Hope and Perseverance


Tuesdays in Other Words Meme

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.

~ A. W. Tozer ~

I am a "seeking Christian" woman desiring to grow closer to the Lord. However, I struggle with "taking God as He is". Though I tell Him daily that I want to do His will, I still resist totally surrendering my will and trusting Him wholeheartedly.

The reason that I want to hold on to some of that control is because my faith has not been perfected yet. I'm still working on having the kind of faith that is explained in Hebrews 11:1 - Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.


I have my days (like today) where I wonder if things will really get better. I have ideas about how God may use me in the future. But, will my life improve to the point where these things can become a possibility?

The enemy would want me to believe:
  • Too much time has gone by, things aren't going to get any better.
  • God was going to use me, but I blew it and missed my opportunity.
  • By the time I am able to serve God in that way, it will be too hard physically and emotionally for me to do it. Just let another Christian do it.
  • I've already tried hard enough and I am exhausted emotionally. Just let it go and do something easier.
But the Bible tells me:
  • Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 1 Corinthians 4:17
  • God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose. Romans 8:28
  • I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering. Jeremiah 29:11
I need to keep God and His Word as my priority. I need to perfect my faith and continue hoping even though I don't see anything happening for years and years. The enemy would want me to give up. The Lord wants me to persevere - trusting in His ways and His timing.

Read more posts about this quote at Deborah's blog - Chocolate and Coffee

13 comments:

twinklemom said...

Lol...I'm burning the midnight oil here.

I really appreciate the honesty you brought in your post with the following comment,
"By the time I am able to serve God in that way, it will be too hard physically and emotionally for me to do it. Just let another Christian do it.

I've already tried hard enough and I am exhausted emotionally. Just let it go and do something easier.


I think one of the hardest thing to learn in our walk with God is patience....We are so use to seeing results and when it doesn't happen, it becomes a case of ...okay...why bother? Lol

We have an amazing, patient and loving Father who must chuckle as He waits for us to learn what He tries to share with us.

I so appreciate your post because it is a wonderful reminder of the faith we must have in Our Lord.

Jenileigh said...

Oh thank-you for sharing this! Those were my thoughts today exactly. I knew the enemy was trying to pound me down and overwhelm me so that I couldn't see past the moment! This was truly a great devotion. God bless you!

Denise said...

Such an awesome post, bless you.

Miriam Pauline said...

Beautiful, honest post. Bless you for sharing.

A Stone Gatherer said...

So True! Thanks for the scripture reminders! Keep trusting Him, and it's never to late! We shouldn't listen to satan, but remember what God says in his word! Praise Him!

Natalie Witcher said...

I'm always learning to grow in my faith.

Hey, that free book! I LOVe that book. My brother and sister-in-law are about to go work with Gospel for Asia this summer!

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Shari, have you been reading my journal?????? Boy, how this post "hit home" and spoke directly to my heart. Thank you, Shari for your honesty.

I am so glad you were blessed by "Shackles!" I woke up Sat. morning and HAD to find the CD (took me a long time!) and I had to listen to it, then I HAD to blog it! you know, the "unpeace" you feel until you do exactly what God wants you to do??? I might have thought, this is silly- trying to find the "right" pic. of shackles and copying/pasting lyrics. But, I just had to do it!

I am so thankful it blessed you exactly when you needed it.

Shari, you are truly a blessing!
Sisters in Christ,
Tracy

Anonymous said...

right on :o) thanks for sharing

Joyce said...

Awwww, I loved what you wrote. Don't we all feel that way sometimes? Like every day? I guess we are all human then aren't we?
Great big God....little bitty me. Well, little bitty sized....umm....never mind.
I always appreciate your heartfelt renderings on your site.
Shari, I looked for your "soap box" Sunday....did I miss it? HA!
I was ready to jump on it with you.
:~)

Robin Meadows said...

Hey, Shari. I'm learning more and more to just "rest". I'm still not sure what that means, but I'm finding that God is using me in SPITE of myself! I've only got two left at home now...it DOES get easier!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

What a powerful post.

I think SO many of us struggle with the same things.

Thanks so much for your heartfelt post...it is certain something I needed to hear today.

Kim~

Carol Van Atta, Princess Warrior said...

Thank you for your candid and transparent sharing. I can soooooo relate. In fact, sometimes fighting the good fight can grow tiresome. I've been in the same place lately. Let us remember: All things are possible in Christ.

SheriYates said...

I want to know Him more deeply and intimately everyday! Just know Him!