Some days I feel like throwing in the towel. I weary of trying to love others. Holding hope in my heart is hard to sustain.
Maybe my kids respond grumpily to my cheerful “Good morning!” A little air escapes my balloon of joy. Maybe a phone call hangs me on hold and results in more questions than answers. I feel frustration rise, killing the peaceful attitude I planned to keep.
I feel defeated.
I don’t need to give up!
Most troubles are not what they seem. My kids aren’t against me, they are my own flesh and blood. Maybe, by asking God to keep me from defensiveness, He will use me to meet their heartfelt needs.
“…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
Those medical bill phone calls are a way I show love to my husband. Though I can’t take away his pain, I can do this annoying job. And God uses it to build endurance in my soul. So much the better!
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel…it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45, 47, NIV).
When I remember Who fights my every battle, I avoid falling into the enemy’s trap. In this world, all sorts of troubles tempt me into grumpy and unloving attitudes.
I don’t want to give in. God’s way works! I can bring Him my challenges and find the strength to keep on going.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory…God gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 57, 58).
With Jesus, defeat is defeated! I can stand strong when I remember
the battle belongs to the LORD!
It’s easy to get discouraged and frustrated with ourselves and with others. Thank you for these scriptural reminders!
I particularly like the, “With Jesus, defeat is defeated.”
Such good reminders. Apparently the word stand is in the NKJ Bible 249 times. I think sometimes we would rather be moving than standing, seeing more forward progress, but so often God is the one moving He wants us to stand and watch.
Five Minute Friday #9
that is all true…. God’s power makes all the difference. FMF10
Defeat is defeated. Love it!
Thanks for sharing these encouraging reminders.
(Looking forward to reading your book when it comes out.)
Some days I just throw in the towel
when it is no longer clean,
so, before it gets too foul,
I open the washing machine,
toss it inside (sometimes it’s urgent!)
and get the water flowing in,
add some bleach and some detergent,
and start an agitating spin.
When the day is warm and fine,
I eschew the rumbling drier,
and set my towel upon a line
(in winter it dries by the fire)
to be again all clean and bright,
ready for the coming fight.