We Can’t Get Tired Now!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Day after day, week after week, year after year, no matter how much we attempt to do to change what happens around us, we don’t see the change we want to see, but we can’t get tired, now.

Though adversity after adversity confronts us, wearies us, and angers us, we must keep doing what we know is right–guided by Holy Spirit--maintaining our hope in Him who is the Light who dispels the darkness.

Even when we are walking in the Light of Love, we must guard our hearts and recognize the wolf in sheep’s clothing or the smiling faces who hide the poison in the conversation. Not every smiling face is a friend and when we look closely at the eyes–those orbs that reflect the depth of the soul, we know who is a friend and who is the enemy’s tool.

Every day we wake, we will face some known and some unknown challenges. Many we will overcome, but there are some that drain us dry, leaving us weak and wondering why we bother to continue. That’s life–we can’t take it personally and we must never get tired of trying to do the right thing. When we are weak in our strength, we can count on Him to strengthen us. When our thoughts attempt to defeat us, we have to encourage ourselves in The Lord.

Living for The Lord is not easy, but it is gratifying beyond the description of mere words. Those who don’t understand cannot fathom why we keep on the path He has set before us. They participate in the scorn and ridicule and wait for us to become as they are and when we don’t–they are confused, while we just smile and give God the glory!

If you’re like me and have been facing all sorts of challenges–physical, emotional, and spiritual--praying fervently for those in need, while it seems that no one is praying for you; strengthening yourself in the Word just to keep from going off on those around you, mumbling to keep from saying the wrong thing since words once spoken can never be retrieved; and living in the hope we have in Jesus–don’t get tired now!

When people say all manner of things about you that aren’t true–just thank God for them spending so much and attention on you. You really matter to them! When your body acts like it belongs in a morgue, speak life to your body and tell it to get up and get going. When your heart hurts because people disappoint you, focus on the One who never disappoints. We have an advocate in the midst of every trial and temptation and His name is Jesus!

Until He returns, we are victorious in Him on this side of heaven, so we can’t get tired now!

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Don’t Get Discouraged!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24 NIV

If we pay too much attention to those around us who are always complaining, always negative, and always finding fault with others–if we allow their noise to infect our spirits, we become discouraged. We have to shut out the noise of bitterness and complaining and fault-finding and encourage ourselves in The Lord!

When we understand that people have neither heaven or hell for us–we don’t have to pay attention to them or we certainly should not consider their opinion of us–we can work–diligently–knowing what we do, The Lord sees and He will reward.

I have discovered in life that no matter what we do–we will never please all people all the time. So, I’ve learned to not consider what people may think (unless I value their opinion) and do what is right in the sight of The Lord. There is a peace that settles in my spirit when I know He is pleased with what I do, no matter what others think.

Pleasing people–who are fickle-minded and subject to change as quickly as Michigan weather–is a waste of time. I’m not saying we should not do what we’re supposed to do–especially in situations of a job or in a role of responsibility. I’m saying, as long as what we do–we can be assured that we have done our best to get it right and do what’s right–we shouldn’t worry about people. I have been in situations where those in authority expected me to cheat and lie and I refused. I have been in situations where people thought making fun of cultural differences was acceptable and when I refused to join in the stupidity, I was ostracized. None of them mattered because I knew right from wrong and would not veer from doing right.

On this journey in life, we have to know who we are and who we serve. We have to be secure in the knowledge that no matter no people do, we will not shame God by being disobedient to Him. When we know who we are–nothing moves us from God’s Truth. When we know our role in life is to please Him, what others think won’t matter. And if there comes a time when we start to doubt ourselves–we look to The Word to encourage ourselves–to keep doing things God’s Way.

We see people like Kim Davis and Tim Tebow who refuse to bow to popular opinion and we watch their persecution when they remain steadfast in their beliefs. Many of us are being persecuted on a smaller scale because we will not succumb to being like those around us when they prove they do not honor God with their living. I don’t know about other people, but I keep talking to God–seeking His wisdom and direction in all things. I freely admit, I don’t always know how to handle various situations, but I know He does. And even when I hear Him say things that my flesh does not want to hear, I clench my teeth and obey.

Remember this–no matter what people do–Our God reigns and nothing by any means shall deter us from living our lives to please Him!