disappointments Archives

Famous Last Words – Part 2

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Susan Panzica

In Famous Last Words -Part 1, I shared about one of Jesus’s last statements, “Father forgive them”. Today, I share another insight from these same three words.

Christ died for us while we were still sinners, long before we ever repented or asked for forgiveness. He died for those still screaming, “Crucify him!” and He prayed:

“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

But it seems to me that they did know what they were doing, didn’t they? They were calling for His death. What they did not know was WHO they were doing it to, and WHAT His death would accomplish for them.

Is there someone in your life causing you pain? They may not be calling for your execution, but they are hurtful nevertheless. Consider this – that person is giving you an opportunity to develop Christ-likeness that you would not have otherwise.

If we can see the offensive person in our life as Jesus does, and if we can forgive them as He did, we will be freed from the bondage of resentment and bitterness and will become a little more like Jesus. Picture this: that painful person is giving us an incredible, life-changing, eternal opportunity!

I had such a person in my life. For years, this person repeatedly caused me untold anguish and grief. My hurt turned bitterness, and like an invisible tether, I was in bondage to the one who hurt me. It took a long time, but when I began to see that this person was actually a gift from God, my heart began to change. I was freed from the bondage of bitterness. I was able to see that person as God did, to pray unhindered by my resentment. I learned that I could forgive because “they did not know what they were doing.” That person gave me the gift of developing Christ-likeness.

Peter says, “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps… When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:20-23)

Years before Jesus hung on that cross and prayed for his persecutors, He said to the crowd at the Mount of Beatitudes, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.“ (Matt. 5:44) Did He know when He spoke those words that years later, with His dying breath, He would become that example, that He would demonstrate exactly what He was calling us to do?

But how is it possible in our human fraility and sinfulness, can we even begin to see our “enemies” as Jesus does?

The key is to shift perspective, to see the bigger picture. As Paul said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

I pray that if you have a difficult person, you may begin to see them as Jesus does. And in so doing, you will be able to forgive, whether or not they have asked. And you will be able to look in the mirror and see a reflection of the One who made you.

Wise Words For These UNwise Times

Posted on October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 by Susan Panzica

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that today there are many squawkers, complaining about our land, how far it’s come from our founding fathers, etc.

But does God call us to complain or to humbly pray for our leaders, the media, educators, etc., and seek God’s face in the middle of the turmoil?

We do need godly people – in political office, casting votes, on the school boards, writing letters to editors, speaking up for the unborn and the downtrodden, being salt and light. ABSOLUTELY!

But we don’t need good people to do things in a bad way – to militantly declare their positions without humility or prayer or seeking God’s face or turning from their own wicked ways.

It seems that people are more interested in OTHERS turning from their wicked ways then themselves doing any turning.

As the body of Christ living in decidedly ungodly times, we are in a position to be Jesus to the world. We must take our behavioral cues from the One who set the standard to follow.

As a 24 year old Jewish girl, I became a believer in Jesus Christ because of His words in the Sermon on the Mount. When I questioned God about His command to love our enemies, He answered with His own words – “if you only love those who love you, even the (sinners) do that.” The difference between His followers and everyone else He created (yes, He created your enemies!) is that His followers speak the truth IN LOVE, they seek to LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY, they desire to LOVE and SERVE THE LEAST OF THESE.

Can we view these turbulent times as opportunities to personally develop in Christ-likeness? And to outwardly show the world the love of Christ – He who came to save THEM?

After Jesus told His disciples to love their enemies, He told them to “be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But how can we be perfect? James, the brother of Jesus, tells us it is through our trials and challenges that we develop perseverance which, in turn, does its work making us mature, complete, perfect (James 1:2). In other words, trials and challenges are opportunities, and as JB Phillips says in his translation, “Welcome your trials as friends.”

Before we stridently say, “I believe her” or “I believe him,” can we say “I believe Him!” and act accordingly?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt. 5:43-48

A Most Expensive Lesson

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Susan Panzica

There I was, driving along without a care in the world, until flashing lights behind me summoned me to pull over. A ball of resentment started churning in my gut. In the days following, the ball continued to tumble around and began to grow until it demanded focused attention.

