Sometimes, you have to endure for the promises set before you.

Sometimes, things don’t look as you want them to. Yet, still, you are thankful for the tiny blessings that God gives today.

Sometimes, you have to go through a tough season that will eventually lead to change.

Sometimes, you have to hope for the things in front of you – the things you can’t see yet. The things that will be.

The joy set before you is real, and the pain of your current season is real. It’s neither one nor the other.

Sometimes, you are healing, but you are not healed.

You’ve seen miracles and promises fulfilled, yet you are still waiting on miracles and promises fulfilled.

If the above relates to you right now, I have three encouragements to give to you…

1. GOD CANNOT GO BACK ON HIS PROMISES

Stewarding God’s promises, setting your sights on God’s hope set before you – it’s not always easy. If you are like me, you might often forget the promises God has spoken to you. You might struggle to remember where He is leading you, you might overlook plans He has for you to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11).

I don’t think I am the only one that gets lost in the disappointing days.

When that happens it is important to remember that God cannot go back on a promise. If He said something, surely He will do it.

In the book of Hebrews it states:

“When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying ‘I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (Hebrews 6:13-15, NIV)

Think about that: God is the greatest. If He promised something and swore it by His own name, surely He will do it. Hebrews continues:

“People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of wat was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:16-20, NIV)

The fact that God has promised to do something should put an end to all doubt in your mind. If He said it, it’s final. He is unchanging in His faithfulness.

But, there’s a daily choice to make – will you hold fast to promises God has spoken? Or will you forget that His word never returns empty.

God’s promises require stewardship. You and I can forget His word. Or, we can hold onto hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

So will you I hold fast for the joy set before you?

Do you really believe that He can work miracles in your life again?

Are you going to remind your soul of who He is and what He’s about to do, or will you struggle through the day to day… letting the struggle be the focus rather than the hope?

2. YOU ARE ALREADY AMAZING, RIGHT NOW, JUST AS YOU ARE!

Sometimes, I need help to remember who I am. That I am God’s child. I was made by Him, I am adored by him. I was made for Him; to bring Him worship glory.

I know I’m not enduring – instead, I’m getting lost in the chaos and pain of the ‘not yet.’ ‘Not healed,’ ‘not a homeowner,’ ‘not reconciled to that special person, nor that one’. ‘Not yet a published writer,’ ‘not yet with a thriving ministry.’

I’m forgetting that I am a loved wife, and a daughter of a very wealthy God who will provide for all my needs. I’m forgetting there’s also more to come.

Are you forgetting who you are?

Are you forgetting that Jesus endured the cross to set you free from sin, shame and sickness? He rescued you because He loved you and, if you were the only person on the earth, He would have still endured the cross for the joy of your freedom. That is the truth of His love for you.

You are already amazing, just as you are. Even if life doesn’t look how you want it to. Even if you are still struggling.

3. STRUGGLE IS TO BE EXPECTED

Listen – you haven’t failed, but you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Struggle isn’t a sign that you have failed. Sometimes a little pressure is required – because a little pressure can lead to great change – the new, the next, the hope yet unseen.

And, often: things are just hard without explanation. The negative situation you are in – it is not necessarily you fault. Dare I say it… it’s not even your responsibility to fix those negative things, even though you’ve been trying.

Jesus said that we should expect struggle in this life. (John 16:33, NIV) So, please, don’t blame yourself when things go awry. Don’t put pressure on yourself to love every second of every day! Don’t tell yourself that you “shouldn’t feel like this.” The struggle is real, and the joy is real. It’s neither one nor the other. Accept that.

CONCLUSION

So here’s to you. To you – you who feels like they are taking 5 steps back after seeing so much progress. To you – faced with daily blessing and daily pain, often in equal measure. To you – struggling to admit that you are struggling. To you: laughing one minute…. and crying the next:

YOU ARE ABLE TO WORSHIP BECAUSE HE IS ALWAYS GOOD.

YOU ARE ABLE TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH OF HOW YOU ARE HURTING, BECAUSE HE IS NOT SURPRISED AND KNOWS EVERY THOUGHT, EVERY WORD – EVEN BEFORE IT IS ON YOUR TOUNGE.

YOU ARE ABLE TO CONFESS, BECAUSE HE GIVES MERCY AND GRACE.

YOU ARE ABLE TO BE WEAK, BECAUSE HE IS YOUR STRENGTH.

YOU ARE ABLE TO ASK FOR HELP, BECAUSE HE PROVIDES.

And, girl…

YOU ARE ABLE TO ENDURE, BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY ENDURED. (Hebrews: 12:2)