I have been struggling through some hardship as this process has been moving forward and God’s story for my life is unfolding. Some do not think I am doing the right thing. They disagree with my decision to pursue the desire for the nations that God placed in my heart over 15 years ago. They don’t think I can survive. They don’t think it is possible to raise the money necessary to go in 5 months. The list of negativity goes on and on and on and quite frankly it started to pull me down with it. I felt like I was carrying 100 pounds on my shoulders.
Until I read this:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even through the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
It is so encouraging to hear the writer describe God’s wrath and anger and the consequences the land and people must pay, but finish by proclaiming the Lord’s salvation!
Verse 2 reads:
I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
There are so many times when we decide that we are going to complain, wallow in our suffering and soak in negativity. I absolutely hate these times when I get stuck in an endless pit of despair. It takes us making a choice to not stay there! We have to stand up and say,
“NO MORE!”
We have to believe that God is faithful to bring us through any circumstance and that there is NO experience, good or bad, that goes without purpose.
Every thing we go through is either a direct consequence of our actions or an opportunity to learn and grow so that we are better prepared for the things to come in the future. I just want to encourage you, wherever you are, to trust that God is bigger than any circumstance and will bring you through it and bring you to victory!
The definition of perseverance is: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc; especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.
This means that no matter what comes your way, you make a cognitive decision to push forward! You choose to fight and push back against whatever it is that is trying to bring you down and defeat you!
“Failure is not final. Success is not fatal. It’s the courage to pick yourself up and to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
Let God be your strength because you have none left. Let Him give you hope because yours has run out. Let Him show you what is on the other side of this seemingly infinite difficulty and pull you through it because through this hard time, you will be stretched and pulled in many ways but you will also be refined, transformed and renewed and stronger than ever for the next thing you will encounter!
“If you’re strong enough to deal with the pain of being mistreated, you’re also strong enough to let go and stand on your own. God created you to live in PEACE, not pieces!” Kimberly Jones Pothier
Psalm 18:30-36
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.
