The Journey is Supposed to be Tough

The Journey is supposed to be tough and the inner struggles are real!

The challenge to grow as a person or believer in Christ was never intended to be smooth sailing. How would one appreciate victory without experiencing defeat. Sports can be a good example of this or failing a test or exam.
Perhaps you or somebody you know is bound “chained” in addiction and can’t seem to overcome it or get see free from it’s dark power. The shadows of darkness, bondage, and temptations never quit and the inner battle is real.

Although the struggles with temptation is not sin the choice to participate is! There is too much labeling of symptoms of addiction as a disease but not sin. Just because something is legal by law doesn’t make it right! Drugs is a good example, along with other vices such as pornography, etc.

We must be honest with ourselves in order to begin our road to recovery or to obtain victory.

To begin this journey of victory we must make a choice to realize and face our need from addiction. God offers hope through the sacrifice of His only son. Naming and confessing the bondage of sin and addiction is the beginning to victory. The victory has been paid by Christ debt to humanity, however, the journey is a marathon and not a sprint.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds (stripes) we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4‭-‬5 NIV

Christ died on the cross not only for our spiritual disease called sin, but He died for our physical and emotional needs as well. How many times have you tried and failed doing it on your own?

Laying aside the weights and sins or (bondages, addictions) that so easily trip you up. Our solution is to look unto Jesus who provided the way to victory, deliverance, and healing.

” Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance (perseverance) the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…”
Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 NLT

As you focus on Jesus, He will take your burdens, heavy weights, sins, and help you to fight your battles and struggles. It takes faith (belief) in God’s Word to trust Him for the impossible.

My friend I pray you find peace and freedom in your journey because the battles we face are real. It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed, but what matters is that you keep trying and move forward out of the trenches. Remember, Jesus is reaching his hand down to you to pick you back up.

Jesus is your friend and sticks closer than a brother

Like the song James Taylor wrote, ” “You’ve got a Friend “

“When you’re down and troubled,
And you need some love and care,
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend”

In this tough journey you have a friend in Jesus. Call out to Jesus today!