How Do We Endure?

Recently while in prayer…which to me, is just talking to my Abba Father, who happens to be the Creator of all things. Side notes here. Try to understand or grasp how He created everything from nothing. If I create or bake a cake, it is because of ingredients that already exist. If I create a meal, once again it is with ingredients that already exist. One particular meal I created, my son was 11 or so, which where we lived at that time required a once-a-month trip to a large city to get the bulk of groceries for the month. It was time to go, so I had to make do with what I had on hand. In the area we lived in there was a man that had trained in Paris and offered cooking lessons. I had mentioned before how I would like to take these lessons. Back to the meal, a throw together type meal, not my best by a long shot. My son, who in innocence says, Mom, I think you need to take those cooking lessons 😂 Even with ingredients what I create can be a flop and yet God Almighty, Creator, my Abba Father spoke…….spoke, no ingredients, nothing…. He spoke and it was. Everything we see comes from that moment of His words. Wow!

Back to the reason for this post. While talking with the Lord, there are some things that I am dealing with, walking through that are not easy. I know we all go through seasons, sometimes they seem forever, but we go through seasons that are just hard. In this time of prayer, crying, talking to my Father I said something to that effect, Father this is hard, really hard…. how do I go through this today? I was reminded, look at My example who came robed in flesh and yet knew no sin. Jesus had a really hard day, far harder than I will ever endure. He lived amongst friends and family who in His greatest time of need, left him, deserted him, even denied knowing him. He allowed those there: to slap him, call him names…. yes, words hurt too, beat him, pull his beard out, place nails into his hands and feet. That had to be the most horrible day possible, how did Jesus endure this day? How can we endure today, a day that may be hard or the worst day of our lives?

Hebrews 12:2 says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The hard that Jesus endured brought about the most glorious day for all mankind. Three days after his body was buried in the tomb, it was no longer there. He defeated death, not only for that time, but all of eternity. With that thought in mind of hard = glorious, how does that apply to me and you?

I think of the hardest time in my life, when my husband completed his race, with that completion I went from married to widow. Death is inevitable, for some it won’t be because when Jesus returns we are told in:

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 ” For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The hardest time in my life how does that equal glorious? How does that equate too good? First, Dan is healed from cancer and sin. He does not have to suffer anymore, and for him that is glorious. Second, I know I will see him again, because of what Jesus endured, hard to glorious. Third, for me….as hard as that day was, as hard as the season has been, God has shown His faithfulness of being right by my side. Taking my complete and utter brokenness and fulfilling His promise of Psalm 147:3. ” He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wound.” In fulfilling His promise to never leave me nor forsake me, to be my rock, my hiding place, my fortress and heal my heart and wounds, He has brought beauty out of ashes. He has taken my hard to equal His Glory.

For the hard I endure today, I can look at Jesus’ example, I look to God’s word for what lies ahead, and I have the Holy Spirit who is my constant companion. Part of ashes to beauty has become answering the call to come to Ukraine. I did not come by own strength, nor can I go through this day in my own strength. What has God called you to today? Being a wife/ husband? Mom/dad? Co-worker? Daughter/son in your family? A friend, a light to those around? We can endure because:

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Look Up, Keep Serving Jesus, He is Worthy!