“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Life is not a bed of roses. Most likely, we feel the thorns more than we see the beauty of the buds and blooms. Life is tough. And as the popular saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” Therefore, we must be steadfast in the faith we hold on to.
But what does it mean to be steadfast?
The Oxford dictionary defines steadfast as “firm and not changing or yielding.” A steadfast person is someone who is not easily moved despite the storms of life that pass his or her way — be they in the form of physical ailments, financial difficulties, social rejections, or emotional losses.
The apostle Paul is a good example of a Christian who walked with determined steadfastness despite the odds facing him during his time. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, he boasted in his sufferings: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food. I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.“
We can learn a thing or two from Paul’s tenacious attitude. By clinging firmly to the promises of God, he endured the trials that came along with his ministry work to present the Gospel to the Gentile world. He wrote to the believers in Corinth about the victory in Jesus Christ: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Perhaps you find yourself in a difficult situation right now. Maybe you have just lost a job. Or maybe you are experiencing marital troubles. Or you may be seriously ill, and often suffer from severe depression. Or you may have lost someone dear, and find it hard to move on. The list is endless.
But bear this in mind, God’s Word is constant; His promises are unchanging. Jesus said in John 16:33b: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!“
Today, as we go through life’s many trials, let’s focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Photo by Jayred)
Posted by Bar Bar A on October 24, 2005 at 3:42 am
Incredible post and photo! Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by zurina on October 24, 2005 at 3:22 pm
Yes, life is difficult and we need God to keep our equilibrium.
Very relevant and encouraging post.
Posted by bing on October 25, 2005 at 3:20 pm
hi, jay-ann!
one of my struggles… i admire people who remain faithful even in the worst of times. normally, we hear complains WHY God let things happen not the way they expect and loose focus that there is a God to trust.
Posted by Jayred on October 25, 2005 at 8:31 pm
WELL WOMAN: Thanks! God was my inspiration in writing this. Thanks for the visit.
ZURINA: Amen to what you said — God helps us strike the right balance. Thanks for your encouraging words and for the visit.
BING: Hi! Yeah, I also admire people who remain steadfast despite major trials. I know some; their life testimony is a blessing to me! Thanks for the visit and encouragement.
Posted by John Fairbairn on October 27, 2005 at 11:31 pm
Found this Blog by looking for references to “Vengeance is mine.” I’m on jury duty soon and being a very forgiving sort of person, I wonder how I’ll react when I know that 11 people want the guy hung and I don’t see the point. Ten years ago I might have been awkward, but these days I’ll probably not rock the boat and say, “OK, what the hell – guilty.”
But that’s not why I’m here. My problem is, “What do we do when/if we get to Heaven?” We’re down here for about 70 years, but up there for eternity. I’d like to know something about it before I go. Nobody seems to be able to give any sort of sensible picture of life in Heaven.
The major problem is that if everything is perfect, then all the things we consider good lose their impact. If nobody is in trouble, then kindness is unnecessary. If nobody loses, then winning is meaningless. All that remains is perfect manners at all times, and that seems a little stifling.
If there’s work to be done then it can’t be “difficult”, because nobody has difficulties up there. And putting in one’s “best shot” is meaningless because one never gets tired.
Any ideas on what souls might get up to in paradise?
Posted by marie on October 28, 2005 at 5:06 am
Loved this piece Ty Jayred:).
Steadfastness means to me not so much an optimistic outlook but a Faith grounded in Trust and Confidence in God’s Power and NOT our own.
Trials will come our way, but God will give us the strength for the present moment.
Once again great piece Jayred.
Peace of Christ to ALL
Marie
Posted by jayred on November 6, 2005 at 7:52 am
JOHN FAIRBAIRN: Hi! Thanks for the visit and comment. Your insights are interesting, and your question is valid.
You mentioned that you’re on jury duty now. I hope and pray that you will come up with the right decision in the end. I personally don’t believe in death penalty, and would rather send a person to jail. God is a god of second chances, and I’ve heard stories of prisoners turning away from sin and giving their lives to Jesus Christ while serving their sentence. While God is a god of justice, He is also a god of grace. But I think that was not your major point.
