Persevere

On my facebook, I get inspirational quotes every day from different people.  I did this at the request of my wife because she said it helps keep one looking on the bright side of things.  She was right.   

I came across this quote by Bruce Lee, “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.”

I thought this quote was pretty inspiring, so I looked for more like it. I found the following by Episcopal Bishop Phillips Brooks.

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.”

This all struck a chord with me because I think, deep down, I’m expecting to have an easy life.  I’m a decent person, why not?  But it’s not always like that.  Life has its ups and downs and often times, at least in my case, the downs are more extreme than the ups.  So why would I expect an easy life?  There are no biblical references stating that we, as people, would have an easy life.  There’s nothing saying that once Christianity is attained or accepted life would be simpler.

However, there is a great deal examples of God comforting his chosen vessels and his chosen people.  Jesus told those he was teaching (John 16:33) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  The last part, in my opinion, is where the comfort comes in. 

God has promised to be with us.  That doesn’t me he’ll smite our enemies or make us rich, but perhaps he will give us what we need.  Maybe help us find opportunities.  At least give us the mental strength to carry on.  From a non-religious stand point, the belief in something bigger than ourselves, whatever God or Diety, seems to help those that believe.  Just faith helps.  There’s a lot of faith shown in the book of Psalms.  

Psalms 46: 1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,”

Psalms 23:4  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 138:7  “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.  You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.”

A lot of trouble expressed in these verses but a lot of faith and courage as well. 

It’s funny.  I started writing this in the morning and then stopped for a while to take care of a few things and now, here I am, the next morning, finishing up.  In the span of time that I was absent, I actually went through a little hard time of my own.  Started asking the regular pouty questions in my mind.  “Why me?”  “why don’t I ever catch a break.” Then, it was like my own words from that morning coming back to me.  An easy life isn’t promised.  But he’s there with you.

This whole experience as shown me a new light on one of the most often used bible verses.  Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Up until now I’ve always taken that as merely an encouraging statement given to the Phillipian church to keep them going.  The bible is full of vague speech and metaphorical language that I just thought this was a nice metaphorical verse.  I remember when I was little thinking this was literal.  I actually prayed for the ability to fly.  Imagine my disappointment…lol.  But I look at that verse now.  And I look at psalms and I look at just things that have happened in my life and now I think I was wrong both times.  That’s not what this verse means.

The bible says a righteous man will fall down seven times and seven times get back up.  Confucius said “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  All these verses and all these sayings mean that as long as I have my faith, I can get through anything.  Not DO anything.  Persevere.