Friends, when hardships come (and they will), let’s not give up! But when I say, “not give up”…I’m not referring to us being stronger and more self-sufficient! That’s the opposite of what I’m exhorting here. Self-reliance is often the shovel which digs our pits!
On the contrary, we need to abandon the authority we arrogantly (and often naively) assign to ourselves. The “I’ve got this” banter we used to claim was the cry of that dead person we used to be…Not who we are anymore! In Christ, we are brand new creations! (2 Cor 5:17) And even our new identity is a gift from God! “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
Sisters, let’s lay every circumstance down at the cross and leave it there. And when temptation calls us to pick it back up,…PRAY! Sing a hymn of praise to God in that moment! Not an ode that magnifies your own strength and perseverance, but words which glorify God, alone! Friends, God’s got this! He loves us more than anyone ever could…plus, He’s God! We should trust Him!
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
Psalm 40:1-3
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29
In His strength and for His glory (Soli Deo Gloria)!
Love,
Mer
Hold Fast 