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First Victories Won in the Home, November 11
Victory in the Conflict
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus.... Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1-3
In all that pertains to the success of God’s work, the very first victories
are to be won in the home life.
Beyond the discipline of the home and the school, all have to meet
the stern discipline of life. How to meet this wisely is a lesson that
should be made plain to every child and to every youth. It is true that
God loves us, that He is working for our happiness, and that, if His law
had always been obeyed, we should never have known suffering; and it
is no less true that, in this world, as the result of sin, suffering, trouble,
burdens, come to every life. We may do the children and the youth
a lifelong good by teaching them to meet bravely these troubles and
burdens. While we should give them sympathy, let it never be such as to
foster self-pity. What they need is that which stimulates and strengthens
rather than weakens.
They should be taught that this world is not a parade ground, but a
battlefield. All are called to endure hardness, as good soldiers. They are
to be strong, and quit themselves like men. Let them be taught that the
true test of character is found in the willingness to bear burdens, to take
the hard place, to do the work that needs to be done, though it bring no
earthly recognition or reward.
There is no greater curse upon households than to allow the youth to
have their own way.
Temptation once resisted will give power to more firmly resist the
second time; every new victory gained over self will smooth the way for
higher and nobler triumphs. Every victory is a seed sown to eternal life.
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