Super Mario Brothers

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Have you tried playing the computer game "Super Mario Brothers"? In this game, the main character "Mario" fights his way through virtual worlds primarily by "jumping" on enemies or avoiding enemy attacks. If a second player wants to play, Mario gets an accomplice, his brother Luigi.

It would take dozens of tries to get through a level. Each character has a limit on lives, but when one runs out of lives and the other doesn't, the former character gets a "continue" and five more lives so the game carries on. With persistence, all of the levels can be beaten.

This is very similar to the spiritual battles we face as well. Maybe it's a temptation, hardship or something else. We fail to respond in the way God would want us to and the enemy wins out. But, God gives us grace so we can try again. We might not succeed on the next time, either, but God continues to give grace. We may need to ask a friend to join us in our battle when we find difficulty beating a level in Mario.

The two key points here are persistence and grace. If God has allowed us to face a battle, He wants to see us succeed and He will provide everything we need for that. When we fail once, He isn't just going to give us something easier - that would be like re-playing a level that you've already beaten.

Instead, He wants us to persist until we defeat the enemy. In order to do that, He gives us a never ending supply of grace. Having that is not a reason to not try harder, just like having never-ending lives in the game doesn't mean the players won't keep trying to move forward.

*Father God, thank you for your never ending grace. Thank you that you use trials to refine us to be more like you and that you don't give up on us when we fail. Please strengthen us for the battles we are facing now and the ones to come. Teach us persistence and help grow in us desire to move forward on our journeys with you. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Blessings Daily Devotional – WB Journal