by Tonja Taylor 
1 Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.--Hebrews 12:1,2 AMPC
OK, let's get real: Being a true Believer and Follower (meaning disciple; "disciplined one") of Jesus Christ can be hard work. But it's so worth it!
There is an enemy, but Jesus did defeat him forever at the cross. However, if a Believer doesn't know that, it can be a real circus, not to mention crushing time of condemnation, realizing this and getting the victory.
From the time I received Christ as my Savior and LORD when I was 9 (which was about 45 years ago!), I have been covered by the Blood of Jesus the Lamb. Praise God! I am sure I'd be dead and in hell many years before now, if He hadn't arranged for me to be in Vacation Bible School that summer, at the little rural Baptist church!
He gives us strength and blesses us with peace (Psalm 29:11). God is a good, good, good, good God!
He is our Father, once we choose to believe that Christ chose to give His life for us on the cross and shed His pure blood so we could be forgiven forever of all our wrongs!
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.—John 1:12, AMPC
As one well-known pastor stated, if God didn't love us and want to help us, He would have just done...nothing! We would have all wound up in hell--literally!
14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], 15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.--John 3:14-17, AMPC
So there are certainly ways to get victory in your life, and have a life full of abundance, peace, joy, and freedom. I'm finally living this life--after many decades of struggle, frustration, anger, bitterness, confusion, strife, condemnation, and more.
The main problem is the lack of understanding of the love of God. That is the core, to me. After that is not understanding the power of our words, which come from our thoughts.
One of the best parts of being a Christian--and the hardest, in one way!--is that, once Jesus comes into your heart, then He will start revealing to you the difference between the Truth of God and the lies of the enemy (the latter being how the world system operates). When God is leading you (and He leads; He never drives! He is the gentle, wise, Good Shepherd (Psalm 23), you will have peace. God never leads by fear nor force. (That is the enemy's and the world's way of manipulating people.)
God loves you and only wants the best for you. Even if it seems like something you really wanted to happen did not work out, you can be assured that your loving Heavenly Father Who gave Jesus His only Son for you--even while you were blatantly sinning against Him (Romans 5:8)--sees the entirety of your life all at once, and has already gone ahead of you to make things work out for your good (Ephesians 2:10)! Hallelujah!
The way to understand the love of God is to first, of course, receive Christ Jesus as your Savior and LORD. His Spirit will come into your heart and start helping you to love God and desire to please Him. He will help you ask Him to help you understand how to be a true Christian as you read and hear the Word of God. As you do this, you will grow in the understanding of God your heavenly Father's ways. He will show you things you need to correct, and He will often encourage you and remind you of His love and faithfulness.
It is the goodness--the love--of God that leads us to repentance.
Here's a secret to victory: the enemy hates God, and God is always and forever worthy of our thanksgiving and praise. He lives in our praise and draws near (Psalm 100). When we thank the LORD, it draws our God near, and the enemy (who is the troublemaker) runs away, because he's so jealous of Jesus! Ha!
Our dear Father God has emotions, like we do. He loves to be thanked and loved on--but He is perfect and His love never changes, whether we love and thank Him or not! Praise Him! However, when we love and thank God, those actions work with His Holy Spirit to heal our souls!
There is more I could say. Bottom line is cultivating a loving, thankful relationship with God through prayer (which is not complaining!), listening to Bible-based teaching and preaching, and reading His Word daily. Also, as you understand His instruction in life, you will have more peace and things will go smoother. Also, repenting (apologizing and not doing wrong things anymore), is a biggie, as He reveals to you what you need to repent of. He doesn't do that to make you feel bad. Like any loving parent, He points out what is wrong and helps you to stop doing it, so you and those you affect can have better lives!
He is good, and all good, and only good. You can trust Him to show you the way and help you do it (Proverbs 3:5-6)!
So draw closer to Him today, and you will be more victorious! Then the stronger you get, keep doing those things. Don't let them go. Don't take a vacation--and be glad that your loving Daddy God never slumbers nor sleeps, nor grows tired nor weary. He watches over you 24/7, and always will!
If you like, pray this prayer and that will help activate a deeper, more victorious Christian life for you (which doesn't come overnight, but which DOES COME as you walk with Him)!
So, Father, we thank and praise You for Your faithfulness, and worship You. You are truly awesome; the awesome God! There is none like You! Blessed are we whom You train in Your ways! Help us every day to grow more like Your Son Jesus! Thank You, and amen!
Tonja K. Taylor is a joyful, free worshiper, teacher, author, wife, and mother who adores helping others know the sweet faithfulness of God. Through her YouTube channel, "River Rain Creative" and other platforms, she tutors people around the world in faith, worship, writing, English, and more.
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