"Run the Race to the Finish" - KEEP RUNNING DESPITE CHALLENGES - Conclusion

 If you live with limitations and feel that you are misunderstood, you may be able to draw strength from the example of Mephibosheth.   (2 Samuel 4:4)  He had to deal with being infirm, and he was misjudged by King David.  Mephibosheth did  nothing to bring about on himself.    Yet, he did not allow himself to become negative;he appreciated the positive things in his life. He was thankful for the kindness David  had shown him in the past.  (2 Samuel 9:6-10) So when David misjudged him, Mephibosheth saw the complete picture.  He did not allow David's mistake to make him bitter. And he did not blame Jehovah for David had done.  Mephibosheth focused on what he could do to support Jehovah's anointed king.  (2 Samuel 16:1-4; 19:24-30)   Jehovah had Mephibosheth's execellent example recorded in His Word for our benefit.

Because of severe anxiety, some brothers and sisters feel very nervous and self-conscious in everyday social situations.  They may find it difficult to be in large groups, but they continue to attend congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions.  They find it a challenge to speak to strangers, yet they talk  to others in the field ministry. If that is true in your case, be assured that you are not alone.  Many deal with similar struggles. Remember that Jehovah is pleased with your whole-souled  efforts.  The face that you have not given up is proof that he is blessing you and giving you the strength you need.  (Philippians 4:6, 7; 1 Peter 5:7 )   If you are serving Jehovah despite enduring physical or emotional limitations, you can be confident that you  are pleasing Jehovah. 

Thankfully, there are differences between a literal race and the one Paul talks about. In a literal footrace in Bible times, only one personw on the prize.  By contrast, everyone who endures faithfully in the Chrsitian course of life receives the prize of everlasting life.  (John 3:16)  And in the literal race, all the runners had to be physically fit, otherwise, they had chance of winning.  On the other hand, manuy of us have physical limitations, yet we are enduring.  (2 Corinthians 4:16)  With Jehovah's help, we will all rund the race to the finish!

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/ RACISM 

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