stir thyself up

All of us will face challenges in our lifetime, some people will have challenges everyday. Some of our challenges are the results of our own decisions but most come from the devil. The devil wants our praise, he can't stand it when people give all their attention to his Lord Jesus. The devil must bow at the Name of Jesus, he has to, but we get to. Sometimes we have so many problems that we get overwhelmed and become discouraged. Paul's spiritual son was sent to pastor a dysfunctional church and he did not know if he was up to the task. Paul wrote him a letter of encouragement to help him.

2 Timothy 1:6 I want to remind you Timothy that you stir up the gift of God that is in you.

I read this Scripture many times but I never fully understand it, so I went to my Lord and asked Him to teach it to me. Lord, how do we stir ourselves up? He gave me a simple explanation: Put everything in perspective. From that day on, whenever I was overwhelmed with pressure I just put everything in perspective. I looked at my problem and asked myself if I'd made a mistake or if the devil was trying to put one over on me. When I discerned it was the devil I went to the Word and read where Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. Then I opened the Word to where God blesses the faithful. I was stirring myself up and my confidence in God's Word was changing my attitude.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 I would not have you to be ignorant brethren, concerning then that have died in Christ, that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope.

One of the hardest things to deal with is the death of a loved one. Paul says we can't have sorrow and hope, we will have one or the other. Death is the time to stir thyself up, when a loved one leaves for Heaven we should be happy for them. I am not suggesting we become hard hearted. It's ok to cry because we won't see that person for awhile, but we will see them. I have cried my eyes out at many funerals but I was never filled with sorrow. I was not sad that they went to Heaven. When the Apostle Paul was headed to his execution the disciples wept, not because of his impending death but rather because they would miss his fellowship. Paul made it clear to them that he was ready to be offered, he said to die is gain. When a loved one dies we don't lose them, they just leave town.

Hebrews 13:5 For the Lord has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake (abandon) you.

Sometimes it feels like the whole world is coming against us and we feel all alone. We must stir ourselves up with the promises of Jesus. He said He would never leave nor forsake us, but after He arose from the dead He went back to the Father! But He sent another Comforter, He sent the Holy Ghost and He is with us always. We must conform to the fact that God is within us twenty-four-seven and He never slumbers or sleeps. God will always tell you the truth, He will always put your situation in perspective. Once you have all the pieces you and your Lord can begin to overcome your adversity.

1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you.

Often times when we face adversity, we are consumed with our problem and we forget about the answer that abides within us. We must be prepared at all times to stir ourselves up, we cannot depend on other people because they're not always around when you need them. God wants you to depend on Him, not people. No one loves you like He does and no one can do for you what only He can do. Get into the habit of stirring yourself up anytime you need to.