Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. ~1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)
The ability to be steadfast indicates that we have a believing hope in the Lord. It’s a committed and unshakeable trust in God. When we say we are trusting in God and then stay anxious and upset we are not being honest. If we say we are trusting in God and live in despair most of the time, then we are not really trusting in God. If we live in constant stress and worry and have no joy, what witness is that to our children, spouses, friends, and coworkers that are looking for a believing hope? To live discontent, anxious, upset, and in despair will hinder us from abounding in the work of the Lord and that is what we are called to do. The world needs something to believe in and there is no greater place for any one of us to hang our hopes than on our loving God. He is an amazing Father, and our lives should reflect that we know we are children of the King of Kings. It's an unshakeable confidence in God's love towards us that gives us victory over the onslaught of negative thoughts and emotions that the enemy incites. Scripture tells us in James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (NIV) When we are submitted to God, we are in the perfect place to rest while overcoming the enemy. We might not always feel like we are overcoming, but Jesus said His power is made perfect in our weakness and Paul’s response to that statement was “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” (NIV) We too can rejoice when we feel weak!
Don’t let negative thoughts and emotions distract you from being a witness to the amazing life God has called you to. The Lord tells us in 1 Peter 5:6-10 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV) Are you counting on that promise? Are you doing your part? Are you casting your anxieties on the Lord and believing for him to strengthen and establish you? Our dependence on God is the path to our success. The enemy will become more of a nuisance than a major problem to us when we are trusting in the Lord and casting down his lies. Spiritual growth comes from developing spiritual muscles and that can only be done by remaining steadfast to your believing hope in a loving God. We know troubles are going to come and we might not always be able to get out of them. That is why we need to learn to pray for steadfastness to get through them! That’s growing up in Christ. Our perseverance pays off! Those who are resting in God and believing He is working on their behalf are those who are truly trusting in God.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. ~Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
What cares are you casting on the Lord today?
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