Without even listening to the news, there are so many events occurring in and around me that I was struck by the choice I need to make – to be discouraged because of the rampant sin and evil in our world and the way it plays out in each day, or to be encouraged by the amazing, mighty Lord and Savior I serve?
It really is a decision we need to purpose to make every day, and often more than once during the day.
We do have the ability to make the choice.
How do we do this? How do we go from living in this world with so many sinful, evil, discouraging events to living in this world with hope and encouragement?
Immediately these words from the living Word of God came into my mind:
Hebrews 12:1-3 states:
“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.”
Please notice what these verses are telling us.
There are others, “a great cloud of witnesses”, whose names are listed in Hebrews 11, who endured in a discouraging world, but were encouraged because of their hope in God.
We have the choice and the ability, when we belong to Jesus and have His indwelling Holy Spirit, to “throw off everything that hinders”. If we did not have the ability to disentangle from the sin and evil of this world, God wouldn’t have inspired the writer of Hebrews to pen these instructions.
The choice also includes the need to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. It is not a race we plan, but one that God planned for us. Since we know God only wants to do what is beneficial in our lives, we can trust Him with His race for each of us.
The next instruction tells us that we need to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus”. Far too often I find it is easier to be fixated with the challenges of this world, with the unfairness we experience each day, and the problems we experience because of our sin and the sins of others.
Why should we fix our eyes on Jesus? We should do this because He is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith”.
Jesus chose the path of joy, as is stated in this phrase from the above passage: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross”.
Jesus chose to be encouraged because He knew what was coming after the suffering.
He was encouraged because He knew that when the suffering was over, He would be with His Father, as this phrase from the above passage reminds us: “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
In the same way, we need to allow the future eternal home Jesus is preparing for us to encourage us in the midst of our anxiousness. Revelation 21-22 clearly provides words to encourage us.
The last words in the above Hebrews passage state: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” We can be encouraged because Jesus, who endured far worse opposition and discouragement than we ever will, gives us hope. In Jesus, there is no reason to be discouraged.
Sad about the ungodliness of our world, but not discouraged.
But God has not left us alone to manage our lives. We have His indwelling Holy Spirit, and Jesus, who make it possible for repentant sinners to have a true, living, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.
HE IS THE VICTOR! When we have a relationship with Jesus, we share in that victory. We may not have its full experience yet, but God has promised that we will. We will have it in His timing, and in His way.
In addition to these verses encouraging me, the words from the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”helped me transition from discouragement to encouragement.
“O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain: [How we move from discouragement to encouragement and joy.]
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there; [Focus on this truth!]
O’er us sin no more hath dominion— [The amazing mercy and grace of God.]
For more than conqu’rors we are! [We can choose to live as a “conqueror.]
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!” [Share this news, and be encouraged.]
I’m so grateful that God has helped me write His Word on my heart, because when I needed truth [His Word is truth.], God’s Spirit raised it to my conscious thoughts!
Will you please join me in consciously making the choice to walk with encouragement in our discouraging world, because we have a living, risen Savior? If Jesus isn’t your Lord and Savior yet, please choose Him now.
I’d be glad to help you with this journey. Please contact me so we can discuss your eternal destination. You can reach me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.