These four simple commands will bring you great strength

We all go through rough times. Times when you don’t know where to draw your strength from.

The Apostle Paul was living in his final days in (what is supposed) the Mamertine prison in Rome.  He was awaiting execution.

From that dark place, he wrote his final book of the Bible:  2 Timothy.  The last chapter (in verse 5) contains four powerful commands that strengthen Timothy, the young spiritual son.

Use these four final commands when you need strength to walk forward in a trial:

1.“Keep your head in all situations.”

It’s easy to lose your head in a crisis or a trial.

Your emotions take over.  Your thoughts project terrible things about the future.  You doubt everything you know to be true.

“Keep your head.”  What a command from someone who is facing death in a Roman prison cell.

Jesus is still Lord.  Heaven is still real.  God’s Word is still true.  The Lord is still your Shepherd.

When you lose your head, your thinking becomes foggy.

Talk to yourself and say, “Settle down.  God is for me.  I am His child.  I am not alone in this.  The Holy Spirit is living inside of me.”

2. “Endure hardship.”

Paul went through so many hardships:  shipwrecks, stoning, persecution, beatings, betrayal, robbery, and now false accusation.

I've not been through anything!

I’ve never been in chains in prison.  I’ve never been stoned to death (then raised from the dead!).  

Yes, I may be in hardship.  It does not, however, compare with what Paul endured.

Maintain your sense of humor, even in the most miserable and difficult circumstances.  The joy of the Lord is your strength.

3. “Do the work of an evangelist.”

Even in trouble, never stop witnessing for the Lord.

People everywhere need encouragement and salvation.  

When we go through trouble, we tend to become introspective and forget about other people.

Don’t allow yourself to go into self-pity.

Be sensitive to the spiritual needs of others.  Tell them of all that Christ has done for you.  Encourage them that what He has brought you through, He can bring them through as well.

Don’t let trials shut down your witness.  Paul never stopped witnessing to others, even in the years of imprisonment.

4. “Fulfill your ministry”

God has a purpose for you on this earth.  It is “your ministry.

It may be helping a widow or an orphan.  It may be teaching a children’s Sunday school class.  It may be mentoring at-risk high school students.  It may involve participating in mission trips and construction projects.  It may be leading a small group.

It’s YOUR ministry.

“Fulfill it.”  Fill it full.  Keep doing what you are called to do in the body of Christ.

If you are in a time of deep struggle, try these four commands.

“Keep a clear head.  Endure hardness.  Do the work of an evangelist.  Fulfill your ministry.”

Do these four things, and it’s going to work out for you.