Faith to Endure when Life Hurts

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

─ Hebrews 12:2-4 ESV

Faith to Endure when Life Hurts

Yvonne closed her eyes, savoring the words her cousin Davis spoke more than a year ago – the day she stood outside with tears flowing freely – the day her father died. “Yes, you can!” he had said with great authority and boldness, in response to her proclamation that she couldn’t celebrate her father’s favorite holiday ever again.

She remembered his words were gentle, but firm. And Davis faithfully and diligently kept watch over her, helping her to make that holiday a tribute to her father’s memory.

If you’ve looked at life’s circumstances and thought you simply couldn’t do whatever the situation required, take courage and look to Jesus. In our verse today, Jesus looked past the cross, the pain, the brutality, the ridicule and scourging, as well as the fact that every sin ever committed would rest on Him. He said, “Yes, I can!” because He looked past the moments on the cross to the never-ending life He would spend with you as His.

Whatever you’re facing,YES YOU CAN! Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, has set the example for you to embrace. Just like Jesus did, you can find joy as you travel through those seasons when life hurts by keeping your mind on eternity instead of the temporary experience of pain.

Today’s One Thing

Pray this prayer today: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, who endured the cross for me. Help me to find joy in this moment and give me strength to look past my circumstances to the rewards of the race. Yes! I can, because you are my help! I embrace your joy in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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