1 Timothy 4:10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God. 

Hope provides tremendous motivation for perseverance. Help me to appreciate the “hope” that I have in Christ, O Father. 

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

No matter the issue, good or bad, we trust ourselves to God, who grants us mercy, showers us with grace, and provides for our every need as we wait for eternal life with our Father.

1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great. 

True godliness does not come from trying harder or human effort; it is the work of grace by the Holy Spirit at work in us. In short, it is a mystery. 

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

There were times that even Paul wanted to give up his life. But later, in time, he recognized that this had happened “that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God.” When I go through nearly impossible times, ii should be aware that God is drawing me close; not pushing me away.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves.

“If I am delayed” … Paul lived with a measure of uncertainty, fully trusting God to direct his steps and timing. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

Isn’t it interesting that right after Paul tells the church to remain firm, he immediately reminds them to do everything in love. Clearly, I am not the only one who struggles to be on guard, firm, strong, and courageous while being loving at the same time.

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.

Teach me to pray, dear Lord!

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

We all have a “because” and yet, we all are who we are by the grace of God. May I always be willing to accept the Lord’s grace in spite of who I was…in spite of my “because.”

1 Timothy 1:19 …holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

Help me to cling to my faith, dear Lord!

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Nothing that the Lord does is out of disorder. May I be reminded that when things seem to be out of control, our God is a God of peace.