I realized I had three particular thoughts that kept me grumbling:

1- Speed trap:

The town had some nerve reducing the speed limit for a short portion of the highway just to pad their pockets at drivers’ expense.

2- Police attitude:

The policeman kept me waiting for over half hour on the side of the road because his computer wasn’t working. When he finally came to my car, I expected that he’d give me a break, but he just gave me a ticket.

3- Everyone else:

I was going the same speed as everyone else on the highway. Why did I get pulled over and not anyone else?

The resentment I was experiencing began to infiltrate my attitude, affecting other areas of my life. So it was time for some self-examination, and what I found wasn’t pretty.

1- Speed trap:

The motive for reduced speed may or may not have anything to do with revenue for the town. It’s just as likely that it was for safety. But honestly, their motive is irrelevant. It’s not up to me to make the laws; it is up to me to obey them. That’s the commitment I made when I got my driver’s license.

Life lesson: I should pay attention to what I’m responsible for and not try to manage the rest of the world. This does NOT mean that I stick my head in the sand and ignore injustices in the world. It means that I exercise discernment – I take action in situations that call for me to speak up for justice, but I don’t try to mange other people’s lives when they really are doing just fine without me.

“…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business…” 1 Thess. 4:11

“Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.” Phil 1:18

2- Attitude:

I was expecting grace from the police officer and was angry when it wasn’t offered. But it’s wrong of me to maintain an expectation of grace from others. The police officer was just doing his job. He could have been nicer, but he was probably annoyed at his technology not working. And his attitude is his problem, not mine.

Life lesson: It’s up to me to appreciate grace when offered, to not grumble when it isn’t, and to offer grace whenever I can.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Phil. 2:3-5

3- Everyone else:

The bottom line is – I was speeding. Just because everyone else was speeding, doesn’t excuse my guilt. There is a legal standard, and I overstepped it. The Bible is my standard in life. Just because others might choose to follow a different standard doesn’t give me an excuse to sin.

Life lesson: I must reap what I sow, and let everyone else reap what they sow. And don’t compare myself to them. Who knows what they might be dealing with in life?

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. . . . And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:7,9

Thankfully, we have a Savior who fulfilled the law, a Savior who freely offers true grace, a Savior who paid the penalty for my guilt.

Can you see clearly?

Posted on May 2, 2018May 2, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Today, I’d like to open with a brief excerpt from my brand new, hot off the press book – a fairy tale called The Quest.

In the story, young Esperanza dreams of a life beyond the dark village where she lives. She encounters Mai-Lyn and Sienna along the way, and the trio embarks on a perilous quest from the village to the magical garden where the King dwells. In one chapter, a knight takes the girls behind a waterfall and asks them what they see as they look out through the flow of rushing water. After trying to picture scenes from their journey, the knight said:

“You each see many things that you’ve seen before. But look again; do you see them clearly?”

The girls squinted, peering out through the cascade of water, looking out to the garden and beyond. They had to agree. Though they could discern the places they’d been, they could not see any of them clearly.

“This is how it is when for those who live in the village. My Father and I created all that you see and were meant to enjoy. But those who dwell across the chasm see a poor reflection of what I intended. The lies and deceptions create a veiled view of what truth is.

“What you think is love is at best a deep friendship, and at worst an exploitive relationship. It differs greatly from the sacrificial love that my Father and I have for you.

“In the village, you feel disappointment because you expect perfection, both in yourself and in others, but nothing can truly be perfect apart from a relationship with my Father and me.”

Mai-Lyn opened her mouth to speak, then quickly shut it.

“You want to be strong and independent, but that can lead to isolation. You were called to be strong within community. There is beauty in being part of something greater than yourself, depending upon those even stronger than yourself, and helping those less fortunate.

“You strive to achieve great things, but you miss the greatest thing—your true worth that comes from my Father, the King.

“Let us go now to meet him.”

In 1 Cor. 13, the famous “love chapter,” Paul describes true love, agape love, thay unconditional, patient, kind, perfect love that the Father has for us, His daughters. And then he says,

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Cor 13:12NLT

So often, when we look at our lives, the people and circumstances that surround us, we think we see it all clearly. But like looking through a waterfall or a reflection in a mirror, what we see is imperfect. Only God with His omniscient vision can see it all clearly. He can see the present and with it – people’s motives, extenuating circumstances, the bigger picture. He can see the future, and consequently, He has no worries about the outcome.

