Tuesday, July 29, 2014

31 Days of Joy: Keep Going

“It is hard to beat someone who never gives up.”
― Babe Ruth



Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is life so difficult sometimes? When will I get my blessing? God can handle your emotions — He gave them to you, after all! So tell Him how you feel. He can handle your anger, doubt, fear, questions, grief, and even your complaints. Be honest; tell it to God. Get it off your shoulders. Spill your guts and tell God exactly how you feel. After you pray about it, get up and do something about it! Don’t look at the temporary problem; look at the long-term reward. Don’t look at the temporary pain; look at the long-term gain. Don’t look at it with the short-term view, “What’s happening to me right now?” Instead, look at the character that you are building because you haven’t given up. You’re hanging in there. God is more interested in what you are becoming in the process, than what you accomplish. So what are you doing while you wait? Take the first step. Don't quit, because a month from now you will be much closer to your goal then you were today. Consistency always pays off. It's like paying a bill off, each payment you make, the bill gets lower and lower until you completely finish paying off that bill. Doing good things consistently, will pay off later down the line. Read scriptures to encourage yourself to keep going. Make today count.

Focus Scriptures:
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long, but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Joy in Action Today:
Grab a sheet of paper and write a letter to God. Pour out your feelings and tell Him how you feel. Be honest. Fold up your letter, put it in a safe place, then pray about what you wrote. Thank Him for all that you have, then ask the Lord to help you deal with whatever issues you may be facing.