DO NOT BE ANXIOUS – LIVE IN THE PRESENT!
April 2, 2020
WAITING ON GOD
April 4, 2020

PERSEVERANCE – YOUR KEY TO ULTIMATE SURVIVAL!

3rd APRIL 2020

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Remember I once told you that a brother had requested for my assistance to help contribute to a book that he was writing. He was writing a book on tolerance and perseverance as basic Christian virtues. I gave him some points and a number of helpful hints. A few weeks later, he sent me a complete manuscript of the book titled: “the debacle of perseverance and the master’s approach”. First, I was taken aback by the title of the manuscript, and I asked him, why “the debacle” in perseverance?   Looking through the manuscript, I saw a chapter titled; “Jesus attitude to perseverance” In that chapter, he quoted several authors and Theologians and then concluded that; God does not lead his children around hardship but leads them straight through hardship. But he leads them no matter what! And amidst the hardship, he is nearer to them than ever before.”  Praise God!  I agreed totally with our brother, more so after going through the rest of the chapter. For me, I believe that perseverance is a painful exercise no doubt, but God is present in the midst of every problem to see us through.  Life is hard for all of us and we all have so many questions and doubts and fears and worries. Even the best among us, men of God inclusive, struggle with questions we cannot answer. I do know that so many people struggle with hurts and pains they can hardly express, especially for fear that people would look down on them for not being able to overcome their problems by faith.  Nevertheless, at this point in our global history when the entire earth and humans are ravaged by COVID – 19 pandemics, I wish to appeal to us to remain calm, while holding onto God the giver of life, and the father of all things everywhere. Yes beloved, God is in charge, no matter how bad it may seem! Do not lose hope for the global dark night is gradually giving way to a bright new morning soonest. I want you to take a critical look at the gospel of Jesus Christ and see what perfect example of perseverance the Master has given. Jesus endured pains and persevered under pressure. Although He was treated with contempt and put to death, the scriptures teach that Jesus won the crown in heaven and on earth. He is presently enthroned in heaven as the saving Lord and Master of the whole world. To rule with Jesus in heaven and on earth, we must believe in His power to save us during this trying moment of a global dark night. Naturally, we have all been slowed down by COVID – 19; we have no choice but to persevere. For instance, if you find yourself in a dark apartment and you try to navigate to the other rooms in the building; you definitely would slow down and move more carefully, one step at a time, being very careful not to collide with objects. Usually, what is uppermost in your heart at that time is how to move to the next room. But you also know that you have to slow down and move gently in the dark. In other words, you do not race from one room to the other as you would normally do when there is light in the building. That is what life entails as well. Amid any confusion and pains, we have to slow down, persevere and hold onto the Master who gives the inner light to navigate through. When we persevere like Jesus, His grace is made stronger in us and we are greatly assisted. Jesus won the crown through perseverance; therefore, in our dark nights, we must align our suffering with the wounds of the Master and be patient for His healing balm to heal us inside out. The way to the crown is necessarily dark and turbulent, but the Master provides the light and the healing balm in the course of the journey. This is what gives us VICTORY throughout the journey of life.

PRAYERS

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for today’s word. Lord, I commit everything into your hands. Give me the inner light and the healing balm to move through the darkness and confusion posed by life exigencies. I declare that your grace is sufficient for me. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Hebrews 12:1-2; James 1:2-4, 12

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi
Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi
Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *