Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
With wars, rumors of a World War 3, the increased number of floods, hurricanes, fires consuming vast land areas, and the crime rates increasingly seen in our local news, it may seem impossible to grasp where God is in all of this. The answer is simple when we look to the scriptures. Jesus spoke of such things, a portion of which is in Matthew 24:6: “and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars”. He goes on to speak about increased lawlessness, earthquakes, famines, and that many will fall away. I invite you to also read 2 Timothy 3, where the apostle Paul writes of godliness in the last days.
It is without question that the most prominent person in the Bible to remain unwavering in His purpose was Jesus. The steadfastness of Jesus is apparent throughout His life, ministry, and even His death. So how do we remain steadfast with an unwavering desire to abide in Jesus? Let me provide you with 4 brief examples:
- Stay grounded. Connect to God by continuing to hear His Word through worship regularly, and Bible study. To stay steadfast in your faith, be still and hear His voice when He says, “Be still and know that I am God”.
- Find encouragement. We need to lock arms with others who have the same goal. Yes, life is wrought with many challenges, and remaining steadfast can be difficult. Take a moment to remember a time that you were struggling and then, at just the right moment, a friend came along to encourage you. If we are to be persistent in our faith, we can’t do it alone, so we trust in Jesus when He speaks; “I am with you always”.
- Stay in the light. That light is Jesus. King David regularly poured out his complaints to God, and while he was anything but perfect in his life, his Psalms reveal a heart that was honest about where he was and how he wrestled with trusting God’s ways. This is why he remained steadfast in his faith until the very end. Stay in the light of Jesus and see how your faith thrives.
- Habits. Remember, not all habits are bad. Brushing your teeth and eating a healthy breakfast are good habits. Consuming excess sugar on the weekends and spending hours on social media are not good habits. As you assess how to have a more steadfast faith, bring all your habits to the Light (Jesus)
Staying grounded, finding encouragement, staying in the Light, and dealing with those habits, be they good and bad, will help your faith flourish like a willow tree planted in rich soil, well-watered and soaking in the sun. Finally, remain steadfast with an intense, unwavering desire to abide in Jesus
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