I put on a T-shirt today that said, “Are you ready for the challenge?”
The Lord used those words to make me do some serious soul searching. The fact is, life is full of challenges but are we ready to face them?
As believers, are we ready? Do we have what it takes? We must always be ready, and we have complete access to what it takes. The truth is, if we ask ourselves that question, we have a very limited concept as believers of who we are in Christ, and who He is in us.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, and look at our present temporal circumstances, we find ourselves doubting and in unbelief. We become fearful and faithless.
What are some ways to gear up and step up and be ready for the challenges of life?
REMEMBER AND FORGET NOT
I am old enough to have seen the Lord bring me through, deliver my children, and show Himself more then able. In the Old Testament, the admonition “remember and forget not” is given many times to the Israelites. They were told to build up stones as a monument of remembrance for them and future generations of the victories God had given them. Think of past victories in your life when you are facing a challenge. David went into battle with Goliath remembering previous challenges with a bear and a lion. Remember and forget not!
THE WORD AND THE PROMISES
The Word of God and His promises are the source of our strength, assurance and belief. Keep your mind and heart set on these. Nothing chases doubt and fear away like an understanding of our “under standing”.
YOUR TRAINING IS YOUR GAINING
The thing about our walk with Christ is that all our past challenges are to prepare us for greater challenges. We may not get much comfort from this at times, (who is looking forward to tougher challenges?) but I believe that God’s intention is to show us off to a very lost world that is in desperate need of Him. And, sadly, to a church that is in desperate need. For that, He needs to grow us up into maturity. Maturity does not come easy, it is a process of facing continual challenges.
It occurs to me, in answer to my question “who is looking for tougher challenges?”- a person seeking to achieve excellence would be. Athletes, for example, are always challenging themselves to achieve more. Think of your challenges as our own personal trainers, intent on taking you to a higher level. The question is, how far do we want to go? Are we willing to go there?
We are so blessed as believers to have everything we need to grow in Him, to overcome, to be more than conquerors and to prosper. So, in answer to the question “Are you ready for the challenge?”- You better BELIEVE it!
~ Susan Kewin
Christ Fellowship member