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The Anxiety Cure

Anxiety seems almost inevitable when you consider all of the covid variants, mask mandates, vaccine debates, the Afghanistan debacle, the tragedy in Haiti, and the general political and social unrest that our country is experiencing. When you couple these things with the focusing of our attention on the daily struggles that are unique to our situation then it is no wonder why we end up being stressed, anxious, and tired. So, are we helpless and doomed to suffer at the hands of our own emotional state? Is our only course of action to accept our issues and do our best to cope? God did not leave us helpless, and in fact, He left for us a potent cure for the anxiety problem we are experiencing today. Let’s take a look at God’s cure for anxiety:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.—Philippians 4:6–8 NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing”—this is not a suggestion. This is not on Jesus’ “21 steps for living a better life.” He did not say, “do your best not to be anxious,” or “try to be free from anxiety.” He said, “Don’t Be Anxious”! This is a directive, a command, a decree of God. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS! God has never told us to try to do anything. He knows what we can do. He knows what we can’t do. So, if He says to do something, then that means you are fully capable to do it. We buy into the false narrative put on by the world that we are helpless to anxiety. The world, the unsaved man or woman, is helpless to overcome anxiety, and satan wants to convince you, through them, that you are too. This is not the case. Jesus said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV

Jesus left us with the same peace that He walked in—a peace that surpasses all human understanding. A peace that keeps you free, happy, and secure in the midst of life's greatest difficulties. Even this peace, the tranquility derived from heaven, has a command attached to it:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Again, this is not a suggestion. It is a command. The peace that passes all understanding is conditional on a simple choice not to let our hearts be troubled and afraid by what we see and hear. There is a battle associated with entering into peace or staying in peace. Yet, we’d rather let our thoughts and emotions control us instead of us controlling them. We’d rather play the victim in our lives and seek ways to cope with our unhealthy thought life instead of changing it. We’d rather medicate our weakness instead of meditate on God's strength. After all, if it is not our fault for having an unhealthy thought-life, then it can't be our responsibility to fix it…

The key to overcoming anxiety resides in the verse Philippians 4:6–8:

Prayer:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

Thanksgiving:

with thanksgiving,

Request God's help:

let your requests be made known to God;

Then what happens as a result?

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And finally, what keeps us in that perfect peace?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

We are to pray, give thanks, request God's help, and control our thought life. Prayer connects you to the Source of all hope and power. Any and every situation holds no sway over the King of kings. He supersedes every authority. So then, anxiety is evidenced by our out of touch estimation of the problem in comparison to the magnitude and awesomeness of our Father God. When anxiety attacks, quiet your soul with praying. Talk to God. He is your Father. He loves you and will help you. There is comfort in His arms. Whatever is causing you anxiety in your life is no match for God.

The second thing you do to remove anxiety from your life is being thankful. Thanksgiving

comes on in many forms. The most prevalent way is praise and worship. It’s hard to feel anxious when you pour out your love before the Father while praising and worshiping Him. When you are caught up in His presence, all problems seem to melt away. Thanksgiving can also come out as an expression of faith; you can laugh at the thing that is causing anxiety. Laugh out loud and begin to thank God for His joy, even when you have feelings to the contrary.

Thirdly, “supplications,” or requests, are simply asking God to help. This is a part of prayer but not the only part. Prayer is communion with God, and too many times, people think that asking God for help is all prayer is. The moment you begin praying, don't ask God for something, praise God for something. Set the tone with thanksgiving. Then talk to Him, as you would to a friend. Then bring your issues before the Lord. It is less about a ritual or formula on how to pray, and it is more like applying common sense for how to have a conversation or relationship with someone to prayer. Once you let God know what you need help with, anxiety gives way to His peace which surpasses all understanding. And you garrison a wall around your heart and mind with that peace through Christ.

Lastly, it is up to us to stay in the peace that God has given us. You should not feel convicted or like a lesser Christian if you battle anxiety. Anxiety, however, is a defeated foe, and you should not yield or succumb to it on a daily basis. If you take medicine for it, continue to do so, but begin to take God's medicine with it. Begin to monitor what you are spending your time thinking about. The Bible lets us know what to think on:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

You cannot meditate on the problems and issues of life all the time and wonder why you are always battling anxiety. You have to replace those worried, fearful, and anxious thoughts with God's thoughts expressed through His written Word: the Bible. Refocus your thoughts on how big God is instead of how big the issues are. Trust God to take care of you, even when things look bleak. Lean on His help when your needs are dire. Victory over anxiety is ultimately up to your choices—not your genetics or your environment. Choose Peace.

