Digging Deeper: Work Out Your Salvation
“Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:12-13 (CSB)
WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION
When my mother-in-law died, I couldn’t even process her passing because my mother immediately fell ill. Then, eight months later, she also went to be with Jesus. Layered grief is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I tried to read my Bible, but I couldn’t understand any of it. I couldn’t listen to praise and worship because I couldn’t stop crying. And if I’m being fully transparent, I was disappointed with God’s plans for my life.
Elizabeth Elliott often said in her talks, “Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is, just do the next thing. God will meet you there.” When life feels a lot like you’re living in a snow globe and everything is turned upside down, it can be tempting to walk away. But the enemy of our souls is never closer than when we suffer.
“Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:12-13
There is no checklist for getting through hard circumstances, but we must continue to work out our salvation. Here are a few things that helped me:
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Continue to lift your eyes to Jesus. I found it helpful to listen to podcasts and sermons that pointed me back to Him.
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Surrender. This is hard but necessary.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-3
Oftentimes, my prayers were simply, “Jesus, I trust You.” I had no idea what He was doing in my life, but I knew He was faithful. -
Wrestle with what you say you believe.
“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
Find someone to walk alongside you who will continue to point you to Jesus. Don’t suffer alone! NorthStar pastors can help guide you to the right ministry to help you hold fast to Jesus. -
Stay teachable.
“Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.” – Psalm 86:11
We often do not have because we do not ask (James 4). So, ask the Lord to teach you how to glorify Him in this hard season.
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.” – Isaiah 50:7
All I can tell you is that Jesus is near to the brokenhearted, and the cleft of the rock is real. It’s the only thing that makes the heartbreak beautiful and purposeful. What once was the valley of the shadow of death, I now see as the valley of vision—a place to see Jesus.
Determine to see Him in this hardest pain.
Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders, and Collins. She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.