| Push Past the Pain Sept. 12, 2007 |
Phil 3:14 KJV I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. There will be times when the pain of a situation causes us to want to give up. We are tired of crying and we are fed up with being hurt. But sometimes God requires us to push past the pain that we are feeling in order to fulfill a much higher calling or purpose. For instance, a mother is expected to push past the physical pain of labor in order to achieve the birth of her baby. A soldier is expected to push past the physical and mental pain and fatigue in order to fulfill the mission. A couple is expected to push past the emotional pain that they have caused one another in order to sustain their family. And likewise a Christian is expected to push past their pain in order to reach the victory that God is holding for them on the other side. "How do we do this?" One might ask. By keeping our eyes focused on the prize rather than the pain. Imagine the pain that our Lord had to push past in order to accomplish the will of the Father on the cross. We have to remember the very reason that we are to endure these burdens is to bring glory to God and His Kingdom. And our ultimate goal is to make Him proud to call us Son. We must learn to keep our eyes on Heaven. We are to put our pain into perspective by looking forward to the goal that we are hoping to achieve rather it is short-term or long (i.e. a sound marriage, a whole relationship, a release from addiction, or a victorious testimony). Doing all things as if Christ himself were the one asking us to do them. Focusing on the prize will lessen the pain and will help us reach our destination sooner and with much more joy than we ever could have anticipated. So we must push past the pain, so then we can press toward the prize. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Minister Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Scripture References Mark 5:27-28 KJV 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. Eph. 6:5-8 NKJV 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men- pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. |