"You however know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings and what kind of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra; and the persecutions I endured. YET the LORD, rescued me from ALL of them."
~ 2 Timothy 3:10-11
I never thought I would feel like Paul. I've never been to jail or really persecuted in the extreme and unmerciful way Paul was. But like Paul I have gone through hardship after hardship. My faith and endurance needed to be fully intact because without it, I would not have survived. People who have known me a long time know about how I try to live my life, they know what my calling is, they know about my faith and the love I show to people.
Like Paul, people knew and people prayed and supported him every single day. I know I will never be on the same level as Paul, but in my own way I recognize that I would have never gotten through all of my hardship without Christ, and those who have come alongside me and supported me. Whether it was through prayer, encouragement, or constant speaking into my life.
Like Paul, people knew and people prayed and supported him every single day. I know I will never be on the same level as Paul, but in my own way I recognize that I would have never gotten through all of my hardship without Christ, and those who have come alongside me and supported me. Whether it was through prayer, encouragement, or constant speaking into my life.
For a long time I spent my life in hiding. I wore masks and I kept myself from others. After being silenced for so long it was a struggle and a constant battle to open up and share my life with people. I lived life alone for so long it became a struggle to have people in my life. The people closest to me now showed me that I needed to let others break through the walls and barricades I had up.
Paul throughout his ministry had support. People constantly lifting him up in prayer. I think he was able to get through all his hardships because he knew the Lord was with him, but also he knew there were people praying him through everything he encountered. He had faith. Faith in Christ and faith in others who followed after Christ.
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
~ Ephesians 3:33 (ESV)
"What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up."
~ 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)
I am thankful for the Lord's deliverance through my hardships, but also thankful for the constant support and edification I receive from those who are beside me through my life. I am blessed more so than I ever thought I could be. In that I will continue to trust in Him who has shown himself trustworthy. Whatever may come towards me I know Christ has rescued me and I have backup beside me and behind me, people there to help me succeed.
