The Overcomer’s Reward

June 19, 2008

By James Fields

Overcoming life’s difficulties is fun. Everyone enjoys winning. But the process of overcoming a challenge can wear us out. Fighting one battle after another fatigues us emotionally and spiritually. After a while, we begin to wonder if there is any purpose to all this “overcoming” required of our walk of faith.

Be encouraged by this Word from the Lord: “He who overcomes will inherit all this” (Revelation 21:7, NIV).

What does Jesus mean by “all this?” Eternal life, freedom from pain, face-to-face fellowship with the Lord whom you love, escape from any sinful influences, joy without intermission, abundant satisfaction of all desires … and on it goes. Space doesn’t allow the Bible to list all the rewards Jesus will eternally lavish upon overcomers.

Let’s keep reminding ourselves that temporary battles produce eternal rewards. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Is it worth the struggle to overcome temptation and discouragement in this life? Absolutely. An eternity of everything that’s good and enjoyable awaits the follower of Christ who holds on in faith despite every hardship. To the Almighty One who helps us overcome, lets declare that “in all that has happened to us … you have acted faithfully” (Nehemiah 9:33).

— James and Delores Fields are veteran Assemblies of God pastors and former missionaries. They founded Comfort and Encouragement Ministries in 1997.