GN: Our Lord urges us to keep on trying

Knowing that we have failed many times to improve our lives may be quite discouraging. Our inability to free ourselves from our favorite sins may keep us from persevering. But despite the difficulties involved, we should not quit because God never gives up on us. Our Lord urges us to keep on trying.

GN: It is never easy to resist temptations.

It is never easy to resist temptations. While we desire to be good, our compulsions can lead us to acts that we will later regret. On our own, we are helpless. Fortunately, we don't need to face our struggles alone. Our Lord actively works with us as we strive and persevere to live exemplary lives.

Don’t Quit

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)

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If you’re discouraged because of God’s delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is NOT a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come – yet – that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer or that he’s forgotten you or that he doesn’t care about you. It simply means “not yet!”

Spiritual maturity is knowing the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

The delay may be a test of your patience. Anybody can>No, he does it to show you how patient you are. So you’ll know what’s inside of you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.

If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.

You may be going through difficult times right now and feel like dropping off the planet. You’re discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”

But you can.

You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit.

Don’t quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before you.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

GN: Be persistent

If we examine our problems closely, we may discover our biggest handicap doesn't come from the outside. Rather, it may be from our own attitude of resignation and defeat. Our God inspire us to persevere.

Lord, strengthen me as I strive to do my best in life.