Giving Up
Thursday, June 22
Giving Up
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
How many times a day do you want to just throw in the towel? Just give up and walk away from this journey we are on with Christ? We think everything will be easy when we follow Jesus. We’ll have no more struggles, no more pain, and no more temptation. That will be true in heaven but on Earth, we will experience suffering and pressure to sin. This reality can sometimes make us want to give up. You are not alone in feeling this way and I want to remind you of the power that lives within. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you! Do not believe the lie that you are unqualified, unloved, unworthy, uneducated, or unskilled. The truth is, you are not any of these things, and you are loved!
Today you might be looking at your life and all you see is failures. Yes, we may fail to meet our own standards, and yes, we may be right. But God says to you, “well done for trying! I will pick you up. I am a God of restoration, forgiveness and support. Let’s try again and you will find it gets easier as you keep going.”
If you are tempted to give up today, or if you compare yourself to others and only see the problems, why not let the Lord speak words of encouragement to your heart? “I love you. You are precious to me. You don’t have to be like everyone else. I will help you and carry you over the obstacles that you see. I will be your strength today.”
Prayer for today: Loving God full of mercy, it’s true that sometimes I look at my life and see failure. But help me not to see myself as You would see me. You say that I am loved, I want to feel that. You can that I am special, help me to discover that. You call me the apple of your eye, help me to know that. Thank You that You are on my side, encouraging me today. Help me not to measure myself by the world’s standards. I look to You. Help me today and give me Your strength. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.