Blessed Are Those Who Persevere Under Trial

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

Remain steadfast and remain vigilant, for those that are able to withstand the trials and tests of this world will one day persevere. God is amongst those that seek Him in times of adversity and remind themselves of the true mission, what we were all created for, which is to glorify the most high and live life praising and winning more souls for Heaven.

Times are tough. They’ve been the toughest for most of us. Only the ones that understand that God created us as warriors here on earth to fight against evil and malice are the ones that will withstand. When we learn not to take what someone around us is doing to us personally and when we take defeat here on earth as a win in heaven, we will withstand. God calls us to stay the course and to remain in Him when all else is against him. He has called you a warrior of His word and your integrity and honesty will shine through when the crowd realizes that there is only one way to get to the truth. The truth found in Christ Jesus.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

As followers of Christ, we must remind ourselves that we are fighting against forces of evil guided and driven by the devil himself. When you feel attacked, don’t fall into anger with your brothers, sisters, husband, friend, and so on. We have to learn to recognize the power of the enemy, just as much as we recognize the power of God. The enemy cannot come close to the power of God in our lives, but if we give him entry by losing focus and allowing our hearts to get filled with anger, the devil will succeed.

When we see water, we say it is water. When we see the sky, we can freely call it the sky. When we see discord, anger, tragedy around us, this is not a green light to allow our hearts to feel more of it. This is the time to place a big red STOP sign on those negative feelings so that we can fully recognize the enemy at work. How can we know when the devil is working? Simple. Nothing that is evil comes from God. If it is evil, it is the enemy, and if you allow him, he can use the closest person to you to add to the things going wrong.

Occasionally I find myself in a slumber. Where I question decisions I’ve made (even the ones I know that God has placed in my heart.) I find myself in a place of question, insecurities, lack of certainty, esteem, and so forth. I find myself in a place where I don’t know where to turn. My situations become bigger than I can imagine, my life seems to be in shambles, and I have to make the actual change from within me by loudly telling the enemy to back off!! To get away! We have to learn to recognize his tactics to make us feel like we are not good enough and that we will never amount to the things God has declared over our lives.

Always remember that God is not a liar, and His purpose has already been ordained and declared.

You are not meant to be alone in your situation. When you feel weak and when you feel strong, God is always holding out his hand to give you much more than you think you need.

Neivis Paulino