Encouragement for Today- September 14, 2020

September 14, 2020 Help for the Faithful Finish SHALA W. GRAHAM Lee en español “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) Every night, I seem to dream nonstop. Some dreams are in the first person, and in others, I’m observing. Some dreams repeat, and some dreams pick up where a previous one left off — those might be my favorite. Some dreams I easily remember, and others I quickly forget. My dreams are often vivid and detailed, complete with the senses of touch and smell. The other night, I dreamed that crowds of people of all different shapes and sizes ran up a road to get to the top. But the black paved road seemed like a 90-degree wall. If you didn’t hit it running with full momentum, you would get stuck. As I began to tackle this obstacle, people ahead of me slowed down or stopped, leaving me holding on to this road for dear life. People began passing me. I tried to climb, but I couldn’t. So, I did the only thing I knew to do. I cried out, “I need help!” Like an angel, a young man appeared and reached over the edge for my hand. He pulled me up and through a large cutout in a white brick wall. He continued to lay on his stomach through that cutout to help more people up. Full of gratitude, I grabbed hold of his feet to give him extra stability as he served. Then he relaxed and sat up. The people after me didn’t need his help like I needed his help. They effortlessly climbed this steep wall of a road and through the white brick hole without assistance. That’s when I felt it. Shame. Insecurity. Worthlessness. Was it just me? Was I the only one who wasn’t strong enough? Was I the only one who needed help accomplishing what everyone else could do on their own? At that moment, God reminded me to run my own race. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing or how you stack up to others. It’s OK to need help. All that matters is you made it! We need to hold on to the goal of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” That’s it! It doesn’t matter what place we finish. It doesn’t matter if someone has to hold us up as we limp across the finish line. We just need to finish and remain faithful. Isn’t it awesome God designed the members of the body of Christ to help one another? As we fight the good fight in a world filled with comparisons and roadblocks, stalled momentum and dangerous cliffs, we can’t be afraid to ask for help when we need it and offer support to others who are struggling. Ultimately, God wants all of His children to be with Him in eternity. He sent Jesus to do the work we could never do. And God gave believers the Holy Spirit, our great Helper, to guide us and strengthen us along the way. God has provided everything we need to finish our faith race well. Father, thank You for working all things together for my good, including those moments when I need to ask for help. Empower me to be humble, to accept my weaknesses and to give to those in need around me. I want to finish the race and remain faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (NLT) RELATED RESOURCES: Let’s face it; this year has felt a little out of control. It seems impossible to keep anxiety, worry and stress from taking up permanent residence in our lives. Now more than ever, we need reminders that God really is in control. Worry might have defined much of your 2020, but let worship define the rest of your year. Written by members of our COMPEL Writers Training, 40 Reminders God is in Control: Devotions to Redirect Your Worry into Worship is FREE with a gift of your choice! Click here to learn more. CONNECT: You can find Shala W. Graham on Instagram for everyday encouragement to courageously chase the calling of Jesus on your life. REFLECT AND RESPOND: Is it hard for you to ask for help? If so, ask God to reveal the lie from the enemy that keeps you from being vulnerable. How can you lean into the body of Christ for support in this season so you can finish faithfully? Let us hear from you! Add your thoughts about today’s devotion in the comments. © 2020 by Shala W. Graham. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 630 Team Rd., Suite 100 Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

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