The articles on this site are filled with words of encouragement for those who struggle. I have often asked the Lord, “It seems all I write about is struggling and getting up when knocked down. Why must I write such posts?” As I pondered the reason, it came to me. When we get a win and are flourishing, what need is there to read such encouragements – our hearts are light and we are walking in a place of overcoming. Alas, when seasons of struggle or challenges come, this is when we could all use lifting up. This is the purpose for this blog – to lift up and give hope those who are called by His name; and to introduce those who do not yet know The Way, The Truth, and The Life – Jesus Christ.
We, as the Body of Christ, can encourage one another through posts we make on socials, websites, handwritten notes, songs we write and sing, words in person, or in creative ways the Lord will inspire you to share. How encouraged I have been when hearing from the readers of entries or even sentences within posts that brought their hearts encouragement. Thank you for sharing these, for they are very uplifting. Some days I wonder if the posts I’ve made over the last 10+ years have made a difference to anyone, then I remember, it doesn’t matter, my only act of obedience is to share what the Lord bids me to share. The outcome is up to Him. Even if one person in all the world were encouraged by one phrase of truth from all the posts made, it would be well worth it. The Lord does not measure the number, He sees the heart.
Considering getting a win…something I’ve observed in the last decade or so about the times we are living in – discouragement is rampant. Some people’s hearts can be discouraged by a hard circumstance, by an imagined situation that could occur in the future, by words or actions from others who aren’t what they should have been, or even suggestive thoughts from the enemy such as “you can never succeed, measure up, or live the life you imagined or define as success.” You are not alone if you feel the futility of trying. Beloved, know that these are all strategies and lies from the enemy to get us to give up hope in God and stop trying. Let us now say, “We live in uncertain times, what is the use?” Beloved, mankind has lived in uncertain times since the fall of man with Adam and Eve. But God redeemed these times when he came in the flesh as the baby in the manger, lived a sinless life, offered Himself on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins to bridge our separation from God, and died and rose again the 3rd day triumphing over all the enemy’s plans to keep us separated from God, and now is our Lord and Savior who has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us until we at last see the One we have lived, breathed, and long for when our races on earth are run.
The enemy would have each one of us rutted in the discouragement of our circumstances, believing there is no hope and the time of being lights in this world are long past…but the Lord would have us strengthen our faith and walk on with Him, be lights to the world no matter how dark it seems or is. Our eyes should not adjust to the darkness, they should look clearly at the Light of the World – Jesus Christ!
There is nothing too difficult for God, there is no place you can be separated from His Love and tender mercies, He sees you, He knows you, He calls you to rise up and walk.
The Lord would always have us looking up to Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith and push on. Never give up! I often encourage myself, “Do what He bids you to do, try what He bids you to come out of your comfort zone and try.”
We never know what the Lord will do in and through us unless we are willing and obedience vessels – offering all of ourselves everyday even in the smallest efforts/actions.
There is not one way to describe this phenomenon of following Him and the impact it can make. Perhaps we called to send written letters of encouragement to those we don’t even know if they will read or receive it, maybe we are called to start a business or new venture and we can’t see the impact or outcome of how this small move of faith can impact those in the future or even beyond our years on earth. What if our only calling was to be still before the Lord a certain time each day and pray as He leads for a specific person or cause. What if he was calling you to speak up in a public forum or even in saying specific words to someone you didn’t know. These are all areas that make us break out of our self-imprisonments of what we think is possible or normal and redefine our scope of operations as the Lord sees it.
When you get a win from responding to Him, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant the action, rejoice and put your hope and delight in the Lord. Avoid the temptation of getting puffed up and thinking it was in your strength you made something happen or accomplished a goal. Isn’t that exactly what the enemy will do to believers – if we are discouraged we are discouraged from even trying – if we try and succeed, the enemy tempts us to be prideful about it. Give God the praise and stay humble, for the Lord despises the proud but gives grace to the humble.
The struggle is all the result of the fall of mankind (back with Adam and Eve). Beloved, this wrestling match does not mean something is lacking in you – for you are not crazy, you are called. A seasoned, anointed Pastor once said, “if the enemy doesn’t tempt you to be double minded, he’ll tempt you to second guess yourself.” There are pitfalls on every side, but the Lord saves us from them all as we put our eyes on Him. The Lord desires us not to be defeated, but to get a win.
In this context, I’m defining a win as following Him and knowing you gave your all to what He called you to do – in a moment in time. These build up over time and create the story of your legacy. Whatever age or circumstance you find yourself in now, start and let the Lord swell your heart with joy by following what He said to do, you will surely knock it out of the park!