goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Tough Going

By Linda Tancs

You may be familiar with the expression, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It’s been attributed to various people, like the father of President John F. Kennedy and football great Knute Rockne. The biblical equivalent would probably be something like Joshua 1:9, which admonishes us to be strong and of good courage to meet the challenges ahead of us. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. You might be feeling more like “When the going gets tough, the weak will shrink.” Don’t be hard on yourself. Isaiah 40:29 promises that He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. You were built tough, as an old car slogan reminds us. Now get going.

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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, Theology

Who, Me?

By Linda Tancs

“I’m not up to the task.” How often have you felt unworthy or unfit for a task? At least once, no doubt. We often shrink with fear when faced with an assignment that we perceive will test our limits—physically, mentally, emotionally or socially. During those times it’s good to remember how ordinary folks in the Bible were used by God to accomplish extraordinary things. Consider the prophet Jeremiah, called by God at a young age to minister to a nation; he thought he was way too young and inexperienced to be effective (Jeremiah 1:4-8). Mary pondered how she, a virgin, could become mother to our Savior (Luke 1:34). Moses felt inadequate to the task of demanding Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery (Exodus 3:11). Jonah was so intimated by God’s call for him to witness at Nineveh that he fled on a ship (Jonah 1:2-3). Gideon thought himself too lowly of a man to deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:11-16).

You get the picture. Yet in each case, God didn’t expect his draft picks to act alone. He promised to be with them. And so it is with us. He’s present in every task, duty, charge, assignment or obligation (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20). Because of that, you can accomplish anything with the strength that He gives you (Philippians 4:13).

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Faith in Action

By Linda Tancs

Pablo Picasso once said that action is the foundational key to all success. Although it’s understandable that one must make a move toward something to learn and grow, the underpinning of all action must be faith. Action for the sake of action is a haphazard way of living. It isn’t purposeful. As the Bible reminds us, God works for the good of those who love him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Do you try to discern God’s purpose for your life? Many people question how they would know it. In our worldly existence it often manifests as a “gut feeling,” an inner knowing of the proper course, particularly if that feeling brings God-given gifts of inner peace, encouragement and confidence (Philippians 4:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 40:31). Do you need to adjust your inner compass? Ask the Holy Spirit, your counselor and helper, to guide you (John 14:26).