There comes a time in everyone’s life where we are given the chance to see what we’re really made of.
Those situations that you hear about people going through and think, “I couldn’t possibly handle those circumstances if I found myself in them” become the very circumstances you find yourself faced with.
I could list a number of examples, but I don’t believe it’s necessary because you know them already. A diagnosis, an unfair judgment, a broken relationship, financial distress – whatever it is, you very well may be living one of those difficult circumstances right this very minute.
No matter how you spin it and rightfully strive to keep a healthy perspective, it’s just plain hard. Today I want you to know that I acknowledge how difficult your trial(s) may be. It’s okay to feel the hurt.
But please don’t let it define every last aspect of what your identity is meant to be. If you follow Jesus you are called to be something greater than a statistic or a title that others want to give you.
You are a child of God and therefore His heir. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:14-17
You are an overcomer. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
You are holy because He is holy. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10
So what are you made of? If you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, you’re made of so much more than what your emotions or your enemies are trying to tell you. Nothing and no one can possibly remove you from the protection and power that comes from the pure and perfect love of God.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
Rest in the truth of God’s promises. Then stand up and fight with the power that comes from knowing you are more than your circumstances.