As my thoughts continued (though I was trying to encourage myself that I was doing the right thing) I heard a motor running behind me and made my way to the right side of the sidewalk to let a golfcart pass by. I was deep in thought, thinking about how I was going to pay for the binders I needed, to keep telling people about Jesus, and even if I could afford the binders I had no idea what I would do to get enough inserts (page protectors) and pay for photo copies of the pages at the same time. Even if I had to live on Peanut butter and jelly for the next two or three weeks in order to afford what I needed, I was determined to do it and to be faithful.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Why were you afraid?” And to us His question is the same. When we take our eyes off Jesus and put in on the problems around us, we will loose our peace and our souls! The devil knows that if he can get us distracted from our real mission, even when we become over zealous about good things, he was in the winning seat. Let us put away all distractions that rob our time with God, that take our peace.

How have you been asked to defend your faith and belief in Jesus Christ? Was it through your job, your studies or relinquishing your faith? How did you respond? If you stood firm or not, how did it make you feel? Some pressures will seem really hard to bear; but remember that Jesus’ encouragement is not to stumble. Let them do what they will; but no matter what, we are to stand for God.