Have courage. Be patient. Focus on Jesus. Stay observant.

I know sometimes this is difficult to do.

At times the world makes us have little courage. We see everything around us, and within, we might want to make lots of change and help. Live for Jesus. Be a light in the darkness. But the world is set up so we never go without suffering. It makes us think if we speak up we will get ostracized. And guess what? We might. But Jesus said that those who follow him will experience trouble from the world. But be of good cheer. Jesus overcame the world. Jesus said if he was mocked, so too shall we. But don’t let it get you down. Jesus was fully human. Yes, fully God. But also fully human. So he knows exactly what we are going through. He not only sympathizes with us but he empathizes. Because he went through it too. On a human level. Also, sometimes we experience obstacles, and it seems the path is full of heart break. But I’m telling you right now. God will use every poor choice, we make, and every hurt someone sends our way, curses. Whatever it is. He’s going to make you stronger because of it. He’s going to give you Hope. He breaks us down to build us back up so we know. We know. He is God. He is Good. And we are his. And he is with us. And he has only good planned for us.

Sometimes it’s difficult to be patient too. With others, but a lot of times with ourselves too. We think we have to do all these things. Accomplish all these things. Have this kind of job. That kind of career. Have to obtain certain levels of success. .. you know what’s success to Jesus. And he says it himself, Lord when did we see you without food and not feed you. When did we see you without drink and not give you water. When did we not visit you. And Jesus said, what you do to the least of these you do to me. That’s success, being there for others. Jesus said you saw me hungry and fed me. You saw me thirsty and gave me water. They said Lord when did we do this. Jesus says what you do to others you do to me. Love God and Love your neighbor. That’s success. Store up treasures in Heaven which won’t decay or rot. That’s success. Being okay with who you are and what you believe. Realizing God is making you into this beautiful gem. Which you already are. But he’s getting you to see it too. So don’t worry what you think you need to be doing. Trust God. It’s his plan. And you are part of it. You might think you need to make all this money and all this success. What if God sees your success when you’re compassionate to those in need. When you pray. When you trust him. That’s success. To speak life. And offer peace. That’s success.

Focus on Jesus. He is our solid rock. He is our firm foundation. He is our counselor. He is our dearest friend. He is our protector and redeemer. He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. He is with us always. Even when we can’t hear or see him. He is there. This is when faith is the hardest. When we can’t sense God. This is when we are made weak. And the devil is coming around saying see God doesn’t love you God isn’t there for you. Get behind thee satan! God is always with us. Always. He has a plan. He has a purpose. And he is always Good. In our weakness Jesus makes us strong. So focus on Jesus. What he did for us. His life. His sacrifice. His defeat of hell. His resurrection from the dead. His teachings. Make him the center of your life. Because you’re already the center of his life.

Stay observant of the world around you. Maybe God put you through some heart break to get you to wake up within. To build you back up as a disciple who knows Jesus has the final say. Or maybe he made life difficult so you can see what the world does to those of good will. So you can empathize and help others. Or maybe God just wanted you here now to learn. So let God teach you. Observe. See the world around you. See the curses. Understand what it means when the Bible says the last adam is a life giving spirit. We are to speak life. And we a part of the Living.

Love others. Jesus said love others as I have loved you. This is how they will know you are my disciples.