The paths we chose to daily take can make a difference in our ability to
withstand the detours life throws our way. As Christians if we always chose to
take the safe path, one that is not challenging, uncomfortable & unfamiliar
then we will never truly need to rely on our faith to carry us through. Like an
undeveloped or unused muscle our faith will shrink and become weak, not able to
see us through when things are tough. Life happens to all of us but when we are
regularly engaged with working out our faith muscles- it is easier to cope
through the messiness of life.
Romans 5:3-5 says “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Hope specifically in Christ can sub stain us when things seem difficult but to get to the hope stage of your faith- you need to work out your faith daily. As we go through trials, suffering but clinging to the hand of God, we develop endurance. Just like a marathon runner learns as she begins to increase her long run from 8 to 18 miles- there is suffering that occurs to the body but if she faithfully sticks to the plan, she will come out of the training able to endure the marathon of 26.2 miles.
Endurance & the ability to endure the
hard develops character specifically strong, unbreakable character- faith
walkers knows that they can endure the hard so this iron strength character
shines through in their life by attitude, choices & perseverance. Character
that is refined by God through hardships & trials allows faith walkers to
know the true meaning of hope- hope is placing all your faith in the only one
that can truly serve you. Hope in the Lord shows that when life is piling on so
hard but the faith walkers continue to look up- they don't let their
surroundings & circumstances keep them down. They look up to the only one
who can provide all they need to persevere through the life path they have been
assigned to travel.
Keep walking, faith walker!
