Mike Browning

Tag: Perseverance

  • It Ain’t Over Yet

    It Ain’t Over Yet

    It’s not your job to keep it fair. Stop worrying about it.

    Proverbs 11:31 says:

    If the righteous receive their due on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

    This feels straightforward, and it matches how we want the world to work:

    You reap what you sow. What goes around comes around. Justice happens. People get what they deserve.

    The problem is: that’s not what we always see.

    Some people who treat others poorly seem to be doing great. Meanwhile, people who really try to do things the “right way” seem to run into every roadblock in life.

    And of course, we always assume we’re the righteous ones — and everyone else is the ungodly.

    But let’s slow down a second.

    First:

    You’re only seeing the highlight reel of other people’s lives. Whether it’s social media or public reputation, you’re not seeing the whole story. A lot of the time, people who look like they have it made are carrying more struggle than you know.

    Second:

    Why are we so sure that we are the righteous ones?

    If you’re honest, you fall short all the time. I do too.

    We all do.

    So maybe some of the “unfairness” we experience is just us receiving what is actually owed.

    Although thankfully, that’s not the whole story.

    Because Christ paid what we couldn’t.

    But here’s the real point:

    Proverbs (and most of Scripture) speaks in principles, not instant transactions.

    Wisdom literature describes how the world truly works, not how it looks in the moment.

    So when Proverbs says the righteous will receive their due — it doesn’t necessarily mean right now.

    And when it says the wicked will receive theirs — it doesn’t always mean today.

    It means: God settles accounts. All of them.

    Just not on our timeline.

    Jeremiah asked God directly:

    Why do the wicked prosper?

    And God’s answer was basically:

    You’re judging the story before it’s over. I’m not done yet.

    So instead of worrying about how “unfair” life looks:

    Quit keeping score. Quit comparing.

    Quit assuming you’re the good guy and they’re the bad guy.

    God sees everything.

    Everything will be dealt with. Perfectly.

    In His time.

    Not necessarily the way you think it will be, or think it “should.”

    (and that’s to our benefit if you think about it for even a second)

    Our job is simple:

    Trust Jesus.

    Do what He says.

    Let God handle everything else.

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  • It Ain’t Giving Up And Going Home Time

    It Ain’t Giving Up And Going Home Time

    Things often seem like they’re never going to change. But we can’t give up.

    For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
    — Hebrews 3:14

    Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard we pray or try to do what God asks, nothing moves the way we want.

    Family members get sick. Friendships don’t work out. Bad people seem to get all the good results — and enjoy them right in your face.

    Other times we get what we were hoping for… just not for long.

    The new job or promotion doesn’t fix everything. One problem gets solved, and a bigger one shows up in its place. The political fix that was supposed to change things turns out to be more of the same.

    It’s frustrating. And it’s understandable that people would want to throw their hands up and quit.

    But we mustn’t. No matter how pointless it feels, we’re called to keep doing what God asks.

    Even when the results aren’t visible yet.

    That’s faith — believing in things not yet seen.

    Trusting that the result is coming, even when it looks impossible.

    It can seem like there’s not enough. But there is.

    I have an old friend who lives out of state. We send each other videos of the sermons we hear at our churches.

    His pastor’s style is different — he’ll punctuate sentences by calling out someone’s name in the congregation, like he’s speaking straight to them.

    The first time I watched one, I was still getting used to it. And then it happened:

    “It ain’t giving up and going home time, [friend’s name]!”

    It made me laugh, and I’ve texted that line to my friend ever since. But the more I think about it, the more I realize — that’s pretty good advice.

    Because just when things don’t seem to be working out, that’s when faith matters most. We can’t quit.

    Not because we think tomorrow everything will finally go our way.

    But because one day, things will be so much better than we could ever imagine.

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    PS – I’ve been saying recently it’s wise to keep a physical copy of the Bible.

    Reading the Bible won’t save you, only faith in Jesus does that. But it will help you understand God (and yourself), and can only lead you in the right direction.

    Reading or listening electronically is great—until the power or the connection goes out.

    Will that happen? Maybe not. Could it? Sure.

    It’s a risk you can remove easily and cheaply.

    You can buy one here on Amazon

    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy something—anything—after clicking that link, I may receive a small commission. It doesn’t change your price.