“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”   James 1:4 KJV

          For many years, things were working for my good, even when I couldn’t recognize it. I was complaining a little bit because things were right; I felt that I could endure the light afflictions.  When challenging times arise, we tend to retreat because we’re overwhelmed, or at least I did.  I kicked, screamed (silently), and even blamed others instead of embracing what was before me and being willing to endure the process like a good soldier.

The Word lets us know that as God has begun a good work in each of us, we must be willing to endure the process for His sake.  If you’re one who likes to bake, you know that to get the item you desire, you must have the proper ingredients, follow the recipe, and wait for it to bake under the right heat. That process reminds me of how we must endure as good soldiers.

God has placed on the inside of each of us all that we need to succeed; we must activate it with guidance from the Holy Spirit and endure until the end.  You have what it takes, stop discounting yourself.  Be emPOWERed by the Word today and make a difference.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”     Philippians 1:6

from “emPOWERed By the Word”  by Valerie Burrell