Press Forward
Every year, in March and October, I go through a time of around 1-3 weeks, in which I have very little strength, no motivation and sometimes even symptoms of depression. I don`t know exactly why this is or where it comes from but I assume it`s a part of a biological cycle of my chronic illness.
These weeks are very difficult to handle. There is literally nothing I can do about them. At times, even good sleep and a good diet don`t help at all! It`s a time when frustration, worry, weakness, demotivation and disappointment are all really high!
However, regardless of what my body is going through, how I feel or what kind of battle I`m in – there is always that little sense of hope that keeps me pressing forward!
In Philippians 3:14 Paul talks about that hope: “I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (AMP – emphasis mine)
Our final prize for the life we live is not what we accomplish, not our family and friends nor anything else we can see or feel! Our prize (for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior) is heaven. Heaven is a place that we can`t see fully yet but we can experience and embrace some of it here on earth. It`s also a place where one day everything will be perfect: without sickness, pain, disappointment, worry, weakness, demotivation, battles or wars!
I don`t know what kind season you are in right now. Maybe you have been dealing with a sickness for years. Maybe you feel like most of the things around you are falling apart. Maybe you have been disappointed in a certain way. Maybe you continuously wage an internal war about something or someone who has hurt you. Or maybe something bad happened to you that`s pulling you down – emotionally, spiritually or physically.
Whatever it might be for you. I want to encourage you to take a stand and hold on to the prize you will win one day! Heaven is full of glory and rewards, which we will one day receive in full!
Romans 8:18 says: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (ESV – emphasis mine)
While we are trying to navigate this thing called life, let us constantly remind ourselves that there is a prize which we will receive one day in full!
We might not like the obstacles that life throws at us but God can use them for our good. They serve for us to be pruned, molded and trained into the likeness of God and into the purpose He has for us!
Whether we are going through a good or hard season, whether we know or not what is happening within or around us, or whether our emotions are at an all-time high or low – God sees what we are going through, how we press forward, with what it is we struggle with and how much strength we need to fight the battle!
Stay strong, be courageous, stand firm, and hold on to the One who is control. Press forward to the prize that is to come! It`s a only matter of time until you will come out stronger, better, wiser and more mature.
My prayer for you is that you can set your mind on heavenly things and not on things here on earth, and that you will be able to focus on what is eternal rather than on things that will fade away sooner or later.
Be blessed
Nathanael
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#pressforward
#itsallabouthim