Good News - Even in Afghanistan

You have cause to smile today! There is good news for you! It almost feels wrong to hear and say such things during a time of tragedy. We believe we should all pray for our brothers and sisters being persecuted in Afghanistan and for the safe evacuation of our soldiers, American citizens, and those who have helped us while we have been in Afghanistan. However, this prayer should not be done in fear. Even still, though believers are being persecuted and may lose their lives in Afghanistan, it does not change the fact that God has good news for you and for them. Look how the disciples responded to torture and persecution:

His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. —Acts 5:40–42 NIV

The disciples left rejoicing after being beaten! Furthermore, all the disciples except John were eventually martyred because they did not stop preaching the name of Jesus. If they had to do it all over again, do you think that they would do it differently? They answered that for you when Paul conveyed his heart’s desire:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. —Acts 20:24 NIV

The worst thing to happen in this life is not death. The worst thing to happen is to live without Jesus. Pray earnestly for your fellow brothers and sisters, but not out of fear. Pray with a joy and a smile. God is so faithful to His children. He has not left a single one of them alone. This is the good news, both for those under fire now, and also for those who do not currently reside in a hot zone. God is with you. God is not stretched in His power or fretful over the condition of the world. In fact, I believe He is still searching like He did in 2 Chronicles:

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. —2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT

Whatever issues you are experiencing, big or small, now is the time to lean into Christ. Now is the time to trust the Lord with your whole heart and depend on Him fully. Regardless of what problems you are experiencing in your heart, mind, health, finances, family, or job, the good news is God has the solution. Believe it! Don’t be concerned to bring your problem to the Lord while big things are going on in the world. Don’t feel under condemnation for having joy and peace when the world is in chaos and the storms of life are raging. You can smile even while hearing the world’s “bad news” because you choose to believe another report, God’s report, and God Himself calls His report “Good News.”

But those who wait for the Lord, who expect, look for, and hope in Him, shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. —Isaiah 40:31 AMPC

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

It’s simple, really. God loves you very much.

He never wants you to feel worried about your future, about your kids, or about your circumstances. He wants you to trust Him with those things. He never wants you to be depressed or in despair. He wants you to take refuge in Him. He never wanted you to be alone; He traded the life of His most precious Son, and all the suffering He had to endure, just so you could have a relationship with Him every day on this earth . . . stretching into all of eternity. God has given us all good things and desires nothing more than for us to accept His gifts, run into His arms, and be His child. Quit letting your heart be troubled by what you see and hear, and let your heart be comforted by the words of our Father God.

There is no mistake you have made, no sin you have committed, that is more powerful than what Jesus did for you. There is no place that His love can’t find you. Depression, despair, and fear have no claim on your life. Worry, anxiety, and stress can’t exist in the presence of the peace left for you by our Lord and Savior. God is with you, He is for you, and He will help you through His Word. There is a freedom, a comfort, a hope, a strength, a healing, a security, and a quiet confidence that is obtained and maintained through the life-giving power of the Word of God. It rewrites the mistakes of your past with the successes of Jesus’ past. It places a new identity within you, puts a powerful force to work for you, and bestows blessings upon you. Dare to give in to the life-giving Word of God. Dare to let go of the fear, worry, and anxiety. And finally, dare to let not your heart be troubled.

Here is a prayer you can Pray whenever you are faced with troubles:

Lord, I ask for Your help with keeping my heart safe. I know it’s up to me to protect my heart, but I ask for Your help to discern the good from the bad. Teach me the way I should go. If there are things that would desensitize me to Your voice, or things that are potentially harmful to my heart, I ask that You would tell me so that I may choose You over it. I cast all my cares, all the weights I have carried, and all my confusion on You, Lord. I relinquish my problems and all the mental anguish that comes along with them into Your capable hands. I choose to live freely and lightly in Your loving embrace. Thank You for Your help. Amen.

