“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Running for a long time can be exhausting if you haven’t built up enough endurance. Exercising your faith is the same way. When life gets hard and you haven’t exercised your faith, it’s easy to crumble under the pressure. God want to condition us to trust in Him despite any and all circumstances we may face in this life. Without trials and tribulations, how can our faith be tested and our trust in God be amplified? The hard answer is that it can’t. We must trust Him just as much in the valley as when we trust Him on the mountain.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
In the very beginning, it’s not easy being a Christian. Life gets harder because you have an entire world of demonic, spiritual forces coming against you and the only thing sometimes that makes it worth sticking with it is God’s presence. But, that’s what He wants you to want, to have a true relationship with Him and depend on Him and His power completely to keep you safe as well as give you indescribable joy and peace. I used to be a bad alcoholic and a drug addict. I did those things to feel happy. Not one of those drugs came close to the feeling of peace and joy I get when I talk to God. I recently got drunk unintentionally and I was surprised at how empty, numb, and unsatisfying it was. Getting drunk was something I did almost every day for 3 years a few years ago. After tasting God’s goodness, I realized that nothing will ever satisfy me and make me truly happy like being in His presence has made me feel. Drugs and alcohol give you artificial happiness and once you have tasted the joy of the Lord, those things will never satisfy again like they did before.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kind, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
So, when you get tired on this journey of faith and you want to back to your old vices, remember that all of this testing of faith produces perseverance. This whole journey of life is meant to be lived by having faith in God and getting to personally know Him and His love for us. He created us for relationship with Him and when the fall happened, sin was born and that relationship was cut off. Then, God got tired of people not having a relationship with Him and came down as Jesus Christ. He was born a human birth and grew up to be a man who died a horrific death and became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He didn’t just die for some of us; He died for all of us who are willing to seek Him out and have a relationship with Him. He even died for the people who will never know Him. He has given everyone free will and the option to know Him and it is up to us to continue to strive to make the right decisions. When you get tired, rest in His presence and He will renew your strength.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
You don’t run a marathon without conditioning yourself to run it first. It takes time and training and so does faith. If following God were easy, everyone would do it. But, even though it’s so hard to keep your head above water at times, just to know God, have a relationship with Him and feel the peace and joy of knowing Him makes all of the hard times worth it. He gives you breaks when you are mentally and emotionally drained and He waits with you while you are taking that much needed break. The Holy Spirit is the best friend I’ve ever had and He knows me so well. There is nothing that can explain the sheer joy I feel after talking to Him, even after I’ve felt my faith has been tested to the breaking point. Some tests of faith are meant to break you so that God can shape you for the better.
“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”
Hebrews 12:12-13 (NKJV)
When you get to the breaking point, don’t lose heart. When you feel like you can’t take it anymore, rest. Life is not an all-out sprint. It’s a marathon that takes a life time to run. Every single one of us are broken, but our brokenness makes each of us unique and God works with each individual person to heal their brokenness in different ways. He created us and knows what’s best for us. He loves us unconditionally and even when we wonder why we’re struggling so much, God knows why and it’s meant for our good. Let’s finish strong, give it our all, and rest when we need to in God’s loving arms.
“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”
Isaiah 12:2. (NLT)
Rise Of The Pheonix 