“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Nothing becomes great until it overcomes something. Paul writes, “For a great … door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). Great doors of opportunity come with great challenges, and those challenges will stretch your faith. If outstanding success came easy, everybody would have it. But if everybody had it, then it wouldn’t be an outstanding success. How does a caterpillar develop into a butterfly? By overcoming the cocoon. Would it be easier to stay in the comfort of the cocoon? Some days the struggle is so great that the caterpillar probably thinks so. But the price of freedom, flight, and discovery, is struggle, development, and breakthrough. There is no other way. Why did Jesus send His disciples into the storm on the Sea of Galilee? To teach them to trust Him in every situation of life. Soon He’d be leaving them, so He used different experiences to equip them for the future. What are you trying to overcome today? Instead of complaining about it, or asking God to take it away, try to see it as preparation for the thing He has called you to do.
Internalize these Scriptures:
- “Blessed is the man who endures temptation” (James 1:12).
- “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life” (Revelation 2:7).
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
- “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
- “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
Today you’re called to be an overcomer.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to not give up but to overcome the challenges ahead of me knowing You are with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
