Be Determined

"For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God, I can leap over a wall." Psalm 18:29, ESV

Often when we read this scripture we focus on the “leap”, not realizing there’s a battle taking place. We’re facing an army, and there’s an obstruction, a wall we have to get over. You will face many walls.

One common trait that keeps coming up in stories and accounts of women and men who overcame trials and tragedy in their lives, is that somehow, they found courage in themselves to say, I can overcome, I will survive or I won’t take this lying down. They refused to quit, give up or walk away. We’ve heard many heroic stories resulting from painful and sometimes tragic experiences. Naturally, most of us lose sight of the fact that life isn’t meant to be an easy walk in the park. God never promised a life of ease on a bed of roses.

1. Over the course of your life, things will go wrong, despite your best planning
2. Personal Challenges, including failure & success, are a part of life
3. Loss is a part of your faith journey

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 (NIV)

Work makes a person sweat. We will never be able to avoid all of the negative and horrible things life dishes out, however, as people of faith we should stand and fight, not cowering to the challenges we face. Horrible things happen in life, but life is not horrible.

The Apostle Paul said, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

Be determined. Stand and fight.