Hop On The Not Giving Up Train

People, society, sometimes even yourself will try and knock you down and pull you back all your life. I am not saying the world is against you. There will be those you stand by your side always. What I am saying is that we will face adversity. Every one of us, no matter what we try to do, will face troubles and challenges. Someone won't like our product. Another will criticize our project. Someone will say our dreams are far fetched and will never work. Other will say our dreams are too simple and small, you need to reach further. Some may bash your goals, dreams, prayers, and aspirations into the ground entirely. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT listen. Put your hater earplugs in and block them out. Turn your ears off to irrational, frustrated, hurt voices and close in on Jesus. This is hard. And hard is even an understatement for some of us. It will take a whole life time of continual practice because sometimes we are in seasons where our hearts and minds are heavy and we are more susceptible to negative thoughts and commentary. Sometimes this may be easier when we are in a season where we are joyful and excited and ready to ignore any hateful comment that comes our way because we are confident in what we are doing.

Sadness is not always constant but we find that confidence is not either. What is constant is Jesus. And what of this thing, this project, that people are bashing or you are doubting? What if Jesus put it on your heart? Pursue it. You know, I am not always sure what may path is! But I'll never know until I try and pursue something, whatever is on my heart and mind. If it be God's will it will happen.

Now, do not mistake this for it will be easy. I have come to learn that if it is, in fact, God's will it will probably be harder than what we expected but it will still come to pass. Sometimes the path we think is correct is not and that is ok. Remember, Jesus is still constant and He still has a plan for you, it just may be different than what you thought.

How do you know to keep trying or if changes need to be made? Honestly, that is a tough question. But here is what I have learned so far. Look back on whatever it is you are doing. Has there been victories? Or has there been dry land for years on end? Further this, is it dry lands because you have not been searching and working (tough questions I know but we genuinely need to ask and consider these things)? Or is something lacking because you have searched far and wide and reached for every opportunity you could with not even the tiniest hint of forward progress? Now, when so many doors have been shut that is truly up to you and your unique circumstances to decide, "Is God trying to show me something else or is the devil trying to get in my way?" Sometimes this is easy to pick out and other times we have to think deeper about it. For me, personally, I typically think too much about these things. I am an over thinker at my core. It is ok if you have to think long and hard on it and pray about it. Pray continually, God will guide you.

If you feel a change of path or pace here me when I say this, that is ok. Just because you change your mind and try something else does not mean you are quitting. Simply shifting. You are not giving up. Whatever you choose, wherever you are lead, do not give up.

When I am afraid or find it hard to see what is ahead I look up at the night sky and look at the stars (even when they are covered by smog or clouds they are still up there shining like they are meant to, we just cannot see them). When I see the stars dotting the night sky I remember God and that He promises to always be with us, even in the dark times. Especially in the dark times!

I want to share a little story. Just the other day I was going through my overflowing tub of unfinished typed or hand-written stories. I keep them all for future use and inspiration. Well, I found a list stashed in that too small tub. A little list scrawled out with the items in one color and my stars to mark each new item in different colors. There was no date on this list but it had to be two to three years ago at least, maybe a couple more. I read through the list and found I could check four off. Now, this was a huge accomplishment because I struggle with lots of feelings of fear and anxiety that run very deep (There is a reason I specifically say feelings instead of just fear and anxiety but that is completely different blog post!). If you asked me around the time I wrote the list if I truly believe I would have accomplished these well I would have said yeah but deep inside I would feel myself say, "NO! Are you crazy? There is no way." I would go on to feel dejected and disappointed in myself. But I kept pressing on. the truly crazy thing is, completely forgetting about the list, I accomplished some-not all, I am still a work in progress-of these things. Is that not incredible?

These things I accomplished that I never thought I would?

Choosing a college.

Getting my drivers license.

Smiling at people when I walk by them.

Think back. What is something you've gone through and made it through. Something you never thought you would. What is a goal you accomplished? Even a small one. If you truly cannot think of any that is ok! If you are really in a situation where you do not think you will make it through, you will. I will believe it for you. Email me with a prayer request, connect, that is what email is for! My friend, it is never too late to catch a ride on the Not Giving Up Train.

You can do it. And when you do not have enough faith for yourself you can borrow mine. Borrow the faith of a loved one who has faith in you, who has faith for you. Remember, Jesus has a plan for you. We see this promise in a Bible verse-many actually but I will leave you with one. Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

Cling to His truth today. You've got this.

Lots of Love,

AVA