Moving Forward

Everyone has faced defeat. It's a moment in life when our emotions cloud our vision of the future. We might feel like failures and question the purpose of it all. This is exactly how Jerusalem felt in 2 Kings 25-26. (Take a moment to read through that passage.) God had turned away from the leaders due to their wickedness, and as a result, the leaders of Jerusalem were overpowered by Babylonian soldiers, leaving the survivors with no choice but to flee to Egypt. Defeated.

When God imparts a lesson, we may initially feel defeated. Our pride takes a hit, and our emotions become turbulent. We might experience anger and a tendency to blame others. However, when we realize our mistake, hope seems distant. God often uses others to guide us, yet we might mistakenly find fault with those He chooses to help us. In these moments, we may seek solitude, feeling small beside an infinite God. It's crucial to remember that God is always in control, and He reminds us of His authority. He cares about us, which is why He sets us straight, helping us grow to be more like Christ and mature in our faith.

Something that naturally curves, like a tire, is not easily straightened. Its design is meant for rolling, and the curves enhance this efficiency. Similarly, as humans, our instincts often drive us to satisfy our desires—we may lie, cheat, steal, and protect ourselves. However, God's way is different from our natural inclinations. In John 3, He tells us that He came to save the world, not to condemn it. (Read John 3: 1-21) By choosing God daily, we commit to becoming more Christ-like. We must turn away from the darkness that easily entices us and choose the light. This journey begins with knowing God, then loving Him, and ultimately seeking to deepen our relationship with Him. Without a relationship, we lack the endurance to serve someone we don't love. If you love Him but struggle to do better, it means you need to know Him more. The steps are straightforward: choose God, and He will draw close to you, transforming your mindset one trial at a time. Remember, you must choose God; you cannot live in sin and love God simultaneously. God's nature is love, pure and good. All that is good comes from Him; therefore, if you belong to God, you will not intentionally act against His nature. This doesn't mean that becoming saved makes you perfect—only Jesus is perfect. It means you cannot straddle the line between good and evil if you are walking closely with God.

The greatest news is that in times of defeat, we can confidently turn to God for hope amidst the darkness. When emotions overwhelm us, we can pour out our souls in prayer, knowing He hears us. He loves us and desires the best for us. This is why we must choose Him daily, not out of mere discipline or self-control, but out of genuine love and devotion. Alone, we achieve nothing. (Read Philippians 3:12-21) We are not meant to linger in defeat but to learn from it and move forward, without looking back. We are called to advance in faith, placing our burdens and troubles at His feet, and leaving them there. Our focus should be on the character we aspire to become, not on who we are at our weakest. In our weakness, He strengthens us through the hope of what lies ahead. Faith is the assurance in what is unseen, believing that God is good and desires the best for us. Even through trials and lessons, we must not lose hope, for even in life's meltdowns and weakest moments, God is with us. (Hebrews 13:5)

From an outside perspective, moving on from a tough lesson and giving up can appear similar. However, when we move past a problem, we release our worries and turn to God, which fills us with peace and reassurance. Although waiting and giving up might both result in halting a plan, the mindset is distinct. Giving up leaves us with unanswered questions and confusion, along with countless possibilities of what might have been. Walking with God daily and waiting is never easy, nor is it instinctive to love without judgment or to help without turning away. Seeking advice or admitting our mistakes doesn't come naturally. It takes humility to align our lives with God's will, and growing in maturity in Christ is challenging. This is where God's strength plays a crucial role, providing us with a loving heart, the courage to admit our mistakes, to help others, and to love our enemies. Taking responsibility to maintain peace and the list is never ending. Every trial we face strengthens our reliance on God, molding us to become more like Him and enhancing our Christ-like qualities. Embrace the moments of correction, the waiting, and the solitude with God, for they signify His intention to draw you nearer. Take pride in emerging from a trial, knowing that with God, the other side of the tunnel is filled with light. Philippians 3:14

Wrote by Hannah Austin

5/26/25 @ 11:13 AM