Take Heart

Sitting here this morning and praying, reading, contemplating the world of addictions, hurts, deep wounds that try to resurface, confusion and chaos whatever it may be in anyone's personal life. We know that by Gods sovereign will that nothing comes up against us that are in Him without His say so. But why must we struggle and seemingly suffer some deep, dark, dingy stuff?

I don't have answers or quick fixes here. I wish I could say this magic word or the magic pill to make it all dissolve and wash away followed by a heaping spoonful of never ending bountiful joy. In these times we have His Word. His Word brings life. His Word brings hope. His Word brings encouragement. His Word brings joy. His word also points that we will have trouble. We will have suffering. Even in the midst of suffering we can have joy. The great man of God, Paul struggled with the "thorn in his side" till death. Oh yeah and death...not that he fell asleep safely in the middle of the night with a bath prior and a great last meal. No he suffered all the way to death. And He suffered with all security in Christ. 

"As for you, O man [or woman] of God, flee these things [all kinds of evil], Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11, 12 

"In the world you will have tribulation [trouble, suffering]. But take heart I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Take heart" Tharseo, Greek for take courage, be courageous, cheer up, He has overcome the world. He has overcome. He has overcome depression, He has overcome addiction, He has overcome sadness, mourning, financial struggle, crushed hopes, dreams or aspirations. He has overcome. He reigns, He triumphs. He tells us to fight, to take hold to that which we are called, to be courageous. 

Let us take hold, courageously, that to which we were called. The good fight of faith.