Rising Above
Keeping your faith is like running a race. Try as hard as you can to win. Be sure you receive the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life. And you confessed the great truth about Christ in a way that many people heard. - 1 Timothy 6:12 ICB
Kris Silbaugh played football with just one hand. What’s more, he played receiver—a position that’s all about using two hands. He even set the all-time receiving yards record at his high school.
Born without a left hand due to a birth defect, Silbaugh says, “It has never stopped me. I just don’t let it—never have.”
New Testament character Timothy didn’t let challenges stop him either. He faithfully served God and the church in the city of Ephesus. Paul pointed out two hard things in Timothy’s life. First, he was young, and second, he was “sick so often” (see 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:23). It’s tough to lead a dynamic and immature church when you’re younger than most of the people. And dealing with not feeling good didn’t help.
In addition, Timothy had to put up with people teaching the wrong things about Christianity and the sadness of seeing his friend Paul being put in jail and growing old (1 Timothy 4:1–2; 6:5; 2 Timothy 2:3, 9; 4:6, 9).
What looks hard for you today? Just like Timothy did, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 1:18). Ask God for the strength to meet today’s challenges.