Many years ago, when God gave me a revelation of His promise for my life in John 10:10 (NIV), it was literally life-changing. The truth that Jesus came “that they may have life, and have it to the full” gave me a determination to no longer settle for just barely getting by in my everyday life.
As I became more serious about my relationship with God and discovered how to really “do life” with Him, the more I experienced the peace and joy that only Jesus can give. And it made me passionate about helping others take hold of everything God has for their lives, too.
So many people are hurting, struggling to find joy, peace and fulfillment. They’re missing out on the good plan God has for them because they don’t know that He wants them to have life in Christ “to the full” now, in this life. Sadly, many who get this realization often settle for less than God’s best because it requires determination and diligence to get there.
Hard Things Can Bring Good Results
These days, with all the modern technology we have, it’s easy to be lazy and expect to just glide through life. Some people don’t have the tenacity to press through challenges because so much of life is automated and convenient.
I remember when simply making a phone call required some effort. And when I first started studying the Bible and teaching, it was quite a job to put even one message together because we didn’t have the internet to get all of our information from.
We like things to be easy, but when things are too easy, it isn’t necessarily good for us because we lack perseverance and determination to press through them. When hard times and challenges come (and they will come), we will need to do some pressing or we’ll give up.
Never Give Up
When I talk about “pressing,” what I mean is we have to press against the pressure that’s coming against us, holding us back from doing what God is leading us to do. For example, maybe you’ve experienced rejection, betrayal, abandonment, injustices, discouragement or disappointment. You need to forgive someone, but it feels impossible to do it and move on.
In His Word, God says, “If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:15). And in John 13:34, Jesus says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Romans 12:21 clearly says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
You may be thinking, “Joyce, it’s too hard. You don’t know what they did to me!” I understand. And I know it’s not easy to press through your pain and fear to do what God is showing you to do. It took time and determination for me to forgive my father for abusing me and my mother for knowing about it but not having the courage to get me out of that situation. But God helped me to do it, and ultimately, it set me free to move forward in His call on my life to minister to people all over the world.
Press Past Feelings and Put Your Trust in God
The key to getting your breakthrough is making a determined decision to press past the pain of feelings and do what you know you should do even while you’re hurting. In other words, you can’t wait until you feel like doing what is right.
God wants you to move forward in His plan for your life. But the only way you are going to do that is by starting now to do what you need to do, the things you’ve been putting off because you don’t feel like doing them. Choose to believe that by God’s grace and with His help, you can do what you know in your heart you should do, not just what feels good.
If you’re struggling with this, let me encourage you. Philippians 4:13a (AMP) says, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose].” And 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) says that God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Whatever your challenge may be—getting out of debt, strengthening your marriage, pursuing a new job, getting in better physical health and so forth—God’s grace can empower you to do it. Ask Him to help you. Trust Him to be with you, and start taking steps of faith, doing what you know you can do today. Press on to the great things Jesus came to give you! {eoa}
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
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