Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
Life is a journey and, on this journey, we will encounter situations that’ll challenge and possibly rob us of our joy and peace.
I believe it’s fair to say that suffering, trials and troubles will inevitably be part of our lives. Jesus Himself forewarned us that we will face and experience troubles here on earth. But He didn’t just give us the bad news, He encouraged and reassured us that He had overcome the world. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
Finding ourselves “in the middle” can sometimes be very difficult, especially when our realistic and reasonable expectations seem to have been dashed. For example, our expectations of the people we’ve trusted. Or, of a project or task we’ve worked hard at, and the outcome hasn’t turned out the way we expected. Or even our expectation of God to positively answer our prayers, but it seems He’s not interested in our matter.
Jesus Christ, as author and perfecter of our faith, has done everything necessary for us to persevere and endure in our faith. So, let us fix our eyes on the One who has already overcome the world on our behalf. Focusing on our hurt and disappointment could easily lead us to drift into a position of complete rebellion against God. I know because I’ve been there!
Jesus focused on the joy that was set before Him. His attention was not on the horrible and humiliating agonies of the cross but on the glorious crown awaiting Him. He despised and disregarded the shame of being crucified like a common criminal. In faith, He fixed His eyes on the reward. The reward was a place at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just as Christ endured the cross, we have been given the grace to see us through our moments of disappointments, rejection, failure, sickness, loneliness and lostness.
We should be careful not to focus too much on the situation. Focusing on the situation can easily lead us to become bitter, resentful, or bad-tempered, or to give up on our hopes and dreams. Let’s be careful not to drift to a place of depression or where our mental health suffers.
Are you “in the middle” right now? Have you been let down by someone close to you, or who you trust, or love? Are you dealing with something that has made you or tempted you to ask, “Where is God”?
In the next blog, we will talk about the attitude we need to adopt when we’re “in the middle”.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 