Stay Strong!

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in The Lord" (Psalm 31:24 NIV)

Staying strong in the face of adversity, persecution, and ridicule takes courage.  And courageous people are stronger than those who are full of pride and arrogant.  How do we know?  Those who are arrogant--so full of themselves that think rules don't apply to them--or think they know everything--eventually discover the end of themselves when they realize--the rules do apply and they don't know everything.  Those who are full of pride--who think they do not need anyone but them or are too ashamed to ask for help--eventually fall under the pressure of their pride.

But those who dare to stand up--to the bullies, to injustice, to fight for the rights of others, to withstand the ridicule of fools (for The Word says,"the fool has said in his heart, there is no God"), who face enduring illness with determination, who will maintain their faith in God, no matter what--those are the strong.

Think about your reaction to life--the good and bad things that occur almost on a daily basis; are you the strong?  Take heart!  If you are willing to keep your focus on the hope you have in Christ Jesus, your determination will strengthen you and you will know--the hope of glory!