Get a Grip

Have you ever felt life was so overwhelming that you were losing control? A well-meaning friend may have said, “Get a grip!” 

It’s a way of saying, “Come back to your senses, don’t give up, make a decision, and move on!” Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint, a race of spiritual endurance over the long haul.                             

This Endurance Race has guidelines. Hebrews 12:1-3 lists three things we need to do:

1.    Throw off anything that would hinder us

2.    Fix our eyes on Jesus

3.    Don’t grow weary and give up 

Jesus, in verse 2, is our example. It says He endured the cross while:

1.    Keeping in mind the joy awaiting Him,

2.    Despising the shame, and

3.    Disregarding hostility from sinful people 

When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” it was an invitation to deny ourselves and do His will moment by moment (Mark 8:34-38). It’s another way we can say, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”. 

Let’s consider ice skaters and football players. Do you think they enjoy hours and hours of physical hardship and repeated practice to build up their endurance? Hebrews 12:11 says no discipline is enjoyable while it’s happening. It’s painful! 

But consistent discipline will pay off. They will be tested, and winners will be rewarded with a title, a trophy, a medal, or an honorary ring. 

It’s hard to imagine that winners in Roman games were rewarded with a laurel crown. You’ve probably seen pictures of that. At the time of presentation, it was a nice ring of beautiful green leaves. While it was green, their honor was visible, but it would not stay green forever. 

Our reward, however, is eternal. It’s worth enduring hardships and discipline because it will last forever. Paul believed that. Here’s his testimony in his latter days (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

·         I have fought the good fight

·         I have finished the race

·         I have kept the faith

·         I’ll receive a crown of righteousness

·         From the Lord, the Righteous Judge 

So, get a grip! Do not become weary in well doing; keep pressing on (Galatians 6:9). Look to Jesus for help. He’s the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Pixabay: Excess, Weary, Enough; geralt.