Here are some Scriptures to meditate on:

“Peace I leave with you; My own peace

I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the

world gives do I give to you. Do not let your

hearts be troubled, neither let them be

afraid. Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated

and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to

be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and

unsettled.”

—John 14:27 AMPC

Guard your heart above all else, for it deter[1]mines the course of your life.

—Proverbs 4:23 NLT

My child, listen and be wise: keep your

heart on the right course.

—Proverbs 23:19 NLT

And finally here is an encouraging poem to lift up your spirits:

Let not your heart be troubled

by Deborah Ann

Let not your heart be troubled,

let not worry start your day

for Jesus came to give you

a new and peaceful way.

Let not concern unsettle you,

let not stress take its toll

for Jesus is here to calm you

and give quietness to your soul.

Let not your mind be burdened,

let not anguish weigh you down

for Jesus you can depend on

His tranquility is all around.

Let not your spirit fail you,

let not despair be what you feel

for Jesus desires your whole heart

to restore ~ so He can heal.

Let not your heart be troubled,

let not it be afraid today

for Jesus will bring you peace

and your anxiety will fade away.

This Entire Post is taken from our Book:

Paint In Every Shade

On your worst day, it is somebody’s best day. On the day you lose somebody you love, someone else gave birth to somebody they love. When you lose your job, somebody else just got their dream job. Often, whatever we are personally going through tends to paint the colors of life in that perspective. When we lose someone we love, we are reminded of so many things: the fragility of life, the lack of control, the things we would do differently, and so much more. Our lack of understanding is highlighted, and the grief-stricken tears are plentiful.

However, it would be a shame for any life event to paint over all of the vibrancy in your life, and it would be a shame to force those colors into another’s life. To only see through the eyes of grief instead of also seeing through the eyes of wonderment at the miraculous sight of a baby being born. Or, on the other hand, to see only through the eyes of happiness, and to bark “cheer up” to a hurting person because things are going well in your life. We can take a moment to listen, and then look at what colors they are painting and recall when we used those same colors in our lives.

What we experience adds to the canvas of life. You can’t ignore it; dark colors will be added to the canvas. In fact, the greatest lives ever recorded have a great deal of that shade. (Three quarters of the New Testament was written from prison by Christ’s disciples! And Jesus was noted to experience sorrows.) However, what made their lives great was that they could cry with a loved one, tear their clothes, and put ashes on their heads, but they could also praise God for His goodness and enjoy a grand feast! Don’t look at the birth of a child and tell the mother to hold them close because one day they may lose them; tell them to bask in the joy of every phase of their child’s life—to hold them close because it is the most rewarding relationship you can experience. Recall the vibrant colors of your time spent with your loved one that has passed.

Finally, allow yourself to paint in different colors and to look at the whole canvas, not just a section. You may be working on a bright section, or a dark section, but take time to look at the whole canvas. This perspective is the gateway to living the life of an authentic Christian.

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Philippians 4:12 KJV

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

Romans 12:15 KJV

A King Does Not Look Away

There are issues in life. There is hunger, pain, grief, turmoil, sickness, and death. Many afflictions can be found both in the heart and flesh. These are not the root issues that we face, however, just mere fruit growing from the same tree. The tree is sin; and its roots are made strong through fear. Too long have the righteous stayed silent. Too long have they who hold the light, seen the darkness, and yet... remained still. We have enjoyed the fruits of Christ’s labor, and lived in the abundance of His peace and joy. Along with salvation, we also inherited a title, a position, and ultimately, the family name as adopted heirs. This is only one age; there is another age to come. It is an age when we will reign as kings and priests underneath the King, Jesus. But we do not have to wait until that great age has come to take up the mantle of king, that has been bequeathed to us by the King of kings. We are the kings that He is the King of. And there are certain traits that a king possesses, certain duties a king must perform, and ultimately, a royal, immovable conviction of will to protect his people.

In order to protect his people, there is one thing that a king can never do: look away.

He must stare into the eyes of the people dying of diseases, poverty, starvation, and corruption. He must look the problems in the eye and use his authority to apply the remedy.

