Feeling Like You Can't Continue On?

Encouragement raises our head and alters our countenance

John Wooden, a famous and successful basketball player and coach left us with this bit of inspiration, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Have you ever felt like you cannot go on one more day having to carry the burdens that are weighing you down? I sure have. More than once I have declared to anyone who might be listening – I can’t do this anymore. I am done.

Amazingly enough, I am still here, still pressing on, still moving forward. I have learned that even when I am so completely weakened that it seems like too much effort even to breathe, I still have a little more. Just enough to whisper two words. God. Help.

Simply living life in this broken world can be a daily challenge. Work is hard. Kids have needs. Relationships are complicated and sometimes confusing. Appliances, cars, plumbing, lawns need care and fixing or replacing on a regular basis. Not enough money, not enough time, not enough energy. We are having trouble just keeping up.

And don’t even get me started about the news! Some days I’m convinced this world has lost its mind. It seems upside-down and all mixed up.

We need some encouragement. According to the Oxford Dictionary, to encourage means to “give support or advice to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.” Encouragement breathes life into our souls. Encouragement straightens our backs, lifts our chests and strengthens our hearts. Encouragement raises our heads and alters our countenance. I want to encourage you today with these thoughts.

God is delighted to help you.

My little granddaughter is nervous around the big white rooster. She wants me to hold her hand when we go outside. Holding someone’s hand helps us to feel safe and confident. It demonstrates reassurance and support.

I really like this scripture. Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (NIV) Wow, holding hands with God! He understands your struggles. He is near. He is on your side. He wants you to experience victory.

God is thinking about you.

Have you ever received a gift that was just so “you”? What a thrill to know that the giver gave extra thought to who you are and what you would like and enjoy.

God is that giver. He knows every little want or need. He knows what will delight your heart. His thoughts about you never pause, even for a moment. Psalm 139:17 assures us of this. “How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!” (TLB)

I once sent a talking card to my step-dad. The front stated, I’m thinking about you! When you opened it, it “said”, Are you thinking about me, thinking about you, thinking about me? I’m thinking about you, thinking about me, thinking about you. In his nineties at the time, Dad didn’t quite get the sentiment. God could have sent you that card. He has been thinking about you, thinking about Him all along.

God made you amazing.

You are God’s favorite! Before you were born, He knew who you would be. Before you were born, He had a plan for your life. You are His masterpiece. You are amazing. There is no one else on the planet who is like you, who can talk like you, who can think like you, who can love like you. You are in the right place, at the right time. You have the children who need you. You have the husband who needs you. You have the family and friends for whom you are just right. You are enough.

Psalm 139:14 confirms these facts. “I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works (this means you!) are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.” (GW)

Someone once said, “Yesterday is heavy. Put it down.” So, whatever was, even moments ago, let’s put it down and begin again, encouraged, heartened, lifted up, with the knowledge that the Almighty God who created all that is, is on our side. He has everything we need to succeed. Forget what you cannot do. Let’s just get started doing what we can, with gusto.

I’m rooting for you!

Hugs and Love, Kathleen