pageA31CORNERSTONES5. If You Fall, Ask God to Forgive You and Purify Your Heart andDesires. Only God can forgive you, restore your joy, and fill you with the rightdesires (see Psalm 51:7-15, page 488).6. Keep an Eternal Perspective. Don’t waste your time chasing after earthlypleasures (see 2 Peter 3:10-11, page 1140).7. Live to Please God. Surrendering your life to the leading of the HolySpirit is the only way to live a life that is pleasing to God (see Romans 8:5-8,page 1010).There will be times in your Christian walk when you will feel emotionally“down.” You may think that God has forgotten about you. Or you might becomediscouraged as you see others who have professed faith in Jesus Christ loseinterest in spiritual things and fall away. You may begin to wonder whether youare next on the devil’s “hit list.” But God will not allow you to be hit with morethan you can handle spiritually. In fact, it is during times of trouble that you willactually be strengthened, not weakened.As you read your Bible, you will come across words like endurance andperseverance. These words are often used when the Bible compares theChristian life to a race. The race referred to is a marathon, not a fifty-yard dash.Because the Christian life is a long-distance run, you need to pace yourself, topersevere, and most of all, to finish the race. Look up the following passagesthat describe how and why you need to persevere through the inevitablestruggles of life.1. Perseverance Produces Results. As you steadily grow in yourunderstanding of God’s Word and apply it to your life, you will win others tothe Lord (see Luke 8:15, page 910).2. Life’s Trials Will Make You Stronger. You shouldn’t view difficulties asobstacles to your faith but as opportunities for spiritual growth (see James1:2-4, page 1126).3. Christ Endured Great Pain for Us. Jesus modeled the ultimate inendurance so that we would be encouraged to keep our faith strong in therace of life (see Hebrews 12:1-3, page 1120).4. God Honors Those Who Persevere. A wholehearted commitment toGod will enable you to “finish well” with your faith intact (see Joshua 14:6-14,page 198).
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