Words mean things

As a marketing professional the phrase "words mean things" permeates my world.  

Many phrases linger in my head as I perform my daily tasks, but none is truer than "words mean things".  Power is released through words.  Words have a specific meaning.  Words leave an impression.  Words are transformational.  Just ask any kid who was hurt by a mean girl or lifted up through a sincere compliment delivered in their dark moment. 

Carefully selecting the right word at the right moment is not only magical in marketing it can provide life to those who need it - or curse with death.

From the beginning, it was the spoken word that created every single thing we see today.  God said - and it happened.  His words sparked the very existance of a variety of wonderful, mysterious and amazing creatures as well as the immense natural beauty that surrounds us. Sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, oceans, stars, forests, rivers - all came to be because words were spoken.

Today's words from THE WORD are a reminder to me to "push through" to perseverance and do it with joy.  Trials are only trumped when you push through the darkness. And God is truly glorified if you push through with joy.

James tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Joy in trials...come on now...who does that???

Well in Hebrews 12:1-3 we see that as we become more like Jesus, WE CAN DO THAT!

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Three words stuck out in both of these passages, consider, joy and perseverance. If we CONSIDER what Jesus endured, we can CONSIDER it JOY- pure joy - when we experience any trial - because that trial, when pushed through, will eventually be trumped and develop the PERSEVERANCE we need and keep us from growing weary and losing heart.  

This world is troubling.  You will have trials.  You will fall.  You might fail.  People will disappoint. Jobs will end.  BUT GOD...my two favorite words have the best meaning of all!  If God be for me, who can be against me and if He works all things together for my good, then no matter the challenge, trial, or disappointment I face in this life, God trumps it. 

How can I not push through to perseverance with pure joy? 

His words say I can. 

And His words mean even more than mine! They are magical and majestic full of consideration, perseverance and joy.