again because he isn't living in his own strength but God.
Ephesians 6.10-13 tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
The struggles we face are not flesh and blood, but spiritual. Paul says, in 2 Timothy 2.26, that people are ensnared and held captive by the devil to do his work, and so the battles we fight are spiritual; the warfare we are engaged in is spiritual. The only way we endure is by drawing strength from God.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40.28-31)
It is only in God that we can stand firm.
It is only in God that we can endure suffering and hardship.
It is only in God that our strength is renewed.
It is only in God that we can keep fighting.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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