Endurance

I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’ and to the south, ‘Don’t hold any back!’ Bring my sons from distant lands, and my daughters from the remote regions of the earth, everyone who belongs to Me, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed – yes, whom I made! Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. From the east I will bring your descendants; from the west I will gather you.  Isaiah 43:5-7 NET

To be chosen by God is both a blessing and a test.... We must prove our faith again and again no matter the hardship no matter the loss no matter the cost for God provides all for all who follow Him faithfully.  I am learning to be so thankful for all the obstacles God has seen me through because how can we learn to be overcomers if there is nothing to overcome? {tweetme}If life had no hurdles or challenges, faith would have no purpose. {/tweetme}It is easy to have faith when everything is going well, but courageous and robust faith is forged only through testing. Holy Spirit reminds us that the Christian life is not always an easy, carefree life. Knowing, reading, believing in the Bible does not mean that life will be ideal with no sorrow or trials and tribulations..... with no accountability for our sins .... because if that were really the case we would not be living we would be simply existing and God did not create us to simply exist.  And if we did not face and endure our challenges, losses, disappointments how would we be able to stand and help others up? How would we know the light of God if we never bore a veil of darkness over our eyes? Through victories over seemingly terrifying obstacles we become encouraging, compassionate and understanding people, helping those around us.