Our only course of action is to fully understand that we don’t know it all, even if we think we do, and to trust the One who does. As Paul says,

We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. . . . But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. V. 10&13 MSG

Although the book hasn’t officially launched yet, The Quest is available on Amazon. For more information on or to order, visit https://amzn.to/2I5UGXA.

Purpose in the Pain

Posted on April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 by Susan Panzica

For the past two years, our friend Bob has undergone rigorous, debilitating chemo to fight the cancer that is plaguing his body. It’s taken a toll physically and emotionally, but he has this to say about it:

“Don’t ask God to take you out of the pain. Ask Him to bring you through it. The pain makes you focus on what’s really important. . . Not that I like it.”

How often would we avoid struggles if at all possible? We don’t like them. But if we could see them as Bob does, they will have eternal value.

That’s how the Apostle Paul saw his struggles too. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he talked a lot about his struggles.

In chapter 11, he provided some of the specifics of the horrible experiences he endured:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2 Cor. 11:23-27

But his perspective was an eternal one. He made a choice on what to focus on, on what was really important:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18

And because of that, he saw both the present and eternal benefits, the strength that comes from knowing his weakness allowed God to be strong in him:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

When we face opposition, health crises, financial hardship, family turmoil, or other problems, can we, like Bob, ask God to bring us through it rather than take us out of it? Can we seek God’s plan in the midst of the mess? Not that we like it. . .but can we look for the value in it? Can we see that His grace is sufficient? Because then, like Paul, we can say, “when I am weak, then I am strong!”

Remember – Rethink – Reconnect

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Another snowy nor’easter is barreling across the Northeast USA. We’ve been hit hard this March. Several huge snowstorms in a few short weeks. Technically, it’s spring, but you’d never know it from looking out your window.

I have three random thoughts to share on this snowy day:

1 – There’s a lot of grumbling out there, but let’s remember – we had one of the warmest February’s on record. How easy the memories of the blessings are wiped out by current harsh situations.

O my God, my soul is in despair within me [the burden more than I can bear]; Therefore I will [fervently] remember You … Ps 42:6 AMP

When we are in the midst of difficult times, it’s more important than ever to open the Word, to dwell upon the character and promises of God, to close our eyes and seek Him in prayer, to remember the “former things,” the blessings so easily forgotten.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Is. 46:9 NIV

2 – How is it that such pure white beauty can be so destructive. When we look at the surface of things – or of people – we can be deceived. Even “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:14 NIV)

So take the time to look deeper, to develop deeper friendships, to look beyond the facade. Don’t think that what you see on social media is necessarily the truth.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance …. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 6:7 Paul repeats this truth in 2 Cor. 10:7 – Don’t judge by appearance.

3 – During the last storm, many huge branches broke and entire trees were uprooted causing countless detours as well as loss of power and utilities. A large downed tree trapped my in-laws and their neighbors on their small dead-end street. Since the town was overloaded with other urgent repairs and road work, the neighbors, who seldom saw each other, connected. Together, they got their chain saws and removed the tree. Their work not only allowed them to escape their street, it also joined in fellowship those who lived there. Individually, none of them could have removed the tree, but working together, they accomplished more than the sum of the parts could have.

We are made for community. Paul describes us as members or parts of one body – each made for a unique task. When we cast aside our differences and recognize each other various gifting, we too become more than the sum of our parts. There’s no greater satisfaction than when the Spirit in us unites with the Spirit in others (except of course uniting with Christ Himself.)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:27 NIV

Is it snowy where you are? Have any of these random thoughts connected with you?

Can we agree if we disagree?

Posted on December 6, 2017December 6, 2017 by Susan Panzica

“What was that???”

Under the covers, my husband’s foot had just brushed against mine.

“That was my foot.”

“But… but… it…felt…like….. CLOTH…?”

“I’m wearing socks.”

“Huh?”

“Socks.”

He was absolutely perplexed that anyone would wear socks to bed. We had married in the heat of July. It was now September, and an autumn chill brought out the necessary socks for my perennially cold feet. He’s like a human radiator, and it was beyond his comprehension that anyone would wear socks under the covers.

