Author: Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

First of all, God ”will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able”. Maybe you don´t even feel that He is keeping all your situations under control but as a matter of fact, He has already set the limit of your hardships. God will not let things, that are above what you can bear, enter your life. You probably underestimate your own strength, but God knows better. When your reasoning is right you prevail over hardships. God will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, so you can overcome all difficulties in life – that´s the idea you should feed your mind with.

Yesterday we started talking about how not to give up, when problems and trials are all around us. Today we are going to continue about it and I would like to share with you where we can find the strength for it.

In order for us not to give up when dealing with hardships and challenges we must know that problems are a common thing and a part of life. Nobody is secured against them no matter how big your love for God is. If you think that you are the only one with problems and the others don’t have any, then you set yourself up for failure.

Nowadays many people give up as soon as something does not go like they expected or some problems start to choke them. I will tell you honestly that it is not hard to go through different problems with dignity, – you must learn it. It does not happen automatically; you must prepare yourself for it. If we won’t prepare ourselves ahead of time, then at difficult times we will fail and give up. Lack of discipline and preparation will create instability in our lives and will hinder our progress.

The question arises why so many people start their walk with God but turn aside in one of the crossroads of life; they turn back to where they came from. It reminds me the story of Jewish people. For a long time this nation was in slavery in Egypt. They were burdened by hard work with no payment. The nation of Israel cried out to God, and God delivered them and brought them out of Egypt. They had to walk to the Promised Land. Every day they were getting closer to it. There were difficulties on their way; they had to flee some wrong things, avoid making wrong decisions, wrong relationships; they had to overcome grumbling and complaining. Israelites had to obtain more and more knowledge of God while heading towards their Promised Land.

Laying hold of eternal life means that a person strives to stay on the narrow road which leads to eternal life. Jesus knew that it would be so convenient for many to walk the broad road; being on this road, a person feels comfortable and lives without any restrictions; he does what he wants to do and is not limited by any commitments. But the Bible says that it is the way of sin, because a person is not accountable and moves ‘without brakes’, so to speak; this way leads to destruction. God says that we shouldn’t walk on this way. We must flee sin; we must cast aside all the worldly, ungodly things that hinder us, otherwise we won’t get to our destination – eternal life. Jesus says that many people will deny faith.

«But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).

We say that these three things help us to lay hold on eternal life. We also established that eternal life has its beginning on earth when we get to know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ.

«But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).

In this passage of Scripture Paul talks about that our Christian life has three aspects: According to it, we must:

flee sin;

pursue righteousness;

fight the good fight of faith.

Describing the difficulties of the last days, Jesus said that there would be serious shakings and even the powers of heaven would be shaken. He said that there would be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; He predicted fear and perplexity among men, and roaring and storms in the sea. At that time some people will be extremely fearful; there will be fear of calamities, lots of depression; but others will raise their heads, praise God and joyfully expect their redemption, because they will have the hope of salvation.

Do you believe God wants to manifest His glory in your life among all your sorrows, sufferings, pain, deficiencies and illnesses? Do you expect the glory of God in your life? Do you have that hope, that is expectation of the God´s glory? If your answer is yes, nothing can lead you astray and your peace will flow like a river at the last days. You will also become a source of hope, inspiration and comfort for the other people.

Remember, whatever the horror of this world is, you can expect the glory of God in your life, since you´ve received the helmet of hope, so you know Christ lives in you, the hope of glory!

The God´s word says we are pilgrims and aliens, therefore, do your best to see your selves as such. Doing so we will take after people seeking heavenly home, those who desire not to return to the place they have exited, rather longing for something better, namely, heaven. God is not ashamed of those who are filled with hope of salvation. He is gladly calls Himself their God, for He has prepared a city for them – a shelter to stay in safety during the storm, flood or hunger. God has prepared comfort everlasting and obvious victory for their souls.