How Do We Endure?

[bluidkiti]

God's Word For Today

How Do We Endure?

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1 through 4:18

How can we endure the pain of life? The difficulties, heartbreaks, and broken dreams?

Susan sat alone, pondering her past year. She had experienced many losses, and she now faced financial difficulties she did not know how to fix. She reached for her Bible, opened it to where her bookmark was, and read the following verse:

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

This verse was not a quick answer for Susan. However, in it was the secret to enduring all her problems and pain—to look to the future, not dwell on the present.

We need to learn to take our eyes off our present pain and look at the future glory. When we are able to do that, we will be able to echo Paul’s words: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (verses 8–9).

Challenge for Today: Take your eyes off your present problems and focus on God’s promises.

Quicklook: 2 Corinthians 4:7–12,16–18

[MajestyJo]

Always looked at things as something that is in the moment and subject to change. Sometimes, I can do something about it, other times I just have to acknowledge it and let it go. I surrender it to my God, but I have to do my part, like meditation, prayer, exercise, eat healthy, and make healthy choices in today. When I don't do this, the pain rules my life. I apply the 12 Steps to my pain, it isn't good for me to take my pain out on others.

It is about accepting it for what it is, and the Serenity Prayer works, and what I have to practice is the the wisdom to know the difference. It is one thing to ask for help, but more importantly, being open to receive it. Accepting God's will instead of trying to go my own way. My way doesn't work. My way means that I try to find something outside of myself to make me feel better. It is called using instead of utilizing my God, surrendering and being empowered to do what I need to do for myself in today.