It’s been 30 years, and he no longer wonders about my socks. He even requires me to wear them because he’s experienced how bone-chilling cold my feet can get, and he definitely doesn’t want to ever brush against them unless they’re snuggled inside socks!

How often do we assume that the way we see things is the same way everyone else does? Only to be surprised, even astonished, when people don’t see things the way we do.

My husband often tells the story of a young bride who always cut off the end of the roast before putting it in the pan. When her husband asked why she did it, she replied, “That’s how it’s done.” Since his mother never did that, they asked her mother why she cut off the end of the roast. Mom said that her mother had always done it. So they all went to grandma’s to ask the reason for cutting the roast. “Why, my dears, my pan was too small to fit the roast!”

How often do we assume that we know the right way to do something without considering that there might be another way?

We live in volatile times where people find it increasingly difficult to consider another’s point of view. Even as Christians, we can get tunnel vision unable to see a situation how others do, whether they are believers or not.

According to Scripture, our mandate is to live at peace with EVERYONE, whether they share our perspective or not.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Rom 12:18
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Heb. 12:14
Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11

That means we need to listen before we speak. We need to try to comprehend other’s views, even if we disagree with them. We can agree to disagree agreeably.

Because Jesus came to die for them too.

As we prepare to celebrate His birth, let’s heed the angels’ words to bring peace on earth and extend good will toward men –and women ;D

Another assumption we often make at this time of year is that everyone knows the Christmas story. Well, they might know the popular characters, but do they know the real meaning of the story? Do they know they are reciting the holy Word of God when they sing Christmas carols?

My children’s book Mary had a little Lamb is not just for children. It’s an opportunity to share the gospel with someone who may not know the whole scriptural truth of why Jesus came and that God can speak to us today.

To purchase the book: http://amzn.to/2fJRX6r

For resources on making Advent and Christmas meaningful: http://susanpanzica.com/mary-had-a-little-lamb/resources/

Encouragement for the Discouraged

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Susan Panzica

A simple tag on Facebook caught my attention. A friend from many years ago posted a picture. It wasn’t a photo of me, but of her Bible that she had rebound after falling apart from years of use. She tagged me because my name was written in the margin.

Years ago, I co-led a Bible study for young single women like myself at the time. They were sweet times as we were all growing together in the Lord. Though the emotions remain strong, many of the details of those days are dim or lost memories.

I tend to forget that God is eternal and sovereign. He’s omniscient and infinite. And He can use us in ways that may have an impact long after we’ve forgotten.

In dry times, I find myself in despair over my value and usefulness to God. I feel uninspired and unable to encourage others. And I think I’m the only one who feels that way.

But I’m not, am I?

We all feel that way sometimes. Sometimes for long times. Many of God’s most faithful servants in the Bible felt that way too.

After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran away in despair following a threat from Queen Jezebel.
Though deeply loved by her husband, Hannah wept over her barrenness so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk.
Despite being revered by his people, David cried out to the Lord so often while running for his life from Saul that the book of Psalms is the largest book in Scripture.

The enemy of our souls wants us to keep the dark times in the forefront of our minds rather than the fruitful blessed ones. But like Joseph who stored up during the 7 years of plenty to provide for the 7 years of drought, we need to cherish those fruitful times to sustain us for the dry seasons ahead.

Some thoughts for the dry season:

The Serenity Prayer says – God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. We first must distinguish between those circumstances we can change from those we cannot, take action where we can, but begin to learn that the non-changeables in our lives are allowed by God for a reason and for our benefit.
Is your God bigger than your circumstances? Ruminate on His promises, both those fulfilled and yet-to-be fulfilled.
Forget AND remember. The prophet Isaiah tells us to do both:
- “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Is. 43:18-19
- “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal. What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the One who redeemed us when we were unworthy, the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on, the One who grants us peace beyond understanding, the One who loves us unconditionally – whether we feel it or not.

Beloved, I pray that these words encourage you today. How can I pray for you?

Rumble Strips – Yay or Nay?

Posted on November 15, 2017November 29, 2017 by Susan Panzica

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRM……

The rubber of my tire grazed the center yellow line, and the sound and vibration rocked me in my seat. Instantly we were back in the proper lane. Rumble strips have been appearing on roadways all over my county. These deep indentations in the yellow divider lines effectually warn drivers that they are veering into oncoming traffic.

