Persevere

I mentioned in my first post here that we had been through a very rough year and a half.  It's not over yet.  We're still praying for a miracle.  Most of the time I'm pretty optimistic.  I like being the person who smiles all of the time and who likes to laugh.  I love laughter.  Sometimes though, especially when I wake up in the middle of the night, I succumb to despair.  There have been moments when I thought I just couldn't handle anymore. I would curl up and cry and ask God, "Why?  Why do I have to go through this?  I've tried to do everything right."   Have you ever felt that way?

It's been during those times that I've been reminded of a few things.  First of all, I'm not the only one going through a hard time.  It's amazing how God has brought other people into my life to love on me and support me and my family.  Secondly and most importantly, look what Jesus went through for me.  I KNOW he didn't deserve it.  He was everything perfect and kind and good.  He endured for me.

That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are small and won't last long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.  So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  ~2 Cor 4:16-18

I also like what Charles Spurgeon says about difficult times, "Though the harrow go over and over your soul, and the deep plow cut into your very heart; though you be maimed and wounded, and left for dead, yet if the Spirit of God do it, it is a blessing indeed."

I have to keep reminding myself to not give up.  God has a plan.  Recently a friend made this sign for me.  I hung it in my bathroom so I'd see it right before I went to bed and first thing when I awakened in the morning.  It's a reminder to me.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1:2-4

Persevere

Keep enduring.

I will continue to wait on God.