SAINT ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Do not throw away your confidence. 

We all know what it’s like to be tempted to give up. Maybe a task seems too hard. Or obstacles seem too high. Or even though we’ve cleared other hurdles, we don’t think we can make it over this one. The author of Hebrews saw his people wavering too. Since they had embraced the good news of Jesus Christ, many had been scorned by family and friends. Some had even been expelled from their homes and lost their worldly goods. It looked like the hardship was not going away any time soon. So he warned them not to “throw away [their] confidence” (Hebrews 10:35).

How? Remember (Hebrews 10:32). They were to remember all the times that God had seen them through, all the ways in which their brothers and sisters in Christ had buoyed them up during hardships. They were to remember the joy of comforting someone else in their trials or seeing the “better and lasting possession” they had in Christ, even when they suffered losses (10:34).

Remembering is key for us too. Because when we look back on our difficulties, we realize that they weren’t the end of our story. God used them to strengthen us and build our confidence. And he still does today.

As we keep our eyes on all that God has brought us through already, we deepen our ability to endure. We grow in trusting that even now, God is faithful and will be with us. We come to understand that he will give us the stamina we need to do his will. And so we become like the Hebrews: “those who have faith and will possess life” (10:39).

One practical way you can remember God’s work in your life is by keeping a journal. Is there any better way to remember God’s goodness than by writing it down and revisiting it from time to time? As you do something as ordinary as recording and reviewing your experiences and lessons from the Lord, you might be surprised at how much this can fill you with confidence in him.

Remembering made the Hebrews bold and helped them persevere. And it can do the same for you.

“Jesus, thank you for being faithful to me in good times and bad. I trust you to deepen your life and strength in me.”

Hebrews 10:32-39
Psalm 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40
Mark 4:26-34