Press On

 

Press On

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Despite the many trials, rejections, and problems we have experienced, we must not despair and continue to rise up to try again. If you are at the point of surrender, recall stories of people who did not give up and are now enjoying the fruit of their hard work and perseverance. Therefore, during times of uncertainty and trials, we should turn our lives over to God and allow Him to do what is best.

Why should we not give up immediately when there is a trial coming into our lives?

1.    Life is never easy but God is our strength

By now, you should already know that life is not really easy. Success is not served to you.
It must be worked hard and labored. We need to work hard. Even if you are rich, you need to be wise and hardworking to maintain and grow the resources and livelihood inherited from them. Otherwise, all these can disappear and be taken away from them if they don't work hard. God does not promise us an easy life. He promised those who put their trust in Him a full and abundant life but not an easy life. It says’ Isaiah 26:4, "Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord is everlasting strength."

2.    Problems are Temporary

     We must not give up immediately because every problem and trial has an end. God is eternal. Your problems are not. The problem is, we are too focused on the problem so we are more discouraged and hopeless. Focus on your eternal hope in God and not on the temporary troubles you are facing. Say to your problem, "You'll end too, you won't be forever." When you look at the problem for only a short time, you have the motivation to keep going even when you are having a hard time. So it is good to always keep in mind the target or end-result you want to achieve.
When I went up to Brgy. Luboong in Ifugao for a 4hours walk, I want to give up a few times and just go back to the bottom of the mountain. But I kept on focusing on the mission outreach and the beauty that awaits those who reach it. Although it was very difficult, I continued and with the help of God and my companions, I reached the top of the mountain where our group's mission outreach was.  Sometimes we think it is very difficult and there seems to be no end but everything really has an end even problems or trials.

3) A prize awaits those who press on.

    There is a reward for hard work. And the reward is not just material. You feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that will never be experienced by those who give-up mid-way. It feels really comfortable and light when you pass all the tests. And you can think it’s all worth it and it's good to keep going and not give up. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me". Success is sweeter when you work hard and strive for it. A very short defeats should not dampen your spirit. Keep on. Press on and in the end, you will enjoy the prize for your hard work and perseverance.

We let go of the past, the pain, the heartbreak, and the disappointments. We let go of the weight that pulls us down – down into depression and down into despair – and instead, we choose to live our lives in faith. I'm sure we will face challenges in our life, and our job, but we do not immediately walk out and give up. Life may not be easy but God is our strength. Your problems are only temporary. And a great prize awaits you if you simply press on.

I just want to encourage you today, to stay focused, don’t look back, keep moving, and stay on course!

Choose today to pursue godly goals and keep pressing toward them until you’ve seen them come to pass in at the finish line. As you and I persevere by keeping our eyes on Jesus our prize we will cross the finish line your life. Don’t stop. Keep taking steps every day to your goals. We press into Him on the hard days because now we do not run our races alone; Jesus has made us His own.   Press on for the prize until you meet the Lord Jesus triumphantly. As we make our relationship with Jesus our daily priority, His Holy Spirit will empower us to endure the Christian race so we can finish with joy. May we rejoice in this truth and run our races for God’s glory!

 Dear Father,  lift our aim to the goal of eternity, help us to let go of the past so we may run this race with renewed energy and faith. Lord may we always run the race set before us, never being distracted. Lord, move and motivate us to seek to be transformed more and more every day after the image of Jesus Christ. In his name, Jesus, Amen.