Tell me, please:
Have you ever found yourself, or do you find yourself now, in the days of struggle?
Or are you living in the days of glory?
No matter your answer, do you know what I have to say?
Life is like the beats of our heart, shown on a heart monitor:
Literally a mountain, full of ups and downs — or downs and ups.
Nice to meet you, I am Gilberto Reis, and I bring you a word from God to bless your life.
Days of Struggles, Days of Glory.
Let’s begin with the reading of the Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 7 and 8, which says:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
From now on, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day.”
Think about how much life is a journey.
A race that requires faith, endurance, and focus.
Full of highs and lows.
At the end of his life, the Apostle Paul does not speak of riches or earthly achievements — he speaks of a race well finished.
“I have fought the good fight” — that means there were struggles.
“I have finished the race” — that means there was perseverance.
“I have kept the faith” — that means there was victory.
Paul understood that every struggle he faced was part of the path that led him to eternal glory.
Let’s go through three important points — stay with me until the end and feel the presence of God already shaking your heart!
Because I already declare the Holy Spirit visiting you right now and bringing light to your thoughts.
First Point: Days of Struggle — The Training Field of Faith
Romans 5:3-4 says:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
The days of struggle do not come to destroy us, but to shape us.
It is in the desert that faith is tested.
It is in pain that character is formed.
As Billy Graham once said:
“The mountain is not conquered only by the strength of the legs, but by the strength of the heart.”
God allows trials not to punish us, but to prepare us.
Every tear shed, every prayer made in silence, is a seed planted for the victory that will come.
Second Point: The Race of Life — It’s Not About Who Arrives First, But About Who Doesn’t Give Up
Hebrews 12:1 says:
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
In the race of faith, we do not compete against each other.
The race is individual — the prize is eternal.
While the world celebrates those who arrive first, God celebrates those who remain faithful until the end.
As John Wesley said:
“Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world.”
These “hundred men” are those who do not stop in the middle of the race, even when tired, because they know that glory awaits them.
Third Point: Days of Glory — The Victory of the Faithful
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
After the struggle comes glory.
After the cross comes the crown.
After the valley comes the mountain.
Billy Graham once said:
“Glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
The secret of Christian victory is not the absence of falls, but the decision to keep running.
The reward is not earthly — it is eternal.
And the righteous Judge, Christ, awaits at the finish line to place the crown of life upon the head of those who persevered.
See, glory belongs to the perseverant — and you are one of them!
Paul finished the race because he never lost sight of the goal.
And the goal was Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 says:
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Yes, there are days of struggle.
But there are also days of glory.
Each battle is a step in the race.
And in the end, those who remain faithful will hear the voice of the Master saying:
“Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
If you find yourself lost, stop for a moment and cry out to the Lord Jesus.
Ask Him to forgive your sins, accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life, and decide to let Him change the direction of your path.
Let us pray:
Lord, strengthen us in the days of struggle.
Teach us to run with faith, to look to You when tiredness comes,
and to keep our hearts full of hope.
May we not lose focus on the eternal glory that awaits us.
I give You my life now — be my Lord and Savior,
and let the direction of my life belong completely to You.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Thank you for being here with me.
May God bless your life abundantly.
Share this message with as many people as possible.
A big hug!