We have sacrificed our convictions, our morality, and the source of our strength in a devilish manipulation at achieving the "greater good." Homosexuality is evil and a sin. People identify themselves with a sin that God calls foul and an abomination. They parade themselves into hell while we give them a fake love petrified of the persecutions that comes with living openly for Christ. We preach acceptance instead of repentance. Jesus never preached acceptance; He ate with sinners to offer them salvation—to offer them repentance. He always preached for them to turn from their wicked ways and follow Him. So why are we catering to sin and walking on eggshells around it. Of course, we want them to accept Christ, but sacrificing God’s law in order for them to get a chance at Christ is a stratagem from the enemy, not our Father. Let the Lord speak for Himself; when the miraculous manifests, there is no need for the greasy smooth talking of humanistic wisdom. We preach Christ, no more and no less. We are vessels unto honor, temples to house the Holy Spirit, and when we preach Christ through the Greater One who is in us, then none can stand against the wisdom of God.

We must quit developing our desires and appetites from the world. We talk like the world; we enjoy the entertainment of the world. We have traded our lives of intimacy with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit for a life of eating the pig’s slop of the world. We have made it a habit of finding humor in and filling our mouths with cussing and every sort of foul language. We overlook all of the sin in movies and support those who make them while they oppose God’s law. If we find pleasure in the same things as the godless world does, then what does that say about us? If we go to the same bars, drink the same drinks, party, and celebrate the same way that the world does, then where do our loyalties lie? Was grace designed to bring us this low—to leave us powerless and helpless in a world falling into darkness and chaos? Of course not! Grace was intended to lead us to repent, to lead us to Christ, and find our abode in His presence. We are to gather our appetites and desires from Him and His Kingdom, not from the kingdom of darkness. The stronger your unholy desires, then look where you have been spending all of your time at. It has not been with Christ. God framed the world through words, and through the same conduit, we enact our authority as believers and worship our heavenly Father. Are we to also use our mouth to speak as the unsaved man or woman—to find humor in sin and replicate their speech? Surely not!

Satan has all too successfully corrupted God’s message of Love and Repentance into Tolerance and Acceptance. But there is one thing that he is unable to corrupt. There is one source of truth for all of time and eternity. That is the incorruptible and infallible Word of God. It still stands strong as ever. Others may try to pervert its meaning, many may try to stifle its power, but ALL who seek Christ and truth will find Him within the Word of God. The Word still stands; the Scriptures still carry with them the same power from whence they were spoke. God still watches over His Words to perform them. He scans the whole earth looking to show Himself strong and faithful on behalf of those who are committed to Him. God has not abdicated the throne; He is still the presiding Ruler and Judge above all. Do not fear what they will say or what they will do. Love them enough to stand for truth, to stand for Christ, to stand for their salvation and repentance instead of welcoming their ungodly lifestyles into our society and into our homes. We have laid down for too long and claimed it was love when really it was cowardice. We have looked the other way as sin and evil has grown. We’ve sipped on the sin of the world for too long; it’s time to turn ourselves from the doctrine of mediocrity. We’ve pondered what is wrong and what is right, looking for the great dividing line instead of earnestly desiring to do what is holy and forsaking all things that remotely come close to requiring justification. Our works could never save us, they could never produce power, but our submission to Christ and to the gratification of our spirit above our flesh will always produce holiness and manifest the supernatural.

So, what will you do? Will you continue to shop at places who parade with “pride” over what God hates? Will you continue to support the industries that peddle every sort of sin and lawlessness? Will you play music, shows, and movies that are filled with filth and justify it? Convictions alone will not see you through the times ahead; turn to Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to help organize your life. You may have to change your desires, what you do for fun, but it is worth it; there is so much fun to have if you’ll trust God to see it. The peace and joy of a child of God serving God is more powerful than any tonic produced by this world. The evening air is quieter, the morning walk more vibrant, and the waves more peaceful. Living life God’s way is ALWAYS the best way, and if you’ll be patient and commit to living His way, then you’ll enjoy a life you’ve never dreamt that you could.

