Life is moving at an increasingly accelerated rate. Some things are changing fast, but it is important that we also remember that some things will never change. As we examine what is happening all around us, we can see the devil is very busy, and we must also know that this activity heats up when we’re getting close to a breakthrough blessing that he doesn’t want us to have. This is an enemy tactic that never changes, and we must not be fooled. You might ask yourself why it’s so important for you to recognize this. God does not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual matters. We cannot focus on the distraction of the enemy’s plots, tricks, and devices, and be focused on the prize at the same time. Hebrews 12:1 tells us that God has set before each of us a race to run, and He wants us to stay strong and remain focused so that we receive the reward that is waiting for us.
Focus
To focus on something means that you’ve made it the center of your interest. You’re placing your attention on it, and because of this, you might find that your thoughts are also consumed with it. In today’s environment, there are many things that fit this bill. It could be something socially important or something that is getting a lot of media attention. And it could also be a personal matter that is very close to home. Whatever the situation, it’s very tempting to get ourselves emotionally charged and become totally invested in what we see, but wisdom will always warn us to pump the breaks.
Even when it is a situation that involves someone close to us, we cannot be so distracted that we don’t see what the enemy is doing. The things that touch a nerve and disturb us the most are the things he uses to distract our focus. This doesn’t mean that we don’t pay those things any attention at all. Philippians 4:6(NLT) tells us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Our immediate response to any obstacle or adversity should always be to respond in prayer, but worrying, doubt, or fear cannot be part of any equation that concerns our faith in God.
Seek God
When the battle heats up, many believers become unglued, and some will even leave the faith altogether. We serve a great big wonderful God, and He loves us very much. He never leaves or forsakes us. We don’t always understand why the challenges come or why they so severely attack and distract us, but our confidence must remain in the reality that God is faithful, and a blessing is on its way.
Not only must we seek God and lean on His strength, but perhaps more than any other time, we need to seek His guidance and instruction during tribulations and challenges. Through His Spirit, God shows us how to navigate rough terrain, and this builds intimacy in our relationship with Him. When we are attentive to His leadership, He will point us in the direction of what things we must turn off, and what things we must engage so that we remain spiritually strong.
Lean on His strength
Life is filled with ups and downs, and the present environment can make us feel very shaky, but ultimately our response to trials and tribulations must demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ. 1Peter 1:7(NLT) says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” Fire burns, there can be no question about this, but fire also purifies. It consumes that which is no longer useful, but it leaves that which is resilient and cannot be harmed by heat. Our faith makes us resilient. If we are true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, when the fire heats up, it will make us more pliable and flexible to the Will of God.
2Corinthians 3:5(NLT) tells us, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” This verse reminds us of the pattern God set from the very beginning. He created everything that Adam and Eve would ever need, and then He created them. Then He rested, and the first couple had the distinct pleasure of entering with Him into His rest. They didn’t have to struggle. There was no strife. God did all the work and plopped them in the middle of Paradise so they could enjoy all that He created for them. God is our sufficiency, and this will never change. We are not capable of doing the heavy lifting and God never intended us to. It was always His intention that we lean totally on Him for our strength, and total provision and care.
Adam and Eve made a mess of things, but Jesus Christ gave his life to restore us. Because of Jesus, we are new creations, we have God’s Spirit dwelling within, and God has given us victory through Christ in every area of life. To continue walking in this victory and ensure that we receive all that God has in store, sometimes there are areas in our faith walk that must be strengthened—that must be purified. We don’t always recognize those areas, but through His Spirit, God will reveal the holes that need to be filled with His love and power.
This is a time to draw closer to God. Celebrating will come later if we remain faithful, but now is the season to draw closer to Him, to spend more time in prayer and in His Word, to meditate in the Spirit, and humble ourselves relentlessly before God. He tells us that regardless of what we face, there is always reason for us to have exuberant joy because of the inheritance we have in Jesus Christ. Overwhelming victory is ours through our Great Redeemer! To stay strong and spiritually fortified, we must remain focused on God, seek Him with our whole hearts, and lean on His strength as we transition to the next level of spiritual growth and blessings.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Staying Strong ” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.