What You Carry is Bigger Than What You Face
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty" - 2 Timothy 3:1
Paul didn’t sugarcoat it. He told Timothy straight up that there would be hard days. Times will come that press you, stretch you, and maybe even try to break you. But that was never the end of the story. Because what God places in you will always be greater than what’s coming against you.
Paul knew this firsthand. Sitting in a prison cell, abandoned by many, and staring death in the face, he still wrote with boldness. Why? Because the gospel wasn’t just a message to Paul. It was power. Power that changed him. Power that kept him. Power that was worth suffering for. He didn’t tell Timothy to avoid the fight. He told him to be ready for it.
You’re going to face things that test you. Pain, disappointment, betrayal, confusion, loss. None of it means God has left you. In fact, it may mean you’re right where you need to be for God to show His strength through your weakness. The enemy wants you to believe the difficulty means defeat. But difficulty is often the doorway to destiny.
What are you facing right now? What is weighing heavy? Whatever it is, it’s not bigger than the power of the Spirit inside you. You’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit of God. That’s not a theory. That’s not a metaphor. That’s real power in you to walk through fire and come out stronger. You don’t have to be afraid of what’s coming when you know who you carry.
Don’t let hardship shrink your confidence. Let it refine your calling. Let it deepen your roots. Let it strip away what doesn’t matter and solidify what does. Keep showing up. Keep holding on. Keep believing.
Because the same God who sustained Paul in a prison cell is the same God who walks with you today. And He has placed more inside you than anything the world could throw at you. You don’t fight for victory, you fight from it.
Paul didn’t sugarcoat it. He told Timothy straight up that there would be hard days. Times will come that press you, stretch you, and maybe even try to break you. But that was never the end of the story. Because what God places in you will always be greater than what’s coming against you.
Paul knew this firsthand. Sitting in a prison cell, abandoned by many, and staring death in the face, he still wrote with boldness. Why? Because the gospel wasn’t just a message to Paul. It was power. Power that changed him. Power that kept him. Power that was worth suffering for. He didn’t tell Timothy to avoid the fight. He told him to be ready for it.
You’re going to face things that test you. Pain, disappointment, betrayal, confusion, loss. None of it means God has left you. In fact, it may mean you’re right where you need to be for God to show His strength through your weakness. The enemy wants you to believe the difficulty means defeat. But difficulty is often the doorway to destiny.
What are you facing right now? What is weighing heavy? Whatever it is, it’s not bigger than the power of the Spirit inside you. You’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit of God. That’s not a theory. That’s not a metaphor. That’s real power in you to walk through fire and come out stronger. You don’t have to be afraid of what’s coming when you know who you carry.
Don’t let hardship shrink your confidence. Let it refine your calling. Let it deepen your roots. Let it strip away what doesn’t matter and solidify what does. Keep showing up. Keep holding on. Keep believing.
Because the same God who sustained Paul in a prison cell is the same God who walks with you today. And He has placed more inside you than anything the world could throw at you. You don’t fight for victory, you fight from it.
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6 Comments
Man just that last sentence alone! It’s easy to fight from victory when you don’t have any fear but my opportunity for growth is exactly what you just said. Thank you Pastor Ed.
My thoughts exactly
This is so true! I’ve been going through a hard season for several years and this gives me strength to keep going. Thank you Pastor Ed!!
God is always good, and will always be good, even in difficult times, all Glory and Praise to Him!!!!
This weekend I broke down hard, crying till I couldn't breathe. It wasn't a anxiety attack, but it was things I am facing. Things that are pressing me, stretching me, and leaving cracks in my mind and soul, but Jesus has my heart. I prayed hard and I wrote in my journal about said issues. I knew I had to let it out and have faith, to surrender these things to His Hands. He is the victory and His Holy Spirit is in me to combat this. His calling for me is bigger than my tears.
"You don’t fight for victory, you fight from it." Powerful words. Thank you Jesus for Your workings in Pastor Ed.