7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith… 10In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11All power to him forever! Amen. 1 Peter 5-9a-11 (NLT)
No one believes we should be picking berries and Gerber daisies all day long. Of course because we live in a fallen world, things are not easy or perfect and they simply won’t be until Christ returns. Meanwhile, those of us who are here must realize that there is definitely a great deal of work to do. Nevertheless, God’s will for our life is not based upon some long list of arduous tasks and rituals. When you choose to live a godly life it’s not something that ought to bring you grief. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3 (KJV) What motivates you to keep going and to keep pursuing righteous living in the face of opposition? For me and for many others, “… the joy of the LORD is our strength.” I believe it is that joy that brings us to a place of personal contentment, even if it seems so many others choose not to follow the same path.
Your choice to live holy is contrary to everything this world has to offer. Although the world resists the ways of God and laughs at your beliefs, take heart, your suffering is nothing new. …Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:9b (NLT) When faced with opposing forces on an everyday basis, the fight can sometimes wear you down, especially if you attempt to fight in your own strength. Challenges will come, so stay alert as you seek to live a life of righteous pursuits. The one thing to remember is that you are not alone in your desire to live right before God. It’s hard sometimes to find people who really seem determined to live for God. Many may say so, but you later find that they too seem to love the world more than they love God. But you have chosen to live for Christ; for you, there is no turning back. Draw near to God and the people of God, and you will find greater strength and protection. God will most certainly honor your commitment and see you through until the end.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 
This is great, Liz! And, it’s one of those times where God is telling me same things from 2 different places. Someone at our church talked about this yesterday! He talked about how herds protect one another (He had just been on safari in Africa and seen many animals that live in herds). When the animals went off alone, they were vulnerable for attack. He talked about how we, as God’s people, are meant to live in community. We offer support, encouragement and protection for each other. If we go off alone, that is when the enemy can attack us and overtake us most easily. I know this is true! I pray that all who read this will be encouraged to really press in with a community of believers and become part of the body of Christ!
I am also reminded of Elijah when he thought he was discouraged and thought he was the only one left following God. God Himself reminded Elijah that he wasn’t and sent him to connect with other believers.
Thank you for this! I am thankful to be connected with you 🙂
Yours in Christ,
Natalie
Hey Natalie,
I am in awe of the ways I see God working through so many in the body of Christ. God shows Himself one way through you and He shows Himself in a completely different and unique way through someone else. How awesome is our God? He has everyone of us interconnected in a way that together we all win and function well. John 13:53 says,”Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” The world can’t operate in His love because the world cannot truly comprehend the love of God at work in the hearts of His people. It is that love that creates the oneness we have in Him. Indeed I too am thankful to be connected in Christ with you.