A one-word reminder as you struggle in your trials
Do you ever find yourself needing to be re-encouraged when a new challenge careens into your life?
Sometimes, when I'm bearing something heavy, it's like I have spiritual amnesia. I resemble the despondent father who pleaded with Jesus, saying, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NIV).
I've heard many promises that God is with me, that Jesus has overcome the world, that I should be strong and courageous, that I should be still.
I've heard them over and over, and yet I need to hear them again and again.
Maybe that's why the Holy Spirit so often speaks to our worries, from Old Testament to New. He knows we're forgetful, weak and fearful. He knows how human we are.
Here are two familiar Scriptures I've recently revisited (in the NLT). They've been the reminders I've needed.
First, from James:
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4, NLT).
The following passage in Romans helps shed more light on this relationship between joy and endurance:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Rom. 5:3-5, NLT).
The context of each verse is of course different, but their agreement about building endurance resonates deeply with me.
If you're a leader, whether at home, at work or in church, you will go through times where your faith is tested. You will feel helpless or weak.
A single word has been on my mind lately: Persevere.
You and I can be encouraged by Scripture's many promises in this area. If we allow the Spirit to fortify our faith, he will help us endure.
Blessings,
Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
LinkedIn profile | My books
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
More on Leadership Devotions
- How might God be trying to grow you? (by Tom Harper)
- 4 final lessons to help us wait on God (by Tom Harper)
- How to patiently wait on God (by Tom Harper)
- How to courageously wait for God (by Tom Harper)
