What Is Victory? Sometimes It Is Successfully Enduring

Victory is not limited to casting mountainous obstacles into the sea, or swiftly calming turbulent and dangerous situations. Victory can also include maintaining an internal attitude of victory over a difficult and prolonged period of time. We are to walk in authority whether or not the mountains fly into the sea, and we are to stay in peace throughout the whole of life’s most violent storms. We are never to be controlled by outward circumstances.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. II Thessalonians 1:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Paul is proud of the Thessalonians for their unwavering and continued perseverance in the midst of terrible persecutions. Their outward perseverance is a sign of their internal faith toward God and love for each other. We are to stand firm together in the faith no matter what happens or does not happen. We are to be faithful and firm in the faith in the face of prolonged trials. We will be rewarded. It may take waiting till Jesus returns, but we will be rewarded. Stand firm and believe God, it is worth it.

Source: http://hopefaithprayer.com