Most things that are worth doing will push and stretch us out of our comfort zones, and sometimes this effort will cause us to feel weary and even tempted to quit.
This weariness is especially noticeable when it looks like we’ve failed because failure is what many people are afraid of. However, I believe any of our so called failures are not the end of the world, and mistakes we make as we seek to fulfil our goals are proof that we are choosing to move forward and hopefully learning along the way.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising up every time we fail.”
I’ve had my share of failures and subsequent weariness, from feeling like I could have done better with our kids, other relationships, leadership, ideas I’ve worked on and just life in general. But I’ve also learnt a lot of lessons on how to keep going and not quit!
Don’t Quit….
1.Learn to rest, not to quit. Seek balance – work hard, but remember to have fun, rest, recharge, and prosper your soul. Discover what brings you joy and refreshing. Jesus set this example for us when He encouraged His disciples to come away from the needy crowds so they could all rest awhile. (Mark 6:31)
2.Stop looking at the problems. Jesus said there would be problems, but He also said He had overcome them. Don’t keep looking at the problem or what everyone else is doing or saying – look at Jesus and believe Him! “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
3.Stand firm –be persistent, tenacious, act and think upon who God says you are and what you are capable of in Him. Sometimes we have to dig deep into who we are, and God’s strength in us, and stand firm!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” ((Philippians 4:13),
“If God is for us who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31)
“Put on the full armour of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
4.Choose your words – Having six babies, I know what it is to be so tired I felt physically ill. I’d say, “I’m so tired” all the time. But then God started to tell me to stop saying I’m tired and to speak positive, energising words. It worked! I’ve endeavoured to remember to speak only what He said about my body, my situation, my future, family, nation, and His plan for my life. “He says, “Let the weak say they are strong” (Joel 3:10). Our bodies listen to what we say, and all of creation responds to faith-filled words. Discipline yourself to speak the promises in God’s word because “He is watching over his word to perform it! (Jeremiah 1:12)
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 13:3)
5.Choose friends well – when fighting weariness, we need to have friends who will be there alongside us; who will listen, be willing to reach out to help, pray with faith, encourage and spur us on so that we will not give up! “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour, for if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
God is faithful and promises to give strength to the weary and help us keep going so that we will reap a harvest in due time.
“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, those who wait for LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”(Isaiah 40:20-30)
Are you feeling weary or a failure today? Then look up, learn from your mistakes, take a rest and prosper your soul, turn to Jesus for strength and help, and keep going; and don’t you quit!
“Let’s do it – full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps His Word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshipping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 The Message Bible)
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give and renew my strength. Help me to remember to look to you, to rest when needed and to keep going. In Jesus name Amen.
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