Six Life-Changing Truths - Part One
by Anne Richardson

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:1-4)

In these verses I found six life-changing truths which teach us that in the race of life:

You Are Not Running Alone
How You Run will Affect Others
You Can’t Run with Weights On
You Must Run with Endurance
Every Obstacle Can be Overcome
You Must Stay Focused to Win

You Are Not Running Alone

The minute that we believe we are alone in a situation of life-that belief ushers in feelings of self pity. To think that we are alone is to deny the presence of God who said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” It means our focus has moved from God to self, and we begin telling ourselves things like….“Nobody understands…..nobody cares….I am alone.” And granted, nothing is worse than feeling alone in the midst of painful circumstances. This is precisely when we must believe and know in our heart of hearts that Jesus is enough. And we must trust in His promise to never abandon us-even when it seems like everyone else has.

Paul’s encouraging words echo down through the ages to the 21^st century church. He reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses; people whose lives have borne witness to the delivering power of truth. The testimonies of some are recorded in the pages of Scripture.

In Hebrews chapter 11, we find an inspirational tribute to several Old Testament personalities. Some experienced victory in a physical sense; some did not- but all were victorious spiritually. These verses tell us that though faith they:

"….subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:33-38)

These verses teach us something very important about faith. They clearly show us that faith is not about the outcome or the result. We learn here that faith in and of itself is our victory. Through faith some subdued kingdoms, waxed valiant in fight etc. But others were slain with the sword, tormented and afflicted. We would all like to be numbered with those who escaped the edge of the sword but the truth is that even when we do not-faith makes us victorious!

Keep in mind that Hebrews is talking about men and women just like you and I. Ordinary people who endured and triumphed over extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I can’t help but wonder if these same individuals lived in our day-would they end up on the couch of a psychologist or counsellor? Would they become readers of the latest self-help books? Would they consider themselves victims and embrace a mentality of self-pity or bitterness? Would they remain stuck in their past, never getting over the things they had experienced personally or witnessed happening to those they loved? The answer to these questions is a resounding NO!

Those believers kept their focus on Jesus with an unwavering faith. They knew “whom they had believed, and were persuaded that he is able to keep that which they had committed unto him against that day. (2Timothy 1:12)

Throughout history, there have been countless trailblazers of the faith; men and women who suffered greatly, yet who overcame because of their faith in God. Testimonies of God’s keeping and delivering power are still being written today.

You can be absolutely certain that in every trial of life that comes your way, someone somewhere has experienced what you are going through. You are not alone!

How You Run Will Affect Others

The testimonies of this great cloud of witnesses were recorded for us as a source of encouragement and hope. They let us know that we, too, can be witnesses in the toughest of circumstances through the power of the Holy Ghost. A witness is someone who has personal knowledge of something; someone who can attest of a fact or give evidence. How you and I respond in our trials can be a source of strength and even salvation to others. It is a God-given opportunity to personally attest that in our times of greatest weakness, God’s strength becomes ours when we look to Him! God never wastes a hurt! If we will trust in Him through the hard times, He will transform our wounds into a weapon against the enemy of our souls. God did that for me and He will do the same for you! The truths God so graciously spoke to me in my pain have not only become my gift to others, but they also strike a definitive blow to the one who relentlessly seeks to devour, and ultimately destroy wounded souls.

Someone once said that you can’t have a testimony without a test. I don’t know many people who actually like tests, but they are a necessary method of proving what we have learned or what we know about something- or in this case Someone. Begin thanking God now, for whatever it is that has caused you to know Him in the fellowship of His suffering. As you accept, embrace and apply the life-changing principles of God’s Word-your obedience will usher you into His presence where there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). As you freely receive from the wellspring of God’s mercy and love, purpose in your heart to then give it away to every soul the Lord places in your path. You can be His witness, by speaking the Word of life to others who are struggling.

You Can’t Run with Weights On

An athlete who runs competitively will make certain he is not carrying excess weight on his body. In order to run with any measure of endurance, it would be imperative for the runner to lighten his load. Paul admonishes us in our Scripture, to strip off very weight that slows us down. He’s isn’t talking about shedding any extra physical pounds. Paul is referring to the weight of sinful thought patterns and behaviours that oppose the knowledge of God. The heart acquainted with pain can easily become weighted down with emotional baggage. Resentment, unforgiveness, and self-pity are weights that not only drag us down, but draw us inward to a self-focus rather than a God-focus. In much the same way that an impaired driver can travel off course and crash his vehicle, the person who views life through the distorted window of a baggage-ridden heart can veer off-track, and even be destroyed.

Prior to spiritual rebirth, we are lord of our own lives. Without much thought- we follow after our own desires, and allow our emotions to rule. When the Spirit of God comes to dwell within us a control issue develops. Our human nature tends to rationalize selfish thoughts and actions. It feels justified in doing so-especially when we are in any kind of emotional pain. The flesh convincingly argues, “I have been hurt, therefore I have a right to be bitter or angry or to feel sorry for myself.” This kind of thinking anchors us to our past or to a negative event -and separates us from the victory that comes through repentance, forgiveness and walking in the power of the Spirit.

The two-edged sword of God’s Word has a way of cutting through the lies we have come to believe because of an offence. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) and when “He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). God’s Word - His truth – as it is revealed by his Spirit, will override every lie or deception that we have come to believe about ourselves, about others and about God! When we effectively engage the Sword of the Spirit by faith-the weights and sins that so easily beset us are lopped off, so we can run this race with freedom

Six Life-Changing Truths is an excerpt from Focus on Freedom by Anne Richardson. This article is part one in a two part series.