Dear friend,
As I sat down to write this post, my apartment suddenly looked new. To be clear, I did nothing new: there's still a planner here, a notebook there, dishes need to be loaded into the dishwasher, and my bed is unmade, but my spirit senses a new beginning.
It's feeling spring-ish right now.
It's truly a wonderful feeling because a new beginning is my reward for persevering through adversity. I've learned that to make it out of any tough season, you must focus diligently. One of the things I focused on was the reward awaiting me on the other side of my hardship. Now I'm not telling you to practice escapism. I am, however, telling you that sometimes the only encouragement you have to keep going is the promise of better future days.
That's what kept me going!
In my last season, one scripture that I kept close to my heart was Hebrews 12:2b (AMPC), "He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus endured the pain and embarrassment of the cross because of a future promise, which was the joy attached to the prize awaiting Him. Yes, He struggled. Yes, He bled. Yes, He felt forsaken. Yes, He even asked for an alternative plan. But He endured because of the future, and so must you.
Whatever you're facing, you're more than equipped to overcome it.
The obstacle is not bigger than you.
You have what it takes.
People are depending on you.
You are depending on you.
Dig deep.
One day, we will be congratulating you because you will have graduated.