UnshakeableSample

The Key to Not Giving Up

In my final semester of Bible School, I remember all of my friends telling me their plans for life—the wonderful opportunities that were ahead, both personally and professionally… but I didn’t know exactly where I was going after graduation. I moved back home, started seminary, worked at a restaurant at night, and served my local church during the day. I knew God called me to preach and pastor a church, but I had to patiently submit to God’s timing and trust Him through the process.

All of us will experience setbacks, disappointments, and letdowns on this road called life. One of the greatest examples of facing huge letdowns and roadblocks with resilience is Joseph from the book of Genesis.

Joseph encountered some serious, intense surprises and setbacks on his journey. In fact, if you study Joseph’s life, he had twice as many possible give-ups as he did opportunities, or go-ups. He was betrayed by his family at a young age—which led him to be forced into slavery, wrongfully thrown into prison, and forgotten for years. Yet when he encountered his brothers years later, Joseph said in Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Joseph also certainly made some youthful mistakes. He gloated over his dream, he lacked discernment when he spoke with his family. He paid a heavy price, but he didn’t give up. Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and to bounce back from difficult life events.

Here, we discover the key to seeing God turn our give-up challenges into his go-up opportunities for growth and progression: trusting God is working absolutely everything in our life for our good and His glory.

Friend, through patience, perseverance, and perspective – like Joseph – you will see your God-given dream come to fulfillment!

As you engage with God’s Word:

● What is God saying to me?

● What does it mean to me?

● How can I apply what God is teaching me?

● How can I be specific in prayer today?

After you reflect on these questions, bring everything to God in prayer. To discover more faith-building resources like this, I want to personally invite you to sign up for my weekly devotional email today!