goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Bumpy Ride

By Linda Tancs

“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride” is a popular misquote from the 1950 film All About Eve. The line actually referred to a “bumpy night” rather than a ride, but the gist of it is that turbulent times were coming. We all know what it’s like to fasten our seatbelts, so to speak. The apostle James reminds us that in our trouble we should be joyful because it tries our faith and builds patience (James 1:2-4). When the way gets bumpy, strap on the seatbelt of endurance and enjoy the ride, knowing that God will deliver you from your trials.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion

Humble Perseverance

By Linda Tancs

A hallmark of perseverance is endurance, or steadfastness. Perseverance is an admirable quality. We’re encouraged to endure in many ways—in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13), in accepting the trials of life (James 1:2-4), in prayer (Romans 12:12). So it may seem counterintuitive to think of humility as an aspect of perseverance. But perseverance requires humility to obtain the desired result. Consider a tree that is unable to bend in a hurricane; it may end up uprooted. However, a tree that can yield is likely to survive. Steadfastness can lead to arrogance and, ultimately, a fall if it isn’t coupled with the humility to recognize that our strength and determination is a gift from God and not ours alone. Acknowledge Him for the capacity that He gives you to endure (1 Peter 5:6-7) .

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Failing Forward

By Linda Tancs

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author and pastor who has written many books on leadership. He exhorts his readers to “fail forward.” Failing forward means, in essence, to learn from your mistakes. Do you learn from your failings or define yourself by them? Do you break down or break through? (See, e.g., James 1:2-4; Psalm 145:14). How you react to failure is like the difference between being “thrown under the bus” and driving the bus.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Enjoy the Ride

By Linda Tancs

There’s a poster that reads “enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.” For some, it may seem impossible to enjoy the present moment. Maybe you’re having a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual challenge that renders a sentiment like that meaningless to you. But here’s the catch: if you cry and lament your way through your present circumstances, then when you’ve “arrived” at your breakthrough you’ve really only escaped what came before and won’t truly enjoy where you ended up. It’s the patient endurance of the journey that reaps a genuine harvest (James 1:2-4). You might need a seat belt, but enjoy the ride.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.