I’ve been having a really tough time this year just being excited about anything. Obviously, I have excitement over reading, but I don’t think anything could shake that in my life. Jesus and reading are essential to my life.

I used to love the Christmas season. I would plan very far in advance for gifts and decorations. Everything.

Family problems tend to exacerbate all of my internal emotions and lack of cheer. It makes me not want to try anymore when no one is there to encourage me or motivate me. It’s very bahhum bug of me, I suppose, but you know deep down I still love Christmas because that’s all I’m reading about in fiction right now.

I woke up feeling discouraged for the day ahead. Plans with some great friends and their family were laid out and I need that. I know I do. Still, I was discouraged because I didn’t want to wake up.

I was pushed toward opening up the Bible for my daily reading by the Spirit (that’s the only logical thing, because I probably wouldn’t have on my own, let’s be real). What did I find?

Just what I needed. God is Good like that.

I’m going to insert this whole passage of 2 Timothy 2:1-13 here, but feel free to open up your own Bible and read further.

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him, we will also live with him.

If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.

If we deny him, he will deny us.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

2 Timothy 2:1-13 NLT

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy for encouragement to keep going, enduring all suffering for the sake of Christ. Paul was in his second imprisonment. Where was Timothy? I don’t know if we know exactly where he was at this time, but he wasn’t in prison, I’m sure.

It’s encouraging to Timothy because Paul has already gone through so much. They’re working together to spread the Good News. Without Paul physically there with Timothy, he could have been distracted or gone astray. These words are what he needed to have and God inspired Paul to write this. Today these words are still an encouragement to all those going through trials.

Paul advises to lean on the grace that Jesus gives us so that we may be strong in Him. It’s not our own strength that will get us through this, but God’s mighty hand guiding us and helping us stand up.

It’s a fact that we will endure suffering. Paul reiterates that here in the passage. Endure suffering along with me, he wrote. It’s hard to see faith grow and be refined without the suffering, even though the suffering we, by instinct, want to run away from.

The Lord is our Helper. When we need Him, He is there. He helps us understand things and He guides us where we need to go. If we follow His lead, reading and growing in the likeness of His character, I think there’s no limit to what He can do through us.

Remember. In my (long) season of looking back at the good ole days and memories that slip further and further back in time, how many times do I sit and just think about what God has done in my life? I can see God in all of it, but do I just remember those or do I sit and think about what I lost in that same moment? Remember what God has done. Remember that Jesus is King – that He was born of a virgin, born and raised as a man, born and raised the Son of God, died on the cross for us, and then rose again in three days! Hallelujah for that. We can remember these things and look ahead to His promise that’s a sure thing, that He will return and His kingdom will be eternally established.

Be willing to endure anything that will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. We won’t always be here, but while we are, suffering is something that will happen to us. It’s hard for us as humans to even remotely come close to God’s view of our lives and what this suffering will be for us at the end. Our part is just to keep going. Keep growing. Keep watering the seeds. Trusting that God has a plan through this and that it won’t last forever is an added layer of our faith. We must endure til the end.

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So, second Timothy is just what I needed this weekend. There’s so much more in this book of the Bible that resonates in our circumstances, but this one stuck out at the right moment for me.

I hope you, too, found encouragement to keep going for the sake of Christ and the work that is yet to be done.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

For you, O God, have heard my vows;

you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Prolong the life of the king;

may his years endure to all generations!

May he be enthroned forever before God;

appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

Psalm 61 ESV