FJWL_01:79
         (Apostle Paul speaking:) In my time on Earth I saw many afflictions. I was shipwrecked at sea and spent a day in the water. I saw the high waves crashing all around and it was very frightening. I was not delivered out of it but I was kept through it. I was beaten and I was stoned and I suffered sickness.
         Many times I felt so discouraged that I felt like giving up, but I knew I had to keep going. I saw much hardship, and many times I felt defeated physically, mentally and spiritually. At times I would think, "I've endured so much, and I'm so tired!" But I knew I could not give up, for I knew there was a great crown of righteousness laid up for me.
         In my defeat, in my discouragement, and in my despair, I carried on faithfully. As I did, these things came to pass, and I was brought through them. The storms did not always end when I wished them to. I had to go through the beatings and the stonings, but the Lord always gave me the grace, and afterwards comforted me, healed me, kept me, and rewarded me.
         Our Lord kept me and protected me, even through the storm, and even through the beating, and even through the stoning, and even through the persecutions, and even through the discouragement. He did not deliver me from these things, but He kept me through them.
         So when the storms come and beat high upon your ship, and it seems as if your vessel is breaking into pieces, trust. And even if your ship does break into pieces and you are cast into the waters and the waves are overwhelming you, trust. If the stones of persecution are being cast at you, trust. If the scourging of the Enemy's lies is being meted unto you, trust. For our Lord is always there, and He does not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able to bear, but He makes a way to escape.--Not always to escape from the affliction or the battle or the test, but you can escape through trusting.
         So don't let go! Hold fast to that crown--that crown of joy, that crown of life, that crown of service, that crown of reward. Set it not down. Hold it. It is well worth it to hold on through all the depths, for when you do, you have great reward there upon the Earth, and abundant great reward Here in the Heavenlies. For we are watching and we are helping, but it is you that must make the choice.
         Once you choose to hold on, then we can spring into action and help even more. But you must choose. You must take the step of faith; that is for you alone to choose. So be not fearful to undergo whatever it is that is sent your way--your testings, your trials, your purgings. But know that He is faithful to keep you in all your tribulations, and through your tribulations, and beyond your tribulations (ML #2987).



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