“Hebrews says that when your confidence is shaken and your courage is slipping, consider Jesus. What does it mean to consider Jesus? It means what you would assume it means; to contemplate. To think about. . . . Instead of ‘considering Jesus.’ we have a tendency to ‘consider our circumstances.’ “- Kyle Idleman
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”- Philippians 3:8 (NIV)
As Kyle Idleman continues Chapter 10 of Don’t Give Up, he talks about the first way we throw away our confidence, become discouraged, and lose heart.
1. Considering circumstances rather than Christ. In Hebrews 12:3, the writer urges us, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Most noteworthy, Pastor Idleman observes, the phrase lose heart translates as ‘discouraged.’ Or, even more literally, ‘so that you will not lose courage.’ Because something happens when we place our confidence in circumstance and that fails to go as planned. It stands on shaky ground. The Christians Hebrews addresses lost courage because life failed to turn out the way they hoped.
Furthermore, the word consider has two meanings:
- to think, to contemplate – Jesus, not your circumstances
- to compare – look at what you’re going through and compare it to what Jesus went through for you
In conclusion, Pastor Idleman summarizes:
“Consider. Compare. Perspective tends to put the mind right where it should be. When you’re tired and ready to give up, think about Jesus and say to yourself, This is nothing compared to what he went through. And keep running your race.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses direct you to consider Jesus rather than your circumstances? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Day of the big confidence test”
