Press On

“I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 NKJV

The apostle Paul was under home arrest when he wrote this scripture. His future was uncertain and incredibly bleak. He had been beaten, stoned, whipped and imprisoned multiple times. Yet he still endured. He stayed true to the course God laid out for him.

The scripture continues, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV).

Does your journey—this valley—seem endless? Although you may not be in prison, your life may seem as bleak as Paul’s. You’ve been working hard and giving your goals and dreams all you’ve got, yet it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, let alone believe there even is an end to it.

You may be fighting off hopelessness. Perhaps you’ve toyed with—or been plagued by— the idea of giving up. Turning in your walking stick and calling it quits. You might even be wondering if it’s worth it to face another day.

Press on.

Can you hear Paul as he looks over the rim of heaven to call out to you? Press on! It’s worth it! “Stand fast in the Lord, beloved” (Philippians 4:1 NKJV).

When your valley seems longest, when everything in you is ready to toss in the towel, press on. Stay true to the course God has laid out for you, the reason he has called you out of darkness and into his light. Reach towards it! Believe for it!

Forget the toil and trouble of yesterday. Believe God’s truth that as you continue to sow good things, you will reap a reward. You will see a harvest. Keep working toward that day when you will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved you for, the reason he laid hold of your life. Press on.

Pray:“Jesus, help me to keep pressing into who you are and all that you have for me. Help me to believe and reach for it! In your name, I pray.”

Seek: Have you been tempted to give up? Do you believe God has called you to this? Encourage your faith by writing down the fruit you will gain as you work towards the goal.

Speak: I will not give up! I press forward into all that God has for my life.