I CAN Stand Firm

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

We are always going to face difficulties, and when we do, it’s painful. I find that when I am trying my hardest to run this race that God has set before me, that is when the enemy runs alongside me and he tries to trip me up. I struggle to stand firm.

When we go through times when we struggle, our faith is always the first thing that takes a stumble. Do you have something you feel is holding you back from keeping you in the race? Or is there a situation you are going through right now and you just need some encouragement?

It’s ok if we stumble through these moments. As long as we keep turning back to God with how we are feeling with what we are going through. When we open ourselves up fully to Him, that’s when He can do a deep work in us to place us back into the race He wanted us to run. 

This year has been the year for me in moving forward with what I have been called to do. I have been working through growing in my gifts and trying to develop a character that would help me carry out my calling. 

The one area I struggle with is how I perceive myself and what I feel God and others think about me. That’s why I decided this month to set myself this challenge. To develop Bible based affirmations about how God sees me and what His heart is for me. Hopefully, by declaring Bible based truths over myself it will begin to shift a mindset I have in how I perceive myself. 

So, what’s holding me back?

Well, the enemy hates when we move forward in our faith with something and I feel that he has been using anything he can to try and get me to give up. I am now on day 18 and I did feel a little demoralised because I know I’m so behind. I’m tired and part of me just feels this is going to be another thing I will fail at again. 

It’s similar to getting a stitch when we are running. We get over the halfway mark and then bang, the pain hits. It’s so easy at this point to want to give up. The only way to beat the pain is to stand firm and run through it. It hurts to start off with, but then our body gets stronger as we persevere.

This is what I am going to try and do with my writing. I’m going to persevere through the pain barrier and stand firm in what I want to achieve. The only thing I need to do is to keep focussed on the finishing line and not worry about how long it takes to get there. I CAN stand firm.

Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Hebrews 12:1-3 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name. 

Lynne, you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, throw off everything that hinders you and the sin that so easily entangles. Lynne, keep running with perseverance the race marked out for you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of your faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.