Episode 279: Encouragement - The Fuel of Hope

I have been greatly encouraged by the Devotional Plan - Encouragement: The Fuel of Hope provided by Free Gift from God (http://freegiftfromgod.com) via the Bible app. My teenage son and I are are studiing the plan together and I would love to encourage you with it as well. Albert Einstein once said: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” These are interesting words because at the heart of them is this question; where do you find encouragement? The encouragement we find in the midst of a crisis does not come from the crisis. It comes from how we see and react to the crisis. Difficulties will crush some people, while others are strengthened and push forward to reach the goals in their life. What is it about those who lift and move on to bigger and better things, overcoming the difficulties to find the opportunity in the midst of difficulties? It is hope and encouragement. They do not focus on the struggles, difficulties, problems, and crises that they are facing. Instead, they ignore those things and look to a better outcome, a stronger future, and a path to resolution and salvation. As Christians, we know these things. We know that difficulties are part of the journey. We know that God said He disciplines those whom He loves, so that even when we are suffering discipline, we can be encouraged that it is for our betterment because God loves us. So, where do we find this encouragement? We find it in the presence of God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are encouraged in Hebrews 12:3-13 to consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners …so that we won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures. After all, you have not yet reached the point of sweating blood in your opposition to sin. We are further encouraged not to underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct us. For the Lord’s training of our lives is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws us to himself, it proves we are his delightful children.” We are implored to fully embrace God’s correction as part of our training, for God is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons. And isn’t it true that we respect our earthly fathers even though they corrected and disciplined us? Then we should demonstrate an even greater respect for God, our spiritual Father, as we submit to his life-giving discipline. Our parents corrected us for the short time of our childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects us throughout our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share his holiness. Listen further - “Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it. “ So, what do we need to keep doing? I love the way the Easy translated it “So, be strong …If your hands feel weak, lift them up! If your knees are not strong, stand up straight! Walk straight in front of you, step by step! Your example will help other Christians to serve God well. People who cannot walk well will not become worse and fall down. Instead, their legs will become strong again.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:12-13‬ ‭EASY‬‬…