When You're Discouragedনমুনা

STAND!

Maybe you’ve been praying and believing God for something for a long time with no results. Maybe you’re facing people or problems that just don’t seem to have an answer. That can be discouraging, right? It can make you feel like quitting, giving up.

But don’t do it! That’s exactly what the devil wants you to do – throw down your faith and quit. It’s the only way he can stop you. So, no matter what things look like right now, my best advice is: don’t quit – keep believing God! Your Heavenly Father is faithful. He heard you when you prayed (1 John 5:14). Your answer could be right around the corner, so it’s vital to keep going and keep believing.

My spiritual father used to say, “If you’re prepared to stand forever, it won’t take that long.” Ephesians 6:13 tells us to take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. So stand!

I learned how to stand when my first husband died suddenly at age 37, and I had to take over pastoring our church and raising our teenage sons by myself. There were times when I was very scared, and it looked like my prayers weren’t being answered. But, I would read that verse and picture myself standing. I would say, “Devil, you just hide and watch. When the smoke clears, you’ll see me standing there, arms raised, with the victory!”

Remember this, you have all the power of heaven backing you. When you don’t see your answers and you’re tempted to be discouraged or quit, double up on your Bible time and speak out God’s promises. Faith comes from God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Soak your spirit in it and say what He says until His promises are more real to you than your circumstances. Then, refuse to quit.

I like the old saying, “Quitters never win, and winners never quit!” In his inspiring poem, “Don’t Quit”, Edgar A. Guest says it this way: “You can never tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems so far; so stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit – it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.”

The Bible says it this way, Don’t grow weary in well doing, for at just the right time you will reap if you don’t quit (Galatians 6:9). When you keep standing, refusing to quit, your faith in God can see you through every time.