You wrote: “The major problem is that if everything is perfect, then all the things we consider good lose their impact. If nobody is in trouble, then kindness is unnecessary. If nobody loses, then winning is meaningless. All that remains is perfect manners at all times, and that seems a little stifling.”
First, I must say here that not everybody will go to heaven. The gift of eternal life is for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior and Lord (I know it sounds so cliche in this day and age of “born-again jargon”). But this is a fact, and John 3:3 and John 3:16 can support this claim.
Second, I personally don’t think that it’s a “major problem” that if “everything is perfect (in heaven), then all things we consider good will lose their impact.” I respect your opinion on this one. However, I’ve always believed that the Word of God or things pertaining to Christianity should not be intellectualized. Debates are born due to so much intellectual discussions on the Word of God. So let me make it simple here: Christianity is not based on good works; one does not earn his or her salvation. It’s a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8,9). We don’t need to put on our best shot to earn eternal life, ALTHOUGH, as the book of James states, Christians must show their faith through good works. (Please read the book of Ephesians, especially the verses I wrote here for you.)
To answer your real question, being in heaven is being with God, and that’s the whole point. It’s not about us, it’s all about Him. Jesus said to the thief who was beside him when they were both dying on the cross, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) after the dying sinner (the thief) said to God, “Lord, remember me.” Jesus honored the wishes of his repentant heart. And the reward for the thief was a place in paradise where there will be no weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell). That, in itself, is great favor for those who believe. Eternal happiness with the Lord is set forth to repentant believers. When they die, they go to heaven to have never-ending fellowship with God in a “garden of pleasure” (Rev. 2:7). No living person, I guess, can really fathom the great feeling of being with God in Paradise unless he is dead himself/herself. It’s still a mystery for the Christians living in this fallen world because we just know in part, as the Bible says. But in the end, everything will be revealed in His time. And there will be no more room for human failings, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
This may all sound like spiritual “blah-blah” with all the “spiritual jargon,” but I only speak/write from what I know from the Word. Somehow, I hope I was able to answer your question. But if not, my apologies.
Thanks again for visiting “Fish & Loaves.”
MARIE: Thanks for the visit and comment. Indeed, we can go on with the faith only with God’s help, and nothing else. Sometimes, we do things using our own strength. But alas, that will not really work. We need the Lord to be steadfast. Many thanks for your encouraging words.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Posted by John Fairbairn on November 11, 2005 at 12:16 am
Thanks Jayred for the comments. It seems that your explanation is the only one which gets anywhere near a logical answer to the question, What will we do there?
“It will be so different from what we experience here that it is not possible to express in terms we can understand whilst still in our human bodies.”
I don’t expect to “find a garden” there or even a sun which defines earthly nights and days. Without eyes, “seeing the sunrise” seems meaningless. I suspect that we’ll be outside of time too. The unavoidable facts that tomorrow never comes and that yesterday is history will also be meaningless.
That’s why I find that “living” without a body and somewhere beyond time and space seems inconceivable and even terrifying.
And if we are immortal, seventy years as a human will seem so trivial “in retrospect”.
JJF
Posted by John Fairbairn on November 11, 2005 at 1:12 am
Sorry Jayred,
Religious issues which go beyond our worldly concerns can be discussed only in poetical terms. All we have on the subject is in the scripture which is the word of God. We can love it but we cannot “analyse” it.
Hope I haven’t antagonised anyone. You’d better delete anything I’ve raised (if that’s possible). It’s your Blog.
Could I mention scienceNEEDSreligion which is my Blog. Thanks for getting me started. I owe you one.
Love to all, JJF
Posted by Jayred on November 24, 2005 at 9:56 am
JOHN F.: Thanks for the repeat visit and for leaving your comments here. No, I don’t think you’ve antagonized anyone here at Fish & Loaves (well, not me). No need for an apology.
What is your blog’s URL, by the way?
God bless.