Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, (1Tim. 6:12)
If everything we desired in life happened instantly, there would be no need for faith. Grace makes all of God’s blessings available, but faith receives them. At times the circumstances or even the enemy’s resistance can hinder that which has been promised. If it happened to Paul, it could happen to you.
Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. (1 Thess. 2:18)
At the end of Paul’s life he declared: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim. 4:7)
Our steadfast faith is the fruit of our steadfast relationship with God. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Joined to Him we can do all things. We only give up because we choose to, not because the circumstances are too hard or the enemy is too big. Circumstances are temporal and the enemy is defeated! You can ‘keep the faith.’
Whatever you may be facing is simply the opportunity for a testimony of victory. Lift up the shield of faith. Stir up the gift that is in you. Declare the victory. Rejoice in the Lord! The Greater One lives in you!
“by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pe 1:4)