When Following Jesus Gets Hard, Lean in Further
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. - Acts 14:13-15
We all want to live a godly life. We all want to run the race with perseverance. Yet we know how fragile our own strength can be and how hard another day of following Jesus can feel. The mission of God is unstoppable, but we are not. We have need of endurance.
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas press on through Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, facing opposition at every turn. They follow a familiar pattern: the gospel goes out, opposition rises up, perseverance bears fruit, and God gets the glory. Reflecting on these very journeys later in life, Paul reminded Timothy, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). The natural instinct when things get hard is to pull back, give in, or give up. But this picture teaches us the opposite. When following Jesus gets hard, lean in further. Rely on God more. Depend on Him deeper.
1. Persevere With Courageous Communication
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas began where they always did, sharing the gospel boldly. A great number believed. But unbelievers stirred up trouble and poisoned minds against them. So what did they do? They doubled down. They stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace through signs and wonders. Even when a plot to harm them forced them to move on, there was no backing down from talking about Jesus.
The same call comes to us. Out of the overflow of your talking to Jesus, talk about Jesus. You do not need to be weird about it. Just be real about it. Authentic is bold enough, and your convictions will shine through.
2. Persevere With Clear Convictions
In the small town of Lystra, Paul healed a man who could not walk, and the crowds went wild. They called Paul and Barnabas gods, ready to offer sacrifices. We see this today too, when culture hands fame and authority to voices that make unverified claims and lead people astray. But Paul and Barnabas knew their audience and held clear convictions. They were not after status. They were after souls.
So they pointed the people to creation itself, to the God who made the heavens and the earth. The skies and the mountains preach their own sermon, leaving us small and without excuse. No matter where you find yourself, you can hold fast to what you know is true. Lean in to the gospel. You can trust it. Jesus will not fail you, even when standing for Him brings you to the brink. Opposition followed Paul to Lystra, and there he was stoned and left for dead. Yet he revived and pressed on.
3. Persevere With Commitment to the Church
Here is the wonder of it. When Paul was left for dead, the disciples gathered around him. He recovered surrounded by his church family, then traveled on to Derbe to preach and make disciples. Then he turned around and retraced his steps through the very towns that had opposed him. Why? To strengthen souls, to encourage believers to continue in the faith, and to appoint elders with prayer and fasting.
Paul did not simply win converts and move on. He committed himself to the church Jesus was building, the bride for whom He died. Even a near death experience would not shake that commitment. Keeping his eyes on Jesus and his life surrounded by other believers was how he kept going. Perseverance was never a solo activity.
You were never meant to endure alone. The Christian life is Spirit-empowered, Christ-exalting, church-family perseverance. When the road grows steep and the opposition grows loud, resist the urge to shrink back. Lean in further. Speak boldly about Jesus, stand firm in your convictions, and stay deeply rooted in the community of faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
Closing Prayer
Father, You know how weak I am and how quickly I am tempted to pull back when following You gets hard. Strengthen me by Your Spirit to lean in further. Give me courage to speak of Jesus, clear convictions to stand on Your truth, and a heart committed to Your church. When opposition or suffering comes, remind me that You rescue Your people and that the mission is unstoppable. Help me to run with endurance, looking to Jesus, in the company of Your people. In His name, amen.
We all want to live a godly life. We all want to run the race with perseverance. Yet we know how fragile our own strength can be and how hard another day of following Jesus can feel. The mission of God is unstoppable, but we are not. We have need of endurance.
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas press on through Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, facing opposition at every turn. They follow a familiar pattern: the gospel goes out, opposition rises up, perseverance bears fruit, and God gets the glory. Reflecting on these very journeys later in life, Paul reminded Timothy, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). The natural instinct when things get hard is to pull back, give in, or give up. But this picture teaches us the opposite. When following Jesus gets hard, lean in further. Rely on God more. Depend on Him deeper.
1. Persevere With Courageous Communication
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas began where they always did, sharing the gospel boldly. A great number believed. But unbelievers stirred up trouble and poisoned minds against them. So what did they do? They doubled down. They stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace through signs and wonders. Even when a plot to harm them forced them to move on, there was no backing down from talking about Jesus.
The same call comes to us. Out of the overflow of your talking to Jesus, talk about Jesus. You do not need to be weird about it. Just be real about it. Authentic is bold enough, and your convictions will shine through.
2. Persevere With Clear Convictions
In the small town of Lystra, Paul healed a man who could not walk, and the crowds went wild. They called Paul and Barnabas gods, ready to offer sacrifices. We see this today too, when culture hands fame and authority to voices that make unverified claims and lead people astray. But Paul and Barnabas knew their audience and held clear convictions. They were not after status. They were after souls.
So they pointed the people to creation itself, to the God who made the heavens and the earth. The skies and the mountains preach their own sermon, leaving us small and without excuse. No matter where you find yourself, you can hold fast to what you know is true. Lean in to the gospel. You can trust it. Jesus will not fail you, even when standing for Him brings you to the brink. Opposition followed Paul to Lystra, and there he was stoned and left for dead. Yet he revived and pressed on.
3. Persevere With Commitment to the Church
Here is the wonder of it. When Paul was left for dead, the disciples gathered around him. He recovered surrounded by his church family, then traveled on to Derbe to preach and make disciples. Then he turned around and retraced his steps through the very towns that had opposed him. Why? To strengthen souls, to encourage believers to continue in the faith, and to appoint elders with prayer and fasting.
Paul did not simply win converts and move on. He committed himself to the church Jesus was building, the bride for whom He died. Even a near death experience would not shake that commitment. Keeping his eyes on Jesus and his life surrounded by other believers was how he kept going. Perseverance was never a solo activity.
You were never meant to endure alone. The Christian life is Spirit-empowered, Christ-exalting, church-family perseverance. When the road grows steep and the opposition grows loud, resist the urge to shrink back. Lean in further. Speak boldly about Jesus, stand firm in your convictions, and stay deeply rooted in the community of faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
Closing Prayer
Father, You know how weak I am and how quickly I am tempted to pull back when following You gets hard. Strengthen me by Your Spirit to lean in further. Give me courage to speak of Jesus, clear convictions to stand on Your truth, and a heart committed to Your church. When opposition or suffering comes, remind me that You rescue Your people and that the mission is unstoppable. Help me to run with endurance, looking to Jesus, in the company of Your people. In His name, amen.
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