Don't Give Up On Others

Check out another chapter from our upcoming book release of: Don't Give Up

Don’t Give Up on Others

“Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

—Nelson Mandela

There is no pain quite like the pain of betrayal from a close friend, a spouse, or a family member. Betrayal is a devious thing. When we have let down our walls and exposed our hearts and innermost insecurities to someone, and then they take advantage of that trust, it cuts us more deeply, in a way that nothing else can. It makes us feel like we are inadequate, left behind, undervalued, and replaced—like a tool to be used and disregarded. In the wake of betrayal, we experience waves of pain, hate, and the desire for them to feel the same pain that we have experienced. The betrayal can haunt us through life, causing us to obsess over it and leading us to be consumed with the “why” that makes the betrayal especially gruesome. We become withdrawn, discouraged, and depressed, and we build a wall around our heart a mile high, never to let anyone in again out of fear of what they might do. It becomes easy to be perpetually suspicious of the motives of others, even when their efforts of kindness and benevolence are sincere. When left unchecked, your suspicion grows into full-on cynicism, causing you to lose your faith in humanity altogether. So, how does one face betrayal, the fear in one’s heart, and overcome the feeling that there is no kindness left in the world? The answer is simple: forgiveness.

You do not have the power to control the actions of others, but you do have the power to control how you will respond to those actions. Hate, unforgiveness, and cynicism act as a chain, tying you to the past. They doom you to relive the betrayal and see that betrayal everywhere.

Furthermore, in order to receive the Lord’s help and receive deliverance from the hurt you are experiencing, you must forgive. Hate or unforgiveness is never the answer. The Bible tells us that unforgiveness hinders our prayers and hate paralyzes our faith. As impossible as it may seem to forgive someone who has purposely hurt or betrayed us, it is possible with the Lord’s help, and it is an essential element to getting past the painful event.

There is power in forgiveness to break the chains of hatred, resentment, and hurt and bring deliverance and freedom to your heart. You can find comfort and peace in the Lord’s presence and in His Word. You will find strength, confidence, and encouragement in His Word.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be quick to forgive others, just like You have forgiven me. Help me not to condemn or judge others, even when their actions have hurt me. Help me to love them and pray for them. Help me not to let the betrayal and deception of others cause me to become bitter or vengeful. Heal my heart, and help me not to be judgmental or cynical toward others in the future. By Your grace and through Your love, restore my soul. Help me to let Your love, light, and life shine through me to those around me. Finally, help me to move on from the past and enjoy a wonderful life in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scriptures

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

—Ephesians 4:32

Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

—Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

—1 Peter 2:23 (NLT)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

—Luke 6:37

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

—Matthew 5:44

An Encouraging Story of Somebody Who Did Not Give Up on Others:

There was a lady who had to live through the Holocaust. She had to endure terrible acts of atrocity from the hands of her captors at the concentration camp known as Ravensbruck. One of these atrocities was to watch her sister die. Later, she would come back to a defeated Germany and preach to the people about love and forgiveness. A man pushed through the crowd towards the front, and as he stood there before the lady, she recognized him as one of the guards from the camp. He had since become a Christian and held out his hand to her and asked if she would forgive him. Her response:

“Still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion—I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. ‘Jesus, help me!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand, I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’ And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place . . . I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.”

-Corrie Ten Boom

Don't Give Up on God

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Don’t Give Up on God

“If God today told us what He’s doing in the world, we wouldn’t believe it. Don’t you think God’s given up and God’s abdicated and God’s left the throne. He hasn’t! He's still on the throne, and those of us that know Him put our trust in Him and Him alone. I don’t put my trust in Washington, I don’t put my trust in the United Nations, I don’t put my trust in myself, I don’t put trust in my money, I put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. When all the rest of it fails and crumbles and shatters, He’ll be there.”

—Billy Graham

Don’t give up on God, because He hasn’t given up on you. God loves you. God is for you. God is on your side. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross just so He could adopt you into His family. It is never God’s will for us to be in pain, sick, or lonely. God’s desire is to see you happy and full of joy. It is God’s desire to see you accomplishing your destiny with a sense of fulfillment and self-worth. It is God’s desire to see you flourishing and at peace. God wants His children to be blessed! Sometimes we are tempted to blame God when things happen that we don’t understand. The Bible makes it clear that we have an enemy that is against us. His plan is to kill, steal, and destroy anything good in your life. Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

It can be so easy for us to look at our lives and think that because we are in a difficult situation, it must mean God is upset with us or does not care about us. But God doesn’t see us the way most of us see ourselves! God is not mad at you! Regardless of what you have done, God is ready and willing to forgive you, restore you, and help you accomplish your destiny if you would just ask!

