13 Reasons To Keep GoingSample

GOD’S WAYS AREN’T YOUR WAYS

“Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” – The Princess Bride

If you’re in a bad place today, a place that hurts, that makes you want to quit, a place where the pain is almost too much to bear, where the circumstances seem impossible... welcome to the club. We all feel that way from time to time. But there is light at the end of that dark tunnel. God knows about your situation and your pain. He cares about you and your life. And He has something to give you: encouragement.

If you look in the dictionary (or do a google search), you’ll find that encouragement means giving someone support, confidence, and hope. That’s what God wants to do for you today. In fact, He has already done that in the Bible.

Inside this ancient but amazingly relevant book, we find the stories of a full spectrum of people – a wide variety of personality types, occupations, classes, people groups, situations, and attitudes. Yet they all have one thing in common: like us, they can easily get discouraged, depressed, and feel like giving up.

Moses is a good example. Before he was used by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he wanted to give up. He wanted to give up at several points in his life when circumstances didn’t meet his expectations.

In the second chapter of the book of Exodus, we read the story of Moses’ birth. It is followed immediately by the story of his first failure. In an earnest, yet misguided attempt to deliver his people, he killed an Egyptian. When he was found out, he was terrified of what would happen and fled to the desert of Midian. It would be 40 long years before he returned to finish the job he started.

As you read over Moses’ story, try to put yourself into his sandals. Imagine giving up on your dreams and ambitions for 40 years. Imagine getting to a stage in your life where, you assume, you are too old and the idea of freeing the Israelites was a mistake. And then, imagine God showing up in a burning bush to revive that desire and send you back in His timing, His power, and His might to accomplish that task.

The Bible tells us that God’s ways aren’t our ways. His timing is different too. Just because things aren’t working out like you expected doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that it’s the end. If you’re still breathing, God’s not done with you. Your life has purpose and meaning. 

Remember this: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Call on Him now.

PRAYER: Tell God what you’re disappointed about. Tell Him about the pain this has caused you. Tell Him how confused and brokenhearted you are. Then ask Him to encourage you. Trust Him to reveal and accomplish His purpose in your life.