I’ve been through the ringer the past few weeks, and I have not handled it well. My ability to control unproductive thoughts and ungodly speech has been nearly non existent. This world can be hard because the people in it do not value God. They do not value righteousness. They do not have natural affection. They will use you up until there is nothing left–and what remains are your darkest parts. Those parts you pray the Lord would purge from your spirit. If it were not for the goodness of Jesus, this world would totally consume many of us.
Yet, it’s no excuse.
It’s no excuse to turn into this world. It’s no excuse to repay evil for evil. It’s no excuse to forget the patience of Jesus Christ that leads us to repentance. It’s no excuse to run off at the mouth or become full of bitterness and hate. It’s no excuse to forget thankfulness. There is no excuse…but there is mercy.
Jesus has shown me mercy at a time when — yet again — I feel myself falling into the traps of this world. When our lives and even members of our own household or those otherwise close to us make us feel like the adversary is on constant assault, we might get worn down. We might forget. We might need to be reminded of the calling we are aiming for.
I was stricken down with some terrible sickness the past week and a half, and I thank the Lord for it. He is good to put things into perspective and show us how blessed we are. He is good to give us strength to endure and bring our minds into remembrance of the kingdom of heaven.
I’ve been thinking about all that has happened lately and what I’m supposed to learn from all of this, and I turned to this chapter in the Bible. I want to share it with you. This world is hard, but we have to stay strong — and Jesus will give us the strength if we keep seeking him. His mercy is incredible, and His power is without measure. Praise the Lord!
2 Peter 3 (KJV)
3 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
KindlingTruth 
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