Faith has to be extended in the midst of challenges. In Philippians, Paul reminds us that he hasn’t reached his ultimate goals yet but continues to press on, fueled by his unwavering faith in Christ. He forgets what’s behind him and strains towards the future, with his eyes fixed on the prize God has called him to.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Like Paul, we must fight for our hearts and keep pushing forward. We may never fully arrive at our destination, but that’s okay because we’re always a work in progress. We must give our all, pouring every ounce of effort into reaching our goals and fulfilling our purpose.

To do this, we need to extend and stretch our faith. Faith is easy when life is smooth sailing, but it truly becomes tested when faced with resistance. In fact, faith is easy until you have to use it. At this moment, when we’re up against the wall, faith comes alive. It’s no longer just an abstract concept but a tangible force that propels us forward.

Don’t be discouraged if your faith falters when faced with challenges. Many people experience the same struggle. The key is to remember that faith is activated the moment you hit your limit. It’s when you encounter resistance that your faith has to kick into high gear. This is where your true strength lies.

Push through the barriers, hold fast to your faith, and overcome whatever obstacles come your way. We won’t let resistance defeat us because faith is the ultimate weapon. Let’s tap into its power and achieve greatness. The prize is waiting for us, and we will claim it with unwavering faith.

1 Timothy 6:11, 12 (NIV)

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

* Taken from my new book, Keep Moving Forward: Master The Art Of Perseverance