Mountain Tops and Valleys
I was looking at a magazine this week. A well known author and filmmaker was talking about his success. He said the big secret to success is that you have to persevere. I immediately thought that the Christian life is just like that. We have ups and downs, mountain tops and valleys, good times and hard times, sickness and health, times of plenty and times of need - and through it all we have to persevere! We can't give up! We have to keep going and lean into God to get us through whatever time or season we're in.
I think I've experienced all the "times" I listed above in recent years. I could not have made it without God's grace and strength. But over and over I had to commit my heart to persevere. I think that was key to making it.
It's important to differentiate between striving and persevering. Striving is done in our own strength - persevering is trusting the Lord to come along beside us and help us make it through. His grace truly is sufficient when we need it in the tough times.
When it's hard, and I feel like I'm not quite measuring up - perhaps even feeling like I'm a failure - it's important to bring those feelings to the Lord. He is there to show me the way - to correct me if needed - to encourage me - and to affirm me of His love and care for me in the hard situation. I couldn't have made it without His loving help.
"Deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love." Psalm 6:4
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
"What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8
Someone said to me recently that they were surprised at all the difficult things they were facing. Things had been good for so long that they never anticipated the hardships that suddenly seemed to engulf them. Perhaps we can all relate to that in some way. The "hard things" often surprise us. But God is with us. As we choose to persevere, He'll help us in every way that we need. He's so faithful!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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