“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6:9
It’s not easy to wait for the reward for all our hard work. The results. Or at least some teeny tiny glimmer of them. Not easy to persevere, to press on, to keep on keeping on – no matter how many motivational sayings we collect on in our journals or on Facebook or Pinterest.
Especially when what we’re working for, fighting for, believing for, hoping for, praying for has eternal significance. Eternal consequences. Life-changing ramifications. For us or for our children or grandchildren, our neighbors, our friends, our church, our community, our country.
Some of the battles we face are deeply personal, and for that reason all the more critical – and at times all the more overwhelming. Some of the battles we face are global, and for that reason all the more critical – and at times all the more overwhelming.
It’s easy to get discouraged. It’s easy to give up and give in. Easy to allow ourselves to become numb or to pretend that we don’t see or we don’t know or we don’t care.
Easier than facing what feels like a losing battle day after day. Or at the very least an interminable wait. (We’ve heard this movie ends happy, but the bad parts seem to be going on forever!)
Today I want to encourage you to hang in there. Hold on. Don’t walk out now.
You aren’t powerless to do anything to change things, to move the plot forward. Your efforts have made and do make and will make a difference – even if you can’t see it right away.
- Remember what you’re called to and who or what you’re fighting for. Why it’s so important. Don’t get distracted by side issues or controversies or debates. (Titus 3:9) Keep the main thing the main thing. If it helps, write out in a sentence or two what your purpose is or what you’re living for, praying for, believing for – why you get out of bed every morning, why you do what you do. Stick it on the bathroom mirror, the dashboard, by the computer or over the kitchen sink.
- Remember who has walked this path before you. Yes, the men and women of God whose stories have challenged and inspired you, the mentors who have set a godly example for you. But especially this One: “Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart…” (Hebrews 12:3 AMP) Keep your eyes on Him.
- Remember what He has promised… There are so many precious promises in His Word you can cling to, but here’s one for today: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.” (John 16:33 AMP … and that He who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
- Remember what the darkest days mean: “Difficulty is actually the atmosphere surrounding a miracle, or a miracle in its initial stage. Yet if it is to be a great miracle, the surrounding condition will be not simply a difficulty, but an utter impossibility. And it is the clinging hand of His child that makes a desperate situation a delight to God.” ~ L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert 10/14 “Behold, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:20)
- Remember to rest, refresh your spirit, renew your heart and mind. Turn off the news, turn off your phone, your computer. Spend some time alone with Jesus. Spend some time with your family, your friends. Spend some time in nature. Do things that give you space to breathe, to be still, to escape the bombardment for a little while. Sip a hot apple cider. Giggle with your grandbabies. Squeeze a friend. Count your blessings, remember all the victories, the miracles, the harvests from years past.
And look up… our redemption draws nigh! (Luke 21:28)
