We all need both… daily. For me, two of the New Testament people provide this for me – Peter and Paul. One denied the Lord, after he was the first to recognize Who Jesus was, not just once but three, count them – 3, times but went on to head the church because of his rock of confession. The other one spent much of his time persecuting the church until he was caught on the road to Damascus.
I believe that Christians, all of us, get caught up in the lies that the devil throws at us, especially when we do or say something that we shouldn’t, recognize this, but haven’t figured out what to do next. The old – ‘You’ve really blown it this time! If you say you are a Christian, how could you possibly do/say (fill in the blank).’ Sound familiar? How debilitating, crippling! Then, if you remember nothing else, that you are not alone and this will not define who you can become.
I find that I use scripture to bring me hope (our anchor – Hebrews 6:19). We really can’t be proactive nor effective in our world apart from the courage and confidence that is built upon hope. Our issue is really to determine where our hope is and on whom and its strength. Do we respond to every wind that causes us to be on shifting sand? Or do we stand firm (Ephesians 6) knowing on Whom we hope? You really can’t stand apart from your hope.
The other necessary partner is encouragement. We all face those times in which everything seems dismal, that we are seemingly buffeted on all sides. Then we are tested on what and who we believe. Will we listen to all the naysayers or check to make certain we have tested the spirits (1John 4:1-6) and know that we are following where the Lord is leading? Encouragement does also come in the midst of challenge. Encouragement may or may not come from others, but should you make your final decision based on opinion? Perhaps. But look to how scripture also encourages us.
Hope and Encouragement. With them as your partners then you are truly well equipped. Besides… I am also completely convinced that if we are on the wrong path that the Lord will help us through and onto the right one. I believe He is wanting us to be successful and aids us to become all we can be.
