When you persevere through something hard, other experiences begin to feel easy in comparison. As you endure, your capacity to endure grows. It wasn’t to lessen the significance of their pain and suffering but to reveal something about what happens when our faith is tested. When you’re hurting, it’s not very encouraging to hear someone say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” But in the first century, that’s exactly what James said to the early Christians as they faced the constant threat of persecution. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work (James 1:2–4) God gives us the strength to endure each day, and at the end of this life, he has something far greater in store for those who persevere. It’s about seeing your pain and your struggles next to the triumph of the cross and the promise of eternal life with Jesus. This isn’t about reducing the weight of your suffering. And if we endure hardship for Christ-for a moment, a month, or a lifetime-our trials and tribulations will be nothing in comparison to the glory we will experience when Christ returns and calls us home. Your body is not a reflection of your spirit. But no matter how broken we feel, God can renew us from within. Illness, injury, and physical challenges can make us uncomfortably aware of how fragile we are. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Therefore we do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16–18) While the circumstances of your life can push you to the physical, emotional, or mental breaking point, Jesus offers us an easier yoke and a lighter burden. When we go to him and focus on the things that matter to him, we can find rest for our souls. Jesus doesn’t ask us to work for the things the world expects us to. Between work, school, ministry, bills, relationships, and everything else, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations that weigh us down. And that’s good, because life is exhausting. While we aren’t being oppressed by Rome, and as Christians we’re not bound to the covenant between God and Israel, Jesus still offers rest for our souls. Jesus offered an easier yoke and a lighter burden. One constantly oppressed them, and the other held them to an impossible standard. To the Jewish people living in Jesus’ day, two constant burdens were difficult to bear: Rome and the Law of Moses. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Whether you or people you care about are struggling with temptation, in the middle of a crisis, or just trying to keep going, God can use these verses to uplift you. We’ve pulled together 23 encouraging bible verses. Like the Israelites, we too can lean on God’s promises during our darkest hour. Paul and the other New Testament authors can fill us up and inspire us to face the challenges of the Christian life. The words of Jesus can comfort us when we’re feeling broken, weary, and worthless. T hankfully, there are many encouraging bible verses we can turn to. And when a friend, a loved one, or a member of your church faces trials, it’s difficult to know how to encourage them. When you’re in the middle of the storms of life, it can be hard to find the strength you need to keep going.
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