5 Steps Overcomers Take in Overwhelming TimesSample

Step #1 for Overcomers: Look Within

I’m sure Jesus was used to people asking Him about the end times, but rather than answering with the when, what, where, why, and how directly, He gave answers designed to help prepare His followers for the days to come. He focused on helping them understand who they were in the sight of their heavenly Father and how to live in this world because of it. In effect, He told them the same thing He is still telling us today: What you know or don’t know about the end times isn’t nearly as important as who you are when I return.

We live in perilous times, but also times of tremendous opportunity. We can be strong and courageous overcomers, even in the face of overwhelming troubles, because we serve the God of hope. The first step we can take toward living as overcomers is this: look within.

What’s going on in the outside world can be disturbing and distracting. In fact, the enemy of our souls likes to use what I call weapons of mass distraction to get our eyes off where they should be. The kingdom of darkness sees Christians as HVTs—a military term that means high-value targets. Did you know that as a believer living in the end times, you are a threat? Satan knows God has given you the keys to the Kingdom. If you know how to pray, fast, walk in the Spirit, love and forgive, you’re an HVT, and hell is sending its best forces against you. This is actually good news because it’s evidence that you are an asset to God’s Kingdom!

That’s why it’s so important to take Step #1 and look within. When we take heed to what’s going on inside us, we guard ourselves against deception and stay focused on our relationship with Christ and His ultimate end for us—spending eternity with Him, and bringing as many other souls as possible with us.

How do we make looking within a priority? Compare the amount of time you listened to podcasts or scrolled through social media last week to the time you spent in God’s Word. Which wins? Don’t get so busy with entertainment, politics, and all the things of this world that you lose track of what’s eternally important. Be on your toes. Make godly choices. Your goal is to endure to the end and live as an overcomer!