DAY 11 Encouragement

You know that old saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"  So, how tough are we?  I find it interesting that the Lord did not pull any punches when He told us what life would be like for us:

In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]    John 16:33

Yet, we often act totally surprised when tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration come our way.  Haha!  If we don't act surprised, we think there is no reason why we should be having any troubles or tough situations because we are serving the Lord.  Come on, now!  You all know what I mean...

I've truly come to realize, however, that I am so much tougher when I have proper prospective.  Truly, take a look at this scripture again:

...but be of good cheer, take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.

What more do we need to be certain that He is working ALL things out for our good?  He's done the hard part; now, it's our turn to be tough!  In order to be tough, we must remain focused on the Prize.  We must turn our eyes upon Jesus, and keep them there.  We can't pull away from Him because if we do, our focus becomes dim and fuzzy.  We can't turn to the right or to the left because if we do, then we begin to move in those directions.  What direction are you heading?  UPWARD - physically, mentally, financially, spiritually!  Therefore, we must set our eyes UPWARD!

If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.    Colossians 3:1-2

Many of us understand and believe according to the scriptures that Christ raised us up with Himself, and we are jointly seated with Him in the heavenly sphere.  Yet, are our minds there?  Listen, we can believe all day long that we are seated in heavenly places with the Lord, but if we don't set our minds in heavenly places and keep them set there, we are going to have a very difficult time being overcomers.  It's perspective.  We must maintain proper perspective, and that perspective is heavenly.

I know things may be real tough for you right now.  I know a lot of things may be changing for you right now.  I know that you may be in a very uncomfortable spot right now.  I, however, also know that Jesus overcame the world and conquered it for you!  So, set your mind and keep it set on what is above, and even though the going is tough, YOU GET GOING because YOU ARE TOUGH!

Scriptures for reference and study: Romans 8:28; Philippians 3:13-14; Ephesians 2:6