The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
There will be new opportunities in the near future, so don’t give up now
Have you been going through times of sorrow or despair? Do you feel like just giving up?
Sometimes, every day can feel like an uphill struggle. Perhaps, you have feelings of regrets or hopelessness. Exhausted, your motivation may be depleted. Now, since nothing is changing, you’re about to walk away from your heart’s dream, shortchanging yourself, just settling for ‘good enough.’
But, good enough isn’t good enough for you. Recently, I read that even Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun, wanted to quit at various times in her life.
When Mother Teresa was searching for a place to house her ministry, her initial years were difficult, and she was full of self-doubt. Mother Teresa’s task was overwhelming. Once, she wrote in her diary, “I wandered the streets the whole day. My feet are aching, and I have not been able to find a home.” Then, pessimistic, inner thoughts were telling her, “Leave all this, go back to the convent from which you came.”
There were obstacles she couldn’t seem to overcome. And when Mother Teresa looked at her impossible situation, she could have seen all of the reasons why she wouldn’t be victorious.
Nevertheless, with no money or supplies, and despite misgivings, Mother Teresa was confident that God would provide. Mother Teresa didn’t let fatigue get her down. Nor, did she focus on all of the distractions, the difficulties, or the setbacks until she lost her vision and settled for less than God’s best calling for her life.
With resourcefulness and humility, Mother Teresa found the strength to keep on going forward advocating for those in need. She trusted in God and persisted in faith as she tried to help the poor, starving, and dying. Daily, she devoted herself to the service of others. And eventually, Mother Teresa did find a place for her work and founded the Missionaries of Charity.
Over the years, the Missionaries of Charity grew. Caring for the “poorest of the poor,” the Missionaries of Charity feed the hungry. They give medical attention and treat patients by the thousands. In addition, they care for and countless world Mother said, “God require succeed; requires try.”
Regardless of the challenges you face, don’t let anything cause you to lose heart and quit. Last weekend, I cleaned out my closet. It was in disarray, and at the halfway point the closet looked worse than when I started. Clothes, jackets and shoes were everywhere. After that, it would have been very easy for me to just stop and think, “I will never get this job completed.” For often the most difficult part of any task is midway through it.
Frequently, that’s the way it is in life: We get midway through a project, and all we can see is the mess. Then, we may get frustrated, lose sight of all the progress we’ve made and stop. Many times, God has handfuls of blessings for our future; however, we don’t take steps ahead because we are stuck in the hurts of the past or held back by fears or uncertainties. But don’t give up now. Never allow a delay, a rejection, or disappointments prevent you from persevering. Hold onto and pursue the dreams of your heart. And, like Mother Teresa, “In due season you will reap, if you do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9).
Possibly, you have been inundated with a series of unexpected and unfair blows. Yet, your dreams and goals can still come true. You have special gifts and abilities. Expand your range of possibilities. Go further. Don’t wait. Do more. God will take what unfairly transpired, turn it for your good, and “restore the years that the locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25).
Maybe you are overwhelmed with worry, and nonstop doubts are casting a shadow over your future. Look beyond the present moment and let your faith guide you onward. Pray and persist. God is with you, and He has something amazing in store for you and “He will lead you to triumph.” (2 Corinthians 2:4).
You might be weak or weary. But God is going to ease to your suffering. You will prevail over obstacles and emerge far better off than before. Therefore, keep on holding strong. God is at work right now to give you, ‘Beauty instead of ashes,’ ‘Joy instead of mourning,’ and ‘Praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit.’ (Isaiah 61:3).
A while back, a friend of mine had to undergo a medical procedure. Months before, she was told that this type of procedure had never been done before. Rather than having panic set in, my friend turned to God. She prayed with expectancy, anticipated positive results and, indeed, the procedure turned out to be a success.
In the same way, God is about to do something in your life that has never been done before. And similar to my friend, it will be a great success. Hence, “Trust in the Lord,” (Proverbs 3:5). “Wait on Him,” (Psalm 27:14) and, “You will be blessed.” (Isaiah 30:18).
In the Old Testament, there’s a story about the prophet Elijah. They were in the middle of a huge drought, and Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel to pray for rain. As he was praying, Elijah told his servant, “to look toward the sea” for a sign of rain. The servant went up and looked. He said, “There is nothing.” There were no clouds in sight.
Elijah, empowered by his unwavering faith, spoke to his servant, “Go again!” Yet, the servant came back uttering, “There is nothing.”
After six negative reports of no rain, Elijah still believed that the rains were forthcoming. There were no ‘giving up’ thoughts on Elijah’s mind. He continued confidently praying, waiting, and expecting. He kept sending his servant to look to the sea, for Scripture tells us, “Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go again.’” Nonetheless, there was no rain.
Still, Elijah hoped and anticipated big things from God, even though there were no apparent signs of anything happening. Thereafter, miraculously, the servant saw a little something. The sky became dark with clouds, and there was rain. (1 Kings 18:43-44).
In His time, God poured out His favor upon the land. And what God has been able to do in the past, He can still do today.