In Spite of All the Hard Times

by: Victor Wierwille

I Corinthians 13 tells us that right now these three things stand: believing, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is Love.

In the moment, times can seem to be especially oppressive. There is always the constant weight of the world’s pressures pressing down. Looking back at some of my times in S.O.W.E.R.S.®, they look glorious in my memory. However, when I put more effort into my thoughts, I also remember those days were always hard, too. Sometimes it seems that “right now” is always harder than any other time, but that is just an illusion. “Right now” can always be just as joyful as any other. It is a matter of where we put our thoughts. For instance, one of the most vivid lines in scripture to me is the one that says, “For the joy that was set before him, endured the cross…” If you want to be upset, you will be upset. If you want joy, you have to change your thinking. Change our thinking to what, you ask? Look to the Word of God for your joy and purpose.

Have you ever wondered what was important to God? There are so many things that people are emphasizing about God and what is “true.” We go through phases in our lives when we need to focus on certain aspects of the truth as we grow with God. However, just because it is important for you at this moment, doesn’t mean that everyone else needs to be emphasizing the same things. It is always good to read each of the New Testament epistles as a whole to see the greater scope of what is important to God. What is important to me? You can bet it is what I am speaking about the most. The same goes with God. Take a step back and consider what He is talking about the most in each epistle. You’ll be surprised to find it isn’t the super miracles, signs, and wonders we can do that take the spotlight. Usually, it is what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ and, in return, how to walk worthy of that calling and how we ought to treat each other. You remember the big trio: “Faith, Hope, and Love.” Do those things, think those things. These epistles written to the Church will absolutely bring joy and peace to your life.