By: Elizabeth Haarberg

How to Overcome

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

God has a plan for our lives. His voice calls us toward the way He wants us to serve and grow.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 English Standard Version

What happens when we experience resistance in that calling? What if someone that was supposed to be “for” us ends up hindering us? I heard a speaker yesterday say not everyone in our corner is for us.

I know that I am called to be a counselor, but I experienced resistance from a professor last night who I thought was “in my corner.” I’m reeling from the comments this morning. Today, I have to decide how to proceed.

God is the one that calls us and He will continue to call us.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 English Standard Version

We should expect resistance in our call from God.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version

In our calling, we need community that can support us. We also should humble ourselves and let the resistance shape us into a more moldable base of clay.

Jesus experienced resistance from so many when He walked the Earth. The Jewish people rejected Him, but even His own followers tried to block His way to the cross.

“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.'”
Matthew 16:21-22 English Standard Version

Stay rooted in the identity that God has given us as a child of God and have Him remind us of our calling. Stay close to God and He will take you through the fire.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado