Reclaimed Perseverance: Never Give Up!نموونە

Jesus said to them “Let us cross over to the other side” (Luke 8:22). 

Life has a way of presenting us with many storms and trials that we all have to face. We all have hurdles we must cross over to get to the other side, where God’s promises abide. The disciples received an invitation from Jesus himself to cross over to the other side. Jesus knowing all they had to face in their crossing over, assured them that they will get to their destination, which was on the other side of a horrendous storm. 

In the face of trouble, it is hard to hold on to promises of God, especially if all you can see and hear are the storms that are raging against you. To the disciples, the other side now looked a long way off and for some, it looked like an impossible task because their reality was based on what they could see and not in faith of what Jesus had said. Even though they had a promise from the One who created the heavens and the earth that they were going to get to the other side, they eventually had fallen victim to unbelief after a few bad storms. As they started to lose sight of that promise, they could no longer see themselves making it out of the situation they were in. 

I am sure you and I can relate with them at some point of our lives or another. We often allow situations that we face to cause us to forget the promises that God has made. After encountering five miscarriages, I found myself pregnant again and hearing unfavorable news from the doctor. As fear and worry tried to set in, it caused me to momentarily forget the promise that God had already made to me. I was tormented and unable to see my way through the current life storm that was being presented. I had to remember what God said to me at the beginning of the pregnancy. He assured me that “me and my seed shall live.” Through focusing on His promises, it calmed every storm that was raging in my soul. Therefore, I can imagine the whirlwind of emotions that the disciples were in as they sat on that boat, being tossed around by the troubled waters, and the strong winds. It is in those moments that God seems to be the most silent. Yet, it is those same moments that teach us to quiet ourselves and bring to remembrance the promises that God has made and allow His peace to stand still in our souls. 

Reflection 

Hold onto the promise of arriving to the other side of your storm, knowing that Jesus is with you every step of the way. Although you are not where you want to be, you must realize that you are no longer where you used to be. Acknowledging progress on any level serves as motivation to continue the path that you are on. Keeping the finish-line in view helps you to remain focused on the completion. You can be confident that the One who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). 

Prayer 

Father God, help me to hold on to Your promise even amid the raging storms. Forgive me for every time I have lost sight of You. Help me focus on the promises that You have given me. Help me to remember that You are always with me during anything that I face. Remind me that with You,  I can get through it with my peace intact.