Everybody wants to be blessed but how many are willing to accept the burdens associated with being lifted up to a higher state? Can FATHER trust you when the challenges come? Are we willing to accept the burdens and have FATHER count on us with whatever is coming forth this year?
Enduring hardships is part of the straight and narrow path. Early morning and late nights may be required as we walk out the blessings we seek. Physical exhaustion is only temporary and a small price to pay for walking in the fullness of our individual callings. In 2 Corinthians chapter 4 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed
Did FATHER know Paul could handle the pressure associated with the revelation of Jesus Christ and his calling to spread the Gospel throughout the known world? Absolutely! Paul understood the cost associated with the blessing. We often want to be promoted to a higher level but can FATHER trust us to walk responsibly at the higher level? Paul further wrote:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We must not lose heart when the burdens seem to outweigh the blessings at any particular time. We must accept the burdens along with the blessings else FATHER would not have raised us up to our current level of responsibility. We must trust FATHER in that HE knows our abilities AND our limitations. HE would not allow us to rise beyond our capacity to deal with the burdens. We must focus on HIM and not the current “light” afflictions. Everyone gets excited about a promotion until the weight of the office is realized. We casually read how Mary was favored by FATHER to birth HIS Son yet how many of us can comprehend the burden she endured when He was on the cross?
You can be sure that as we ascend to a higher Spiritual state there will be opposition. Once Jesus was to begin His public ministry then immediately the adversary came to oppose Him. David was opposed by King Saul. The disciples were opposed by the church leadership. There are examples throughout Scripture of opposition to those whom FATHER has raised up.
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.
Let us be strong in our faith and know that FATHER will not allow any burden too great. Let us each day proclaim “This is the day that THE LORD hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.” FATHER will expand our ministry as we are willing to accept and deal with the burdens and opposition which will surely accompany such blessings. People will ridicule and attack us as we walk according to FATHER’S Plan but do not let their spiteful words deter us from fulfilling FATHER’S Divine Intent for our lives. HE will take care of and remove the opposition in whatever manner HE deems necessary. Let not our enemies deter us from fulfilling our calling but instead walk out each day in Love and gratitude toward FATHER.
Do not be discouraged but persevere through the burdens and they will soon dissipate. The burdens pale in comparison to the blessings!