I share much of my life in these devotions, the good, the silly, the difficult, and even the failures. I do that not to garner praise or sympathy but to remind all of us that while we are not perfect people, we are overcomers. We may stumble, fall, fail, or get knocked down, but we are never out!
John wrote that “everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [1John 5:4-5 NIV]
In his letters Paul often reminded people of his struggles. He was forthright in telling of how he persecuted the church, of how he pleaded with God to remove his thorn in the flesh, of his difficulties in ministry. He did it to identify with his readers and to point them to Jesus. Paul was an overcomer precisely because he placed his faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
I have had to overcome a difficult childhood, my own personality flaws, my sins, circumstances, and failures. Many of you have had to overcome the same, or even worse. We are overcomers because of Christ Jesus.
I encourage you to share your life with others, not just the good and great, but the silly, the difficult and the failures also.
When they see how you have overcome all, they will ask, “HOW?” Then you can tell them that it’s all because of faith in Jesus, the Son of God.
