Some people find it so difficult to maintain their status after rising to higher levels. God's plan for you and I is continuous rising rather than the other way round. The demand is not to become lazy of doing the things that took you to the top less you start falling. Job was the richest in the Middle East but remained righteous in the days of trouble. Many of us at the appearance of trials easily give up on God and start doing things our own way. You need to continue doing what took you up inorder to sustain the top.
>"But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always". Hosea 12:6*
Whatever you are doing that is right, takes the people and the kingdom of God forward shouldn't be stopped. No matter the stones shot at you, encourage yourself as you cling to your objective. You maybe misinterpreted for doing what is right but it shouldn't be a hindrance to your good works. Only trees with fruits attracts stones so it canbe plugged, a bare tree will never be shot.
>"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me". Mathew 5:11
If Jesus could receive stones during His ministry, how much more you and I? Keep going, the journey ahead is great!
Doing your best doesn't mean you won't have tribulations. In the best of your sacrifices, persecutions may arise but don't allow it to determine your behavior. Sometimes before we have rainfall, there is serious wind, thunder or dark skies . All these can't stop the rain from falling. Likewise the persecutions, trials can't stop you except you decide to stop.
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him". James 1:12*
Do not become weak at the place of service for your reward is sure!
Hi @newtonb
Ah, the perpetual struggle of maintaining one's status after reaching the pinnacle of success – it's like trying to balance a plate of spaghetti on a unicycle while juggling flaming torches! But fear not, for God's plan for us is not a downward spiral into mediocrity, but rather a continuous ascent to greater heights. It's like riding an elevator to the top floor of a skyscraper, except the elevator occasionally gets stuck between floors, and you're left wondering if you should take the stairs or wait for divine intervention.
Take Job, for example – the guy was rolling in dough and righteousness, even when faced with more trials than a contestant on a reality TV show. He didn't let adversity knock him off his high horse (or camel, in his case), which is commendable considering most of us would probably throw in the towel and start a llama farm instead.
And let's not forget Jesus – the ultimate poster child for perseverance in the face of adversity. If he could handle being crucified and still come out on top, then surely we can handle a few metaphorical stones being thrown our way. After all, as the saying goes, "When life gives you stones, make a stone soup and invite your enemies over for dinner."
But hey, just because we're facing trials and tribulations doesn't mean we can't have a good laugh along the way. In fact, laughter is like a life preserver in the stormy sea of trials – it keeps us afloat and prevents us from drowning in self-pity. So, let's chuckle in the face of adversity, dance in the rain of persecution, and remember that the journey ahead may be bumpy, but the view from the top is totally worth it. #comment
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