I am an Overcomer

Have you ever sat back to reflect on the journey that God has brought you through to get you to where you are at this very moment? 

Well, recently, I had this apophony concerning this same question. I started to take inventory of my life over the years, and I can honestly say that God has been good in all His ways, and His faithfulness goes beyond what I can imagine. Through the good, bad, and ugly times in my life, He has been the most consistent factor that never changes. His promise, love, and faithfulness have never waivered or changed regardless of how I treated Him. When we are in the midst of our circumstances, it is hard to see any good beyond what we see and feel in the moment. The enemy creates this tunnel vision to blind us from the other 500 things that is going right in front of our eyes and what God is doing in our lives. And I am here to remind you and myself that we are blessed beyond measures despite what is happening around us.

As time passes and we reflect on our lives, we will understand that everything we go through in life is a steppingstone and a tool that God uses to prepare us for the future. Not to say that the cruel things that happen in life are mere plans of God, but He uses the good and the bad for the edifying of the Kingdom. We, as people, have to learn to see the silver lining in the obstacles and challenges we face daily. Trust me, I know it is hard. But God is calling us to a higher way of thinking. Are you able to see Christ amid your tribulations, prosecutions, and oppressions? 

The scriptures tell us in 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” The last thing we want to do is suffer, but if we can see Christ in our suffering and accept that He holds the keys to our lives, the suffering or prosecution is just for a nigh. To help us endure these times of darkness, we must remember who holds the key to our endurance. If it were up to us, how many of us would have thrown in the towel, given up, or walked away from the things God wanted to use to propel us into our calling. 

And I know it is one thing to say that we must endure our “bondage” or “captivity,” but how do we persevere in such a place? And I use these terms because, in that place, we can feel a sense of hopelessness. But when we are in challenging circumstances, the enemy uses them to hold us bound and forces us to take our eyes and trust off of God, especially when all we see around us is disappointment and sadness.

So again, how do we overcome it? 

-We have to look to God, who is the source of our strength. Paul reminded us, in 2 Corinthians 12:10, that, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He does not want to see us suffer, but He wants to be our strength in times of weakness. 

– Keep in mind that to reign with Him, we also have to take us your cross and follow Him, take up his yoke and learn of Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light, (Matthew 11: 29-30). 

-Staying focused on Him and reflecting on all the time He has come through for you, for this will give you hope. That hope in him will fuel our faith and trust in Him.

– Listen to that still quiet voice, and you will NEVER go wrong. Find joy and peace being in His presence. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, KJV). 

-Take some time with Him, and He will direct your path. Clinging to His words will help you withstand the enemy’s fiery dart. 

All in all, there is no pain or hurt that is greater than Him. Even through grief, God will give you the strength as long as you trust Him. When everyone around you has failed you, Jesus will never leave you. Just know that whatsoever you are going through in this season is just a resource for the Kingdom. That dark place will be a testament to someone else, so do not lose hope and keep pressing. Do not lose hope in the one you will reign with in the end.