So What Now?!? Stay in the Ring!

At the end of the day, life is all about endurance. I mean think about it. Survival of the fittest usually boils down to the last man/woman standing. The one that said, “regardless of what I’m faced with, I will NOT give up the fight.” The one that can come out victorious at the end of any sporting event is the one that can hang tough for the duration of the game, without focusing on the score. As soon as you and I look up at the time clock and realize we have more time left in the game than we imagined, our hope/faith seems to dissipate and it’s at THAT very moment that the enemy takes advantage of our thoughts. I’m here to remind us all to keep focused. Not on the shot clock, but on THE ONE! The one who made heaven and earth and the author and finisher of our faith. The only thing you and I need to commit to is to stay on the court. We need to commit to finish the race. We owe it to ourselves to stay in the ring. No matter how many rounds, we stay focused on the present moment knowing that God is with us and has promised to NEVER leave us nor forsake us.

I heard this phrase the other day and it has blessed my entire life. “Sometimes God answers right away. Sometimes He seems to delay. But every time we can trust that, in His timing, He will make a way.” I don’t know who needs the reminder. Maybe it was myself. I just know that we as Christians seems to fall short and give up the match when He seems to be delayed. I’m talking to myself and actually looking in the mirror as I say this. We grew up thinking that the good life equaled answered prayers based on what we prayed. I mean like why would God come through any other way, right? Clearly we know best. I want to encourage someone out there to stay in the ring even if the answer may have been “No” or “not right now!” Trust that He knows best! What you need to realize is that even right now, in your moment of frustration and disappointment, He has not left you. Everywhere you look, He is right there. The problem is that while we are in the ring, we are looking at everything else BUT Him. I remembered one day I was willing to walk away from it all. I was reminded that I have to keep my eyes on the prize. The prize is not always what I’m asking God for or what I hope He will do for me. The prize is keeping focused on what God has promised me. He has promised eternal life to those that “confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead.” #StayFocused #StayInTheRingWithJesus

For those that may be thinking about stepping away or walking away from it all. Reflect on this before you make your final decision. First you have to make up in your mind that you will 1) Move from victim to victor. Whatever is happening to you, yes you may have been responsible. However, it’s not being done TO you. It’s being done FOR you. What is God trying to do in your life? Remind yourself that even in your momentary defeat, you are still victorious with Christ. #ActLikeYouKnow 2) Memorialize other breakthrough events. This is not the first time you’ve been down and out. Nor will it be the last. How did God make a way for you last time? Same God back then. Same God right now. 3) Continue to press towards the mark. The reason you and I are here and still here is because everyday God is molding us and shaping us into the image of His Son. There’s a mark that we have yet to hit, and He will continue to strengthen us through experiences and challenges until we grow and develop into the Christian He has called us to be. There’s only one thing we have to do. We must make a conscious decision to stay in the ring. The second you step out, you forfeit everything that has gone into making you who God has predestined you to be. Don’t lose hope! You will get there. Commit to the fight! He is WITH YOU!!! #FinishItGod