“That’s a good warning for drivers who are texting or drowsy!” My husband and I agreed.

When we mentioned rumble strips to my sister-in-law, she said, “I HATE those things!!” To turn onto her street, it’s necessary for the car to run over the strip. Every time.

But when we explained how useful they can be for driving safety, she softened. She still would like the one by her street to be shortened, but she could see how helpful they could be in preventing accidents.

God has rumble strips too!

It’s called the Word of God. In it, He is clear on attitudes and activities that would lead us into harm’s way. When we stray over the line of His protection, we are vulnerable to injury or destruction.

God’s rumble strips include:

Discipline – When we have attitudes or behaviors that displease the Lord, it is because of His kindness and great love for us that He lets us reap the consequences of what we’ve sown and hopefully we’ll learn from the experience.

“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12: 10-11

Boundaries – We want what we want when we want it, don’t we? But what we want isn’t always good for us. So God places boundaries protecting us from ourselves. We may balk at these boundaries, but try to remember that they are for our protection. Boundaries serve to help us develop self-control and responsibility for our own lives. Adam and Eve had everything with one exception, and it was that one boundary that the enemy used to tempt them.

God’s grace “teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:12

Christlikeness – Jesus set an example for us to follow when He allowed Himself to be subject to limitations. He was God incarnate, yet He “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”(Phil 2:6-8) When we surrender our need to control to His will for our lives, we develop into His image. Our thoughts begin to conform to His and we become transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” 1 John 5:3

We may hate rumble strips, both physical and spiritual, but when we embrace their purpose, we partner with God and set a course for a safe and fruitful journey!

www.susanpanzica.com

The 6 Most Valuable Words

Posted on August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 by Susan Panzica

For years, I longed to ride a motorcycle. Finally last autumn, I signed up for the Motorcycle Riding Academy.

The first part of the first day was spent in the classroom with video and personal instruction. The rest of the time we put that instruction into practice out on “the range.” Our teachers shared many important pieces of advice, but perhaps the most essential six words of advice were: “Look where you want to go.”

There is a unique connection between vehicle and driver. You can experience this connection to a much lesser degree when driving a car. But on two motorized wheels, there is no margin for error. This skill honestly can be a factor of life and death. You will drive exactly where you are looking. If you look at a tree hoping to miss it, you will inadvertently drive right toward it.

Now at every corner, I force myself to look past the curve down the road to where I want to be. If I stare at the road ahead of my front tire, it is exponentially more difficult to make the turn correctly and end up in the proper place in the lane. I know – I’ve ended up making turns much more dangerous than they needed to be just because I wasn’t looking ahead to where I wanted to go.

This advice, so critical for motorcycle safety, is also crucial for life. Where and what we focus on determines where we are going. <<click to tweet>>

When we’ve been let down in life, we can focus on the disappointments as if they’d change by our replaying them in our minds. We can look at the inequities we or others face in life and grow bitter that there appears to be no justice. We can concentrate on the irregular people in our lives and wish them harm or at least what we think they deserve.

But is that where we want to go? Do we want to become like those who have hurt us? Do we want to develop resentment or bitterness?

Or do we want to develop Christ-likeness? Do we want to respond as Jesus would? Do we want to be free from the burden of worldly attitudes which drag us down?

Life will hand you curves in the road. That’s guaranteed. Jesus said,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

His promise of tribulation is sandwiched between His offer of peace and His assurance of overcoming the world. When we focus on the tribulation, we miss His peace and are overcome BY the world.

The key is those six words: Look where you want to be. Stop focusing on what is right in front of you; enlarge your perspective to the bigger eternal picture; and focus on what Jesus is doing in you through these difficult situations.

“… the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4

Are you struggling with circumstances that test your faith? Know that these trials can be tools God uses to bring you to completeness and maturity when you keep your focus on Him. And keep looking at your goal – where and who you want to be.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Heb. 12:2 MSG

I’ll close with a quote from an article from Revzilla, a motorcycle accessory shop:

“Look where you want to go” means keeping your gaze on the real prize, the big goals you want to achieve during your finite time on this sphere. Staring at the spot just ahead of your front tire, either literally or metaphorically, ensures you won’t be ready for the next curve life throws at you.