The letters of first and second Timothy are full of practical counsels from Paul in order to encourage Timothy to persevere in proclaiming the Gospel.

Although I can apply all of them to my life, there was one in particular that caught my attention because I never really paid attention to it:

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 2:1

Be strengthened in the grace? It felt like I had never read it before. This strength is explicitly achieved by depending on Christ and the Holy Spirit. Being strengthened by the grace is to surrender to the power of Christ. Saying to yourself, “Christ will work through my life and I will be only a tool of His will.”

Although this may seem contraty to the current society, which preaches independence, relying on Christ makes me stronger.

Persevere.