Some days are hard. There are many times when you may feel like giving up. Honestly, I’ve had numerous times like this myself. Probably too many to count. Moments when I just feel weak, tired, alone, and like I don’t have the strength to continue.
[Photo from Pinterest]
It is in those moments that I am reminded…I can’t do this. Not on my own. It is in those moments that I am reminded of my great need for God. And then I am thankful. Not thankful for the hard times, necessarily, but thankful that because of them, I am drawn closer to God. And that is right where I want to be. The cry of my heart is that I become so consistent that I remain completely dependent on Him, whether in the lowest valley or on the highest mountaintop. I never want to come to a place where I feel like I can do it on my own. That is a dangerous place to be. I always want to be 100% reliant on God.
This morning I woke up feeling defeated. Have you ever had one of those mornings? The day hasn’t even started yet, and you feel like you’ve already lost. That was me this morning. As soon as I opened my eyes, my mind was flooded with things I had to do, things I wasn’t doing well enough, negative comments that others had said about me, and negative thoughts I had about myself. Even the dreams I had in the night, as silly as they were, were of me failing. I realize this was an attack, it was spiritual. But boy, it is hard to press forward when your morning starts like that.
And then I spent some time with God, and everything I read and heard was a reminder that He is with me and here to help…
“Thank Me for this time of neediness, when you must depend on Me more than usual. Do not waste this opportunity by wishing it away. Trust that I know what I’m doing–that I can bring good out of everything you encounter, everything you endure.” Jesus Today by Sarah Young
“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31 NLT
“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” – Romans 8:28 NLT
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” - Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9 NLT
I am so thankful that God encourages us, right when we need it most. I share all of this with you today with hope that it encourages you too. I know that I’m not the only one who deals with discouragement and struggles with wanting to give up at times. We all have moments like those! And I’m sure today won’t be the last time I deal with this. The key is not to avoid these moments (because I don’t think that’s possible), but when they do come, to set our eyes on the One who gives us strength and to continue and persevere knowing He is by our side!
“Never give up! Never surrender!” – Galaxy Quest
