David Yarbrough
Matthew 16:24 (CSB)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Kingdom living can be wonderfully painful.
Has the road ever gotten so rough that it felt like it was beating the very life right out of you? Well, that might just be designed by God. Living under the Kingdom authority rule of Jesus teaches us how to frame our struggles. Sometimes God will allow the road you're traveling to get extremely rough with the intention of toughening up your soul. Because a smooth road will make a soft soul, and a rough road can help you develop Kingdom grit. I want to share three things Kingdom Grit will teach you.
1. Kingdom Grit will teach you to value your blessings without worshipping them.
Through afflictions, we learn how to value our outward blessings and comforts more without getting too attached to them. The bumps and the zigs and zags of the rough roads teach us how to be more thankful for the good things God has given us without getting too caught up in them. By nature, we tend to either love the stuff of this world too much or value it too little. Without the right Kingdom perspective, we will do this with everything and everyone. Because our flesh is selfish, we tend to cling on to the things of this world that give us security when we should find all our security in God. On the other hand, we tend to undervalue all of creation because we see it as a commodity to be consumed to comfort our flesh.
2. Kingdom Grit will teach you self-denial and give you identity and purpose.
When all our roads are smooth, our primary focus is on what me, myself, and I want. We think our smooth travel is because of how good and smart we are. We see ourselves in the driver's seat of life, thinking we're in control of all our external circumstances. At this point, our prayers are usually filled with giving God advice and directives on what He should do for us and with everyone around us. When the roads of life are all smooth, we are not interested in taking up a cross because crossbearing is unnecessary when everything seems to be going our way. But when life takes a sudden left turn to affliction avenue, our hearts will suddenly turn to the cross. It's strange how the more the heat of the sufferings of this life gets turned up, the more our pride dies down. The sufferings and afflictions of our faith burn off any false identities this world has put on us and will lead us to our true identity in Christ Jesus.
James 1:2–4 (CSB)
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Proverbs 22:15 (CSB)
Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth; a rod of discipline will separate it from him.
3. Kingdom grit will teach you to trust God's plan.
Kingdom living always assures us that God is weaving the good and the bad together in our lives for his Kingdom purposes. Romans 8:28 (CSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. When the roads of life get rough and it seems like everything is falling apart in our hands, we have the assurance that everything is coming together in His Kingdom. Our flesh can cause us to doubt God when the roads of this life get rough. It will cause us to wonder if God is good and if God is really involved. How can a loving God allow the road to get so rough? But Kingdom living helps us frame all these thoughts with the truth of God's word. We can see from Romans 8:28 that God is working all things together for His purpose, including the rough and smooth roads. When we decide to live for His Kingdom purposes and not for our own selfish purposes, we understand that even when the road is rough, God is doing a good work.
Jeremiah 29:11 (CSB)
For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.