When you become righteous through Christ, you set yourself in full opposition to the world around you.

As a result, you face many challenges and obstacles in life. This is contrary to what most expect the Christian life to be like.

Without knowing what I am about to tell you, many Christians get worn down by life's challenges and become numb.

This stems from a belief that the Christian life won't be challenged. We imagine a life free from opposition, only to be discouraged when it never comes.

Here's what you need to know. Jesus didn't promise you a life without opposition.

He actually confirmed what Psalm 34 says: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Many challenges will come. But never be discouraged, because the Lord has a rescue plan each time.

He takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it for good.

Recommended Book → A Guide for Effective Prayer: Partner with God to Accomplish His Will on the Earth

Jesus was tough on one group of people.

It wasn't the sinners, the disciples, or the doubters.

He was only hard on the Pharisees.

Not because they were Pharisees, either. But because they made it hard to serve God.

While they worked hard to paint God as an impossible task master, they didn't even follow their own rules.

Jesus called them hypocrites, pointing out how they looked great on the outside, but were dead on the inside.

To the other 99% of people, He was still truthful, but in a merciful way.

Recommended Book → Love Hijacked: Return to Your First Love Before It's Too Late

One of the devil's schemes to hinder the body of Christ is to convince us that our contribution is too small to matter.

So, when the Holy Spirit stirs us to post something online, we don't do it because of our small following.

But that one person who would have seen it and been transformed, changing an entire family and generations to come.

Or, when our new business doesn't make a profit within a few months, we give up.

But if we could only see the millions that would have been generated in the years to come.

And this one most are guilty of, including myself. When we are stirred to partner with the ministries we glean from, the monthly amount we can give seems too small to matter. So, we don't give.

But consider this. If everyone on my email list became a monthly partner at $25, this ministry would have over $160,000 per month to further the Gospel.

Don't let anyone tell you that what you are doing is too small. Because when we come together, the impact is massive.

As Christians, we tend to put the emphasis on the wrong things.

A common one is doctrine. The importance of doctrine can become so inflated that we become prideful and sound like a Pharisee.

I find it interesting that Jesus never said, "They'll know you by your perfect doctrine."

What He did say is, "They will know you by your love one for another."

If we commit ourselves to both loving each other and being led by the Spirit, together, we'll sort out all the doctrine issues.

But if we become prideful and divisive, we are no help to the body of Christ.

The love of many has grown cold. Make sure you are not a part of the many.

Recommended Book → Love Hijacked: Return to Your First Love Before It's Too Late

I thought you had to participate every time discouragement would show up.

Until one day, the Lord taught me through His Word, which says, "Do not be discouraged."

For the first time, I saw it as a command from God rather than a nice idea.

And for everything God commands us to do, He gives us power through the Holy Spirit to pull it off.

There are plenty of opportunities to be discouraged. Don't take any of them.

Discouragement is a thief. It never helps us overcome. It brings no benefit to our lives.

Discouragement doesn't deserve even one minute of your time.

God places extreme value on one.

Over and over again, the Bible speaks of God's interaction with one person.

Abraham, Moses, Esther... just to name a few.

These people were not famous when God called them. They were ordinary people doing ordinary things.

So often, we overlook the assignment God is giving us because it looks too small or insignificant.

For example, many think that only large churches make a real impact. A pastor leading a church of a few is seen as insignifcant.

A mom who focuses on raising her children is seen as insignificant. A YouTuber who has just a handful of people watching their videos is seen as insignificant.

That thing stirring in your heart that seems insignificant to everyone else... that's the thing God is calling you to.

You don't need anyone else to confirm the significance of your assignment. God already considers it great, and that's all that matters.

Decide now to fully engage in what God has given you to do. Never give up.