Nevertheless: Building Endurance Based Faith

Life is such a beautiful yet challenging thing. It can be so exciting one minute and difficult to bear the next. Often times, people assume that once you give your life to Christ, that life becomes peachy and you just live a perfect life, counting down the days until your Heaven Uber picks you up! 

However, that’s the exact opposite of what I've experienced. My life has become more challenging since coming to Christ. My journey of discipleship has left me dazed and confused with God at times or even feeling abandoned by Him. But as I've grown in my relationship with Him, He's allowed me to see that there is a process for my life that is designed to help me obtain the abundant life He's promised. 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"

(John 16:33) 

My faith trials have caused me to grow in patience, trust, love, and even conquer areas of fear. What's often confused is that with God all things are made "EASY", however the scriptures reveal & my experiences confirm that with God all things are POSSIBLE! Sometimes it's hard not to confuse the two, which is why we experience so much confusion during difficult seasons.  

"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

(Matthew 19:26)

remember you have an enemy:

It is often forgotten who's responsible for the evil in the world. For some reason, God is always to blame when things go south, but praised when things are peachy. I must admit, I thought this way at some point before my walk with God. I questioned, "God, why do bad things happen to good people?, why are children dying of disease?, or why is there so much injustice in the world?....where are you?" 

But God can’t be both love & evil, He is not the author of confusion. We live in an evil world! FYI, Just like God has children, so does the enemy & each family group are on two different assignments! Remember who your opponent is, regardless of what it looks like in the natural. God is for you, & not against you!  

"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life"

(John 10:10)

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

(Ephesians 6:12) 

"You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God" 

(Ephesians 2:2)

The Beauty  in Trials:

God never mentioned that life would be an easy road...but He did promise a grand destination at the end of it (at the end of HIS path for your life that is). I've heard this saying, "When trials come we often cry out to God asking, "Lord Why Me", but God is thinking "Why not you." Of course God doesn’t like to see us saddened or hurt,  However, His purpose behind our suffering is always greater and will always reap greater benefits for us spiritually.  

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

(1 Peter 4:12-13) 

Jesus suffered greatly on the cross, but was later raised to Glory! Therefore, if you belong to Him, you WILL experience trials, but you will ALWAYS triumph in the end! Remember, the trial is only temporary although it may seem like a lifetime. 

So next time a trial comes don't say "Lord take me out of this" instead pray "Lord, lead me through this" God's preparing you and building your endurance and your faith THROUGH the trial not just for you, but for those He's placed in your path so that you can push them through similar circumstances.  

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope."

(Romans 5:1-4)

My Endurance Test:

I've had my share of trials during my journey in the faith, but nothing stands out more than the times I've been unemployed. When your without a job for an extended period of time worry and fear can begin to weigh on you. During that season I was truly broken, I felt all hope had been lost all because I was unemployed. I thought, "No Job, No Income, No Hope, looks like the end of the road for me." 

I would pray to God in anger at times, confused as to why He wasn't providing the one thing I needed for stability, especially knowing my intentions with my finances were good. I was completely at a lost and would go in and out of depression. That fear, anxiety, and worry for my needs lead to laziness, I thought, "what's the point of doing anything", (these thoughts delayed the launching of this blogsite!)      

When the dust settled, and my anger subsided, I began to see what God's intentions for my suffering were. All my life I've lived in fear of lack. I was raised by a single mom who sacrificed to make ends meet and although I never went without my wants & needs, I vowed that I'd pursue a life of financial stability. This caused me to depend on ME to meet my needs! 

God was trying to renew my mind, to teach me that HE is my provider and that regardless of what circumstances look like, HE will provide. After months of being unemployed I was blessed with a few temporary job assignments over the course of a year or so. During each temp assignment it seemed like God had scheduled my arrival because I was able to connect with so many people and share the love of Christ in the work place! I was also able to fine-tune some of my professional skill-sets and even learn new ones along the way.  

Eventually, God gave me a permanent job and when I say gave I mean exactly that! My current Job literally fell from heaven. I didn’t apply nor did I even have to interview for it, it was simply given to me (of course they offered lol). That’s when I finally came to understand what He meant by He'll provide...When God provides, He doesn’t need your help or even your "ability" all He needs is your trust.  

"...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

(Matthew 6:8) 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

(Matthew 6:25-26) 

Endurance requires a "Nevertheless" kind of Faith  

 I've learned that as long As I keep walking with Him, He'll always lead me to greener pastures. Remember, God's ways are better even in your hurt, your confusion, and what may seem like your lack. #Stick with Jesus! 

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

(John 15:4) 

While we have our eyes on the circumstance, God views us through the lens of Triumph because He's already equipped us to overcome our trials, as long as we stick with Him! Even Jesus experienced what it was like to dread trials, but He chose to abide within God the Father, knowing His plans were greater! (Thank ya Lawd!) 

“...Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

(Luke 22:42) 

I love that phrase of scripture, "Nevertheless". It speaks volumes to the level of relationship and trust between Jesus and God the Father. This should serve as a direct representation of our personal relationship with God!  

"Real endurance is learning to go through a trial without complaining, keeping your full hope anchored in God"

(Paraphrased, but shout outs to my Aunt Shay for these prophetic words!!)

Stay the course:

I know the road may seem rocky, but you'll be strengthened as you trust in God and stay the course. See, the enemy wants you to be so consumed with the trial that you take your eyes of Jesus, knowing you're not capable of enduring without him. The enemy's goal is to stop you from finishing the race so that you don't get to live the life of abundance God's mapped out for you. Don’t let the enemy take you off course! The pot holes on your road will be repaired in due season.  

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

(Galatians 6:9) 

Your ticket into heaven is based on your faith in God alone but building faith takes time and often takes trials because that’s where real endurance is birthed! When you develop "Nevertheless" faith, nothing will stop you from fulfilling the calling God's placed on your life and you will overcome ever obstacle in your way! 

"...many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

 (Matthew 24:11-13) 

"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith"

(John 5:4)  

Grace & Peace Be With You, 

Kaneisha