Follow“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently . . .” (Rev. 3:10)
Do you remember these words from Pastor Brian’s message this last week? They really seemed to resound with me.
So how do we endure patiently? This life that we live here on earth is full of trials and tribulations, most of our own making, but how do we endure these things patiently? It is an ever-present struggle for us, and I am no exception. Some are small and happen to us and then fade away, but the larger trials may take days or months or even years, and they are ever present in our memories.
Janna and I are just coming out of one of those long periods—almost two years. I have to admit that at times, I did become depressed for a little bit, but always Jesus was with us. He reminded me of all the times in my past when He had used trials to teach me something (there were a lot of those times) and showed me how I came out of them stronger than when I went in. It was these memories that helped me endure and helped me lead Janna and the rest of the family to endure, very patiently, and eventually turned this endurance to complete joy.
“See, I have placed before you an open door, that no one can shut.” (Rev. 3:8)
No matter what happens in our lives, God has the door open. He is ready for us to walk through, but we are too often wallowing in the lies that Satan tells us. How often have you been depressed about your circumstances? Why? The Lord is always there, waiting for you to walk through that door that He has opened. Look back on your life! He has always brought you out of the valleys. Remove the veil of lies from Satan and see clearly the door that is open.
This is not to say that trials will automatically disappear. Instead, when you see that light from the open door, you are able to endure those other trials and learn what God is trying to teach you. At this point, you are ready to be joyful, even while going through your trials. It is in these times that other people marvel at how you are handling the situation and how joyful you are, when, to the world, you should be sad and wallowing in self-pity. Blah!
This is not Heaven. We will have trials and tribulations! The question is, How are we going to deal with these? Remember, “What He opens no one can shut” (Rev. 3:7).
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