Endurance and Strength

Romans 5:3-4

   "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."

Yesterday, my cousin in Shreveport, LA, phoned me.  She called to give me her sympathy and support.  She's my age, and has been battling cancer for several years.  It's in her neck, brain, and internal organs, yet, she volunteers twice a week, teaching pre-school impoverished children, even though she now weighs only 82 pounds.  She told me that days, it would be easy to just lay down and let death overtake her, but she's not going to give it the satisfaction !!!  What a woman, and what an inspiration to all who know her.
 
As I've said before, we all go through trials and tribulations over which we have no control.  What we DO have control over is our 'response' to those stressful situations.  
 
The following was sent to me by a dear friend.  I do not know whether she wrote it herself, but it definitely blessed us -- hope it does the same for you. 

 

"To be 'more than a conqueror' means you can stand up and say, 'Here's how I see it.  It took everything I've been through to make me who I am and to teach me what I know.  So I choose to be better, not bitter.  I trust the faithfulness of God more than ever.  If faith doesn't move the mountain, it'll give me strength to endure until tomorrow.  And if it's not gone by tomorrow I'll still believe that God is able, and trust Him until it does'. He hasn't taken His eye or His hand off you, not even for a single moment."  

                       Hope that you have a peaceful, stress-free day.  Maggie
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                                                            God Goes Too! 

                    "But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him."     
1 Corinthians 6:17

I once heard about a great man of God who looked in the mirror every day when he put on his suit and said, "Suit, everywhere you go today, God goes in you." And you know, he's right. If you have united yourself to God by receiving Jesus as Lord, everywhere you go today...God goes too!

As believers, we need to start becoming more conscious of that. We need to train ourselves to be constantly aware of God inside of us, talking to us, teaching us, counseling us, empowering us, and enduing us with Himself.

We need to continually remind ourselves that we are one spirit with Him. That means that every time we face a problem, every time we face an evil spirit that tries to influence and hinder our lives, God is facing it too. When we meet those things, God meets them. And He's already overcome them!

Let me encourage you when you get dressed today to look in the mirror and say, "I am united to the Lord and I have become one spirit with Him. Body, everywhere you go today...God goes. God is in you. The power of God is in you. The wisdom of God is in you. The victory of God is in you."

Say that to yourself every day-- many times a day. Keep doing it until you begin to develop the habit of thinking that way. Cultivate a constant awareness of the reality of God living in you! 

 

- Gloria Copeland

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  • 1/23/2011 11:01 PM wrote:
    Wow, your cousin is an inspiration. I've recently been dealing with some health issues, and it is so easy to just focus on the pain and worry while forgetting about all the wonderful aspects in my life. "Choose to be better". That is a motto I can latch onto and follow.
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