1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God... 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrews 12)
Don't let anyone steal your joy. Jesus did not; neither should we. He is the One Who binds us together, and He is our mutual Savior and Example. When we are tempted to give up, we are to look to Him. What He did He did on His own. what we are called to do, we are called on to do together in Him. We are to strive for peace with each other; we are not to allow bitterness, which saps our joy, to seep into our relationships and our hearts; we are to maintain our purity and challenge each other to do so. It is possible to keep our joy, but like a race, it is not always easy. We just need Him and one another with the goal set before us.
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