Hold onto the towel!

From time to time we all feel discouraged. We feel like throwing in the towel and just giving up. What’s the use of persevering?

Perhaps you are feeling that way even today. Maybe you want to give up on your marriage. Perhaps your adult children have turned away from God, or you have a teenager in the midst of rebellion. Maybe you find yourself at a financial dead end. Or it could be that the doctors have not given you a favorable report. You want to escape but none can be found.

In the midst of all our trials and the shortcomings of life we sometimes even want to give up on God. Why are these things happening to us? Does God even care? We withdraw from going to church; we stop praying and reading our Bibles. It seems that hope is lost, and our faith is fading fast.

What should we do in moments like these? How should we respond to the speed bumps of life that stop us cold? With only a mustard seed of faith, look to God.

• [8] He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
  1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV)

The Lord will strengthen those who are weak, so don’t try to make it in your own strength. But that’s not all! God will also keep you from sin. We can know that with God’s help we will one day stand before the Lord blameless and pure. Though we feel like giving up, God never will. The Lord is faithful.

Stop and reflect on the goodness of the Lord. Don’t dwell on the negative thoughts that so easily fill your mind. Push them aside and choose to remember what God has done for you. As you do let praise begin to fill your heart and overflow. Even if you don’t feel like it begin to praise the Lord and give Him thanks that He is faithful to the very end. God will never give up on you.

• To all who mourn . . . [or just feel like giving up], he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.
  Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

So you don’t feel like praising the Lord. Act on faith and let the Lord fill your mouth. He will keep you strong to the very end and help you overcome. Hold onto the towel. As a matter of fact wave it as a victor's flag with the sound of praise. What do you think?