The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“Looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

—Hebrews 12:2–3

Jesus is both the foundation of our initial faith, and the one who makes it possible to move forward.

We look to him so that we can continue this life of faith in a troubled world without giving up or giving in. He can sympathize with every pain and every temptation (Hebrews 4:15).

We see in his life the pain, hostility, and shame he endured, and we can follow his example when we experience the same, because we know that both the joy and the purpose set before us are worth the battle.

Jesus did not let that pain, hostility, and shame make him question the path God put him on. He looked to the joy set before him and did not falter or hesitate no matter the difficult road. His example shows us victory not in spite of but through and because of that difficult road. His cross was his victory.

If you’re enduring suffering and disgrace right now, hold fast to the Word of God. Endure to the end, for, as Christians, all our difficulty will be turned into triumph, and the victory gained through that suffering is worth everything that comes along the way. There is joy coming.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download