The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
How does one endure under great duress, pressures, and afflictions? How is one able to run a marathon? How does one learn to continue even though under great pain?
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, 1 Corinthians 9:27a
Under times of comfort and ease the people become soft and untrained in the ways of harsh conditions and persecution. Unless you choose to take a path that is hard and disciplined you may not be ready when the times get tough. There are disciplines for each of the parts of us. For the body is regular physical exercise that builds muscle and endurance. For the mind there are many disciplines that can be employed that help you focus and think critically. For your spirit there are disciplines of fasting and prayer (active meditation and two way communication with the Spirit of God). Unless a person takes control of themselves and sets themselves to grow and mature – the body and flesh will set the person’s agenda. The mind and spirit will be weak and useless to the screams of the flesh. Many addicted suffer under this condition.
In our spirit resides our will. This is the place we make our decisions. Good, bad, right, left, forward, backward… trust, and not to trust. Obviously there are many things that filter into the decision making process. If the flesh is in charge then the decisions go with the immediate desire and or trying to quell the immediate discomfort, or pain. If the mind is in charge then the level of logic that the person has attained will motivate the individual to go in the most advantageous direction for the person. If the spirit is in charge and the person is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and has learned to listen to the Spirit of God then the person will follow the Holy Spirit’s advice and direction. Which path will yield the best result? Depends if your goals are selfish or set by the Spirit of God. God’s path is from His heart and thoughts and is always what is best for you … every time …from His perspective. Most of the time that path is un-understandable to us, as His thoughts are NOT ours. There in is where faith, trust, love, and intimate relationship comes into play. Do we really trust Him? Are we willing to do the seemingly illogical? Are we willing to ignore what our body is screaming at us to do?
This is the war within. This is the spiritual war. This is the next dimensional war.
I heard this statement which I know is correct, “If God is your co-pilot, you’re in the wrong seat.”
So what must we do? Learn HOW He communicates to you personally. How does He enlighten the scriptures to you? How does He give you instruction? How does He point out those things in your life He wants you to deal with and change? If you can’t understand how He speaks to you .. how do you know what He wants you to do? Or is your relationship with Jesus just a set of mental assents for you? Your spirituality is just rules and regulations without real intimacy of relationship. It isn’t real… if you don’t actually hear His Voice in your spirit and mind. How do the demon possessed hear the demons inside of them? So God doesn’t communicate with us in our minds? Does He indwell your body or not? If He does — how is He communicating to you? Do you know how to discern Him in your mind?
You WILL encounter difficult times and situations … possibly unto death. Shouldn’t you learn how He wants you to go through those times with His help? Shouldn’t you be learning that now, today, …when it’s actually easier to focus on Him?
Want to read more on this? Read the whole second chapter of 2 Timothy, and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you of what you need to do.