Word of the Week - Overcomer

"In all these things we are more than conquerors (Overcomers) through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

It is very challenging for us to understand the concept of living in the victory as an “Overcomer” especially when we are experiencing the pain and brokenness of the tribulations of life. Many Christians, especially in America, believe that if we are walking in the grace of the Holy Spirit that we will be blessed and everything will go well with us. That we will have a life where everything works in our relationships, vocations, health etc. This is what I believed when I first gave my life to the Lord just over 18 years ago, but this is simply not what God’s Word says and it is not true. In fact it is almost to the contrary, if you study the gospel it is a love story of pain, sacrifice and tribulation even unto death. This concept is not too popular in our current culture. No matter your faith or belief, the reality is that we live in a broken world that is cursed with evil, pain and disease and thus we all will face trials and tribulations in our lives, some of us more than others. This reality is noted throughout the New Testament and is highlighted by the analogy “of us all having our own cross to carry” as followers of Christ.The real questions is how we deal with the trials and tribulations of life. As believers, if we truly understand and receive this truth, we can have victory over any situation no matter the circumstance, because we know the final outcome. We are on the winning team no matter what the scoreboard of life says, because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross. So why does God allow us to suffer the pain and trials of life while on earth? It is simple, trials are the only way that we can be tested and refined into the image of Christ. So as Overcomers we can relate with the great Apostle Paul and “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” Romans 5:3-5.So let’s take heart and live as Overcomers no matter what we are facing because we know that we are becoming more Christ like in preparation for eternity with Christ where there will be no more pain or strife.Have a great week as an Overcomer….-Duane