There are times when it's hard to keep going. You may be thinking, 'how much more can I endure?' or maybe, 'I've reached my limit.' If you've thought of giving up, this is the post for you! So, put your school books, paper work, and pencils and computer mouse down for just a few minutes. Allow yourself to recharge and be encouraged! Pick up your Bible and turn to Psalm 27, please.
Have you read it yet?
Psalm 27 is a great reminder that God is our fortress and strength. Listen to the Holy Spirit. What's he saying to you? Can you feel His encouragement?
After reading Psalm 27, go back to the first few verses, or any verses that the Holy Spirit highlighted to you, and meditate on them.
Psalm 27:1-3, "The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...^3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me; yet I will be confident." (ESV) I love those verses.
I wanted to give up... Semesters of struggling, semesters of discouraging grades, and events. That day I had made a mistake, hurt someone I loved, and I felt awful about all of it. I struggled in my college courses, and when I compared my performance to my performance in high school. I was very discouraged. Not only had I let down someone I loved, but I felt I had let God down. I felt like a failure, and questioned my ability to function as an adult.
I told God about what I was feeling and He was right there to help me. (Just as He is for you) He told me, through an impression, that He was there for me and ready to pick me up. He told me He believed in me, and to not give up. The Lord encouraged me and picked me back up.
God is there for you! He's waiting for you to reach out and ask for help. The moment you do, He is there to pick you up and set you back on your feet! You may feel like you have no encouragement, or that no one believes in you. Keep moving forward because God believes in you! God sees the end from the beginning, and He knows everything about you and everything you have done and will do. I believe in you, my friend. When you have no encouragement, ask God for encouragement. It's never too late!
So keep going! Move forward! Remember, change is a process. It’s like growing tomatoes. First, a seed is planted and nurtured. Then, slowly, you begin to see a sprout. After some more time you see the stem. Then, after more nurturing and waiting, more stems and leaves begin to grow. Finally, after continuous nurturing and patience, tomatoes begin to grow off the vine(s). Now, you must wait for the tomato to ripen. In the same way, a seed is sown (spiritually) in us that God is nurturing and growing. Like the tomato plant, what’s on the inside, will begin to show in its proper time. Be patient with yourself.
