(2 Tim 2:3) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Let me ask you a question and answer me honestly. Are you enduring or avoiding the hardship in your life? Do you tend to gripe and complain when trouble comes, or do you grin and bear it? Are you a good soldier of Jesus Christ, or are you a little spoiled and playing with toy soldiers? In other words, are you a softie?
I like John the Baptist. He was a tough cookie. He was out there at the Jordan River baptizing and preaching like thunder a message of repentance. He survived on locusts and wild honey. Even Jesus had this to say regarding him: (Luke 7:25) "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts. What a great ministry he had. And then he was imprisoned and beheaded, as we know. (Heb 11:38) of whom the world was not worthy . . .
One time the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Louie, I’m going to make you as tough as nails!” I guess I was pretty soft at the time. I knew what the Lord was trying to say. You see, I had been resisting trials in my life. And now the Lord was telling me to give in and let patience have its perfect work (Jms 1:4). To stop bucking and start trusting. This was new for me. I finally began to relinquish control. And the result? The tough times started making me tough! And all this was preparing me for the future He had for me. God wanted a warrior and not a wimp.
God has an awesome plan for us, but will we be ready? What constitutes preparedness? Being tough as nails! So, if you’re a softie, then it’s time to stop being spoiled and get out there on the battlefield like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. You won’t fail when you’re as tough as nails!
(Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Louie