“By your patience possess your souls.” NKJV “Stand firm, and you will win life.” NIV

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

Note the call “make up your mind not to worry beforehand”. Note the call “make up your mind not to worry beforehand”. At first, verse 18 seems to indicate they will never experience physical harm. But this must be interpreted in context. They have also been warned about persecution and suffering (verses 12, ). This ancient expression indicates protection by God’s ultimate (but not necessarily immediate) intervention. At first, verse 18 seems to indicate they will never experience physical harm. But this must be interpreted in context. They have also been warned about persecution and suffering (verses 12, ). This ancient expression indicates protection by God’s ultimate (but not necessarily immediate) intervention.

Jesus is encouraging them to approach impending danger with absolute optimism. God will have the last word. They will be raised incorruptible (I Corinthians 15:50-58). Jesus is encouraging them to approach impending danger with absolute optimism. God will have the last word. They will be raised incorruptible (I Corinthians 15:50-58).

God still calls you not to worry. If you faced those dire circumstances He would give you just what you need at the moment you need it. God still calls you not to worry. If you faced those dire circumstances He would give you just what you need at the moment you need it.

The Greek word here for “patience” (NIV- “standing firm”) is ὑ πομον ῇ (hypomonē) which means “patient endurance or enduring under affliction.” The Greek word here for “patience” (NIV- “standing firm”) is ὑ πομον ῇ (hypomonē) which means “patient endurance or enduring under affliction.”

The Greek word here for “possess” (NIV- “gain” or “win”) is κτήσασθε (ktēsasthe) which means “to procure or purchase.” The use of the middle imperative means we are commanded to take action and be responsible for getting ourselves under control by mastering our emotions and actions. The Greek word here for “possess” (NIV- “gain” or “win”) is κτήσασθε (ktēsasthe) which means “to procure or purchase.” The use of the middle imperative means we are commanded to take action and be responsible for getting ourselves under control by mastering our emotions and actions.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1.The children who waited for a second marshmallow or pretzel (showing self-control and delayed gratification, fared much better in life. 1.The children who waited for a second marshmallow or pretzel (showing self-control and delayed gratification, fared much better in life.

2.Higher SAT scores. 2.Higher SAT scores. 3.Lower BMI (Body Mass Index). 3.Lower BMI (Body Mass Index). 4.Lower rates of addiction. 4.Lower rates of addiction. 5.Lower divorce rates. 5.Lower divorce rates. 6.More competent in life than those who took instant gratification. 6.More competent in life than those who took instant gratification. 7.Higher level of satisfaction. 7.Higher level of satisfaction.

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