Broken but Priceless Ministries
Follow Us:
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Broken but Priceless Ministries
    • Erin Elizabeth Austin
    • Josie Siler
    • Kathy Sebright
  • BLOG
    • Blog
    • Answers for Everyday Life
  • Magazine
    • The Magazine
    • Resources
  • Prayer
    • Request Prayer
    • Become a Prayer Partner
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Erin!
    • Public Speaking

Pressing On

11/2/2012

Comments

 
By Erin Elizabeth Austin

Loss. Devastation. Ruined. Hopeless. These are words we don’t use in our everyday conversations. We save these words to describe the moments, situations, and circumstances when there are no other words – when pain and heartache make us feel like we will break in a million pieces.

As I watched the news coverage of Hurricane Sandy and the damage left in her wake, I heard reporter after reporter use these words. Several said they had moments during the storm when they felt the same sense of hopelessness they experienced on 9/11. Yet when the storm ended and morning dawned, they knew everything would be okay. Even though the damage was great, the spirit of everyone wasn't crushed; there was a sense of resiliency among those affected by the storm.
Storms, both meteorological and personal, have a way of redefining the way we look at life. They often give us clarity and help us gain a new perspective. But sometimes, we can become so overwhelmed with the enormity of the storm and the problems it creates, we get trapped in the despair and sense of hopelessness and wonder how we will ever survive the pain. 

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul talks about how we can overcome moments like these. He says we should forget the past and press on to what lies ahead. He then writes verse fourteen, which is one of the most quoted verses in the book of Philippians. It says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul knew the only way to survive and overcome storms, problems, and past sins is to take our focus off them and put it on Christ. When he says to forget what lies behind, he is not saying to literally forget everything that has happened to you. The original Greek language indicates that it’s like taking off a heavy backpack so that you can run freely and without restraint. The phrase “press on” means “to pursue or chase.” So when Paul says to press on toward the prize of Christ, he’s saying to chase after Christ with all that we have. When we focus all of our attention on Christ – on His salvation, His love, His grace, His mercy – we are able to persevere and press on through the pain, suffering, and brokenness of this world. It is only when we do this, that we are filled with hope and joy. 

Unfortunately, we live in a broken world. There will always be problems, sickness, suffering, and storms. Because of this, it’s easy to live each day discouraged and void of all hope and joy; it requires effort to focus on God rather than on our problems. But when we do, not only will we be filled with hope, but we will also be a testimony to those around us who desperately need to know the hope of Christ.

We have a prize waiting for us. It’s time to stop wasting our energy focusing on our problems. It’s time to press on.

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)

© November 1, 2012     
Comments
    Email Subscription

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


    Picture
    Erin Elizabeth Austin

    Author

    Erin Elizabeth Austin is a writer and speaker with a passion to help people find healing in the midst of their brokenness.

    If you want to contact Erin directly please click here.


    Picture
    Josie Siler

    Contributor

    Josie Siler, like millions of others, is living with chronic illness. She is eager to share the hope and joy that she has found in Christ, whether that is in a church, at a women’s retreat, over a cup of hot cocoa, or through a blog post.
    Click here to email Josie.


    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    A New Perspective
    Angry At God
    Believing God
    Discovering Joy
    Embracing Who God Created You To Be
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self Worth
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self-Worth
    Learning To Thrive
    Names Of God
    Overcoming Bitterness
    Prayer
    Questioning God's Goodness
    Questioning God's Love
    Rising Above The Pain
    The Armor Of God
    The Names Of God
    When Hope Is Lost


    RSS Feed

Website by Business Notes LLC --- Photo Credits: Josie Siler