Encouragement

Hold On

by Brandon Braddy
10/14/23
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James 5: 11 (KJV)
   
   We count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job. Both of these sentences describe the adversity we all face at times as Christians. In the first sentence, We count them happy, we know this word is used in the bible interchangeably with the word blessed, but when we look into the word behind this word, happy, we see that in the ancient text, it carries this meaning which is: to beautify. Now when it says beautify, I do not believe this means that the man, Job, or any one for that matter, will receive some sort of heavenly makeover, because some things cannot be helped, I am only speaking on a personal level, because I have only a head on me that a mother could love, and this is the truth of the matter. And a head that God could love even more. Contrary to popular belief, He did not create me, then say, Oops! Back to the drawing board! Alright angels, let us all reason with each other, put our heads together and try again with him! Seriously though, I believe the word beautify that we get from the word happy in this particular verse in James, has more to do with the inside of us than the outside, because He desires our hearts. The inside has to be right first, we must be made stronger by the hardships, the adversities we go through in this life. Take courage child of God, He may be trying to beautify your heart, to beautify mine, to strengthen us with life's afflictions and struggles. This is not the end unless we allow it to be. For when the heat turns up, the power of the furnace grows fiercer than ever, or more than we can handle, it seems, that is when the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, dives into the fire, and just takes our hand, not to run, but to calmly walk beside us through the difficult times, for we do not walk alone, ever. I remember in second grade at school, I attended the book fair. I was very excited, because even though they gave each of us a very short time to find the one book we desired, they were literally giving away a free book to each of us, And in my seemingly very rushed searching, I found it! The perfect book.. at least in my eyes. The cover looked light brown and old, maybe even antique looking, when I opened the pages they seemed like the least little tug or turn might rip them out of their places. Almost like they were just holding on. And if each page could talk, they might say something like this... Help me! But really, is that not how desperate we are, for the daily graces of of our loving God? We all of us have deep need for Him and His presence in all of our lives. And like the pages of my book, I may still have it saved somewhere, but I know through the years, those pages still held on, maybe desperately it seemed, they almost refused to be ripped out of place. God has a place at His table for everyone who will receive it, and though times grow difficult and troubles come, continue to hold on, refuse to be pulled out of place while following Jesus. For it is in those toughest moments, when we choose to endure, to hold on tightly to our heavenly Father and His promises, instead of giving in to how we feel, how things seem, how hard they are to us, that will produce inside that which is most pleasing to the Father who remains with us, no matter what. Hold on! God is not finished, our stories are not over, and the latter end, closer to that last page will be overflowing with the great things God has prepared for us. In His eyes, you are the perfect book, you may feel hurt or discouraged, but God is the One who makes our pages count for His praise, He increases the strength we need through the valleys of life we face on the outside. Nothing is being wasted. He is preparing us for grander things. We have heard of the patience of Job.