FACING LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITH COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE
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Are you weary from the upstream swim of your Christian journey? Are you overcome by a spiritual walk replete with difficulties, obstacles, temptations?
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
God calls us to swim upstream… to swim against the strong current of society. Jesus lived in a counter cultural way, boldly opposing societal norms and standing for God and the truth. We are not to be swept downstream, swayed by the ways of the world. We are to persevere through life’s challenges by the power of His Spirit.
One of God’s amazing creations – the salmon – endures a formidable upstream swim migrating to its spawning grounds. Its untiring perseverance and dedication to its life’s purpose are inspiring. We can draw analogies to our own Christian walk from the salmon’s upstream journey.
The salmon’s life begins in the clear pools at the river’s headwaters. It hatches from an egg and grows in this peaceful habitat. Depending on the species, the young fish will live here and develop until a year or so of age before migrating to the ocean.
The salmon then makes the miles-long journey down the freshwater river, undergoing key biological changes along the way. Its cryptic coloring changes into a characteristic silvery appearance. Its saltwater tolerance increases. It gathers a sensory memory bank of its native stream’s scents. Like an inner compass, this bank of memories will one day guide it back to the exact river to spawn.
The salmon spends most of its life in the ocean, often swimming thousands of miles to feeding grounds over its lifetime. It innately navigates the waters using the earth’s magnetic field to steer its course. When the time comes to spawn, the salmon follows its inner compass to its home stream.
As Christians, we have an inner compass that guides us along in life… the Holy Spirit. Jesus is always with us through His Spirit. Wisdom… counsel… direction… courage… power all come from Him. When we tap into this resource, we are equipped to face life’s many challenges.
On the salmon’s arduous journey swimming upstream to its spawning pools, it encounters challenges similar to those believers face on their Christian journey…
Obstacles – Logs and boulders can block the salmon’s path upstream.
⇒ Believers come up against many obstacles in life… setbacks, disappointments, sorrows, adversities, rejections. All seemingly impassable if we look only to ourselves or others. Yet we keep our eyes on the Lord instead of the hardships that block our way. He will guide us safely through. Obstacles are opportunities to draw closer to Jesus as we lean trustingly on Him.
Predators – Bears and eagles find the salmon to be easy prey as it migrates upstream.
⇒ Believers face a daily battle against the evils of the world. We fight against a world in opposition to God. A world ruled by the enemy. A world teeming with untruths and false beliefs to which we can fall prey. Yet we stand on God’s truth like lights in the darkness. We resist evil and the enemy’s influence by the Spirit’s power.
Turbulent Rivers – The salmon must contend with strong currents, waterfalls and storm flow.
⇒ Believers face life’s turbulent storms… circumstances and events that can knock us down in life. Too easily we can be overcome. Yet our Lord will be with us in these difficult times as we brave the troubled waters. He is a master at calming storms. The tempests in our lives will build endurance and teach us to persevere in trying times.
Wrong Streams – The salmon can stray off course up incorrect side streams.
⇒ Believers encounter enticements that can lead them astray. In a world where temptation abounds, we have our inner compass, the Spirit of Christ. Through His presence, we gain wisdom and discernment to find the right path for our upstream swim. He will fortify our faith to withstand the allure of the world’s ways.
Pollution – Poor water quality can adversely affect the salmon’s health.
⇒ Believers face the pollution of societal morals and values that directly oppose God and His Word. These can threaten our spiritual health… and taint and cloud our thinking. Ours is a world where God’s truth is often replaced by man’s lies and deceptions. Yet we are called to be steadfast and courageous… to live out God’s truth, His ways and His values with uncompromising dedication.
At journey’s end, the salmon is rewarded with peaceful pools at the headwaters where it can safely spawn. Here, its offspring will have the best chances for survival. This is its life’s purpose. The salmon has pursued it with dedication and tenacity. It has given this mission its all. It has overcome the countless challenges that have come against it on its upstream migration.
God gives to each of us a life mission according to our unique gifts and talents. When we discover this purpose for living, we are to pursue it with wholehearted commitment, fortitude and passion. God will reward us for enduring to the end.
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” – Psalm 16:8
When we meet upon challenges along our Christian journey, we remember that every trial that comes our way is sifted through the hands of the Almighty. His thoughts of endless love toward us and His strategic plans for our lives are always for our utmost good.
Swimming downstream may be the easy way… yet it is not God’s way. If we are in God’s will, we will face trials. Yet we swim with perseverance against the current of society. We live counter to the culture of our day with boldness and courage. As disciples of Jesus, we learn to walk in His ways. We cultivate an overcoming faith to face a world in opposition to Him and His people.
