Acts 14:21-22 AMPC
When they had preached the good news (Gospel) to that town and made disciples of many of the people, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, [22] Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 17:22 AMPC
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 18:14 AMPC
The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?
Watching Denmark play Russia in the Euros, showed how a strong heart can overcome hardship. That team went through the trauma of seeing Eriksen nearly die on the pitch during their first match, which they eventually lost!
Miraculously they overcame Russia to the delight of their fans, and hence qualified for the knock out round of 16. The raw joy on their faces when the final whistle blew, was something to behold.
Pardon me for using the football illustration, but when our final whistle blows, there will be an abundance of unadulterated joy exploding in our hearts - not just for a temporary victory, but for an eternal one. This fervent anticipation can translate the resilience needed to go through the hard times with a strong spirit.
The passages above remind us that no easy road awaits us as believers. It's not "come to Jesus and everything will be a bed of roses". Indeed Jesus warned "in this world you will have tribulation" - but TAKE COURAGE, I have overcome the world!
Best be armed with the hard facts of this life so that when trouble comes (as it surely will), you can stand firm in the faith.
We need to be strengthened in our walk with Jesus, otherwise we will go under at the first obstacle in our way.
There's a peculiar verse in James which says: "Count it ALL JOY when you encounter trials of many kinds" James 1:2
Of course, I want to say "Come off it James, what are you on about? How can I count it all joy when I've just lost a loved one, or been diagnosed with a terminal disease, or lost my job? That's ridiculous!
Paul reminded believers that it is through many hardships that we enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
It's not a message we want to hear but if we are prepared in our hearts for the struggle, the Holy Spirit will provide the joy and the grace to overcome each trial in our way.
The lovely old hymn, Amazing grace, puts it this way:
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
It was grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home
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