In order for Him to help us, we must believe and have faith in what He has said. We have to have more faith in what He said in the Bible than in what our circumstances are saying presently. Oftentimes, we give up our expectation of a better tomorrow because we experience hard times. We overcomplicate our relationship with God, and we begin to believe that the struggles we are experiencing are more “real” to us than God’s love is. God never promised us a struggle-free or a problem-free life. He promised us His help to overcome the struggles and conquer our problems.

No matter how hard you get hit in life, always stay on God’s side. God is the Source of our strength, our hope, our joy, our peace, and our life, and the worst thing we could do is forsake our trust in Him. Instead of blaming Him for your struggles, team up with Him and overcome your struggles!

Prayer

Lord, sometimes You seem far away. Sometimes it feels as if You do not hear my prayers. I know that You exist. I know that You love me. If I am being completely honest, however, I am struggling right now. I feel doubt creeping in about things I had once been so certain about. I know that faith is trusting You even when I do not sense Your presence. I am asking for Your grace and mercy concerning me. Help me to sense Your presence, to notice You and Your workings in my life daily, and to not be filled with so much doubt. I want to be close to You, to be the Christian whom I know I can be. I want to believe! I ask that You would make Your Word become progressively more real to me, so that I may know and understand, experientially, Your immeasurable love for me. There is no use in lying to You. You know that I have doubts, and I know that it takes faith to please You; so I am asking You to help me get to the place where my faith is big and my doubts are small, instead of the other way around. Fill my heart with Your joy and peace. Comfort and encourage me by Your Spirit. Make Yourself real to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scriptures

Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on his faithfulness. Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most. Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun. Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you.

—Psalm 37:3-7 (TPT)

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

—Matthew 28:20

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38-39

An encouraging story of a man who didn't give up

There was a young man wrongfully convicted.

He would spend eighteen years in Robben Island prison.

(Which was known for its brutal treatment of the inmates and less than humane living conditions.)

Yet, he did not blame God for his difficulties; he chose to have faith and hope.

He wrote in a letter to his wife, eleven years after being incarcerated, saying:

“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”

This man was set free from his wrongful imprisonment after twenty-seven years.

Many who knew him noted that he was a man of deep faith.

With his faith still intact,

Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa

Don't Give Up on Yourself

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Don’t Give Up on Yourself

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

—Martin Luther King Jr.

Disappointment, regret, and failure has affected all of us. If you have lived life on this earth for any amount of time, you will come to discover that no one has it all figured out.

Maybe you just don’t believe in yourself anymore. Are you feeling that you have let your loved ones down, let your colleagues down, and let God down? It can feel like you have no place to retreat to, effectively immobilizing you with a web of discouragement, self-doubt, and apathy. When you lose faith in yourself, you stop trying, because you don’t believe that things will ever change. Many of us have experienced what it is like to look in the mirror and see all our worst flaws, insecurities, and weaknesses. Although others would love for you to believe that they have all the answers and none of the problems, the truth is that no one but God fits that description.

So, don’t let others’ accomplishments or critical comments put you under condemnation. If you’ve messed up big-time, and often, then welcome to the club! God has not given up on you, so do not give up on yourself! God can restore your hope, fill your heart with His joy, fill your mind with His peace, and become your reason to live. Life has had and will have many challenges and obstacles for us to overcome. With God’s help, we can choose to smile through the pain, press on through the confusion, and accomplish our God-given destiny. Conversely, we can also choose to break down in the midst of pain and confusion, making life a desperate attempt at survival. It is our perspective, our faith, and ultimately our choices that determine the life we will live.

So, it’s time to let yourself off the hook and forgive yourself, because God already has! God has a plan and purpose for your life. Christianity is not the absence of problems; it’s a relationship with our Creator, who gives us the strength, courage, and fortitude to carry on. He provides us with the tools and companionship to overcome all of life’s difficulties. Do not let your past identify you and dictate your future. Let God define you and shape your future. The best part about it is, no matter how much we mess up, God tells us He will never leave us, never stop loving us, and forgive us any and every time we ask. Regardless of what you feel, or what you have done, it is time to believe in yourself again and refuse to give up!

Prayer

Lord, I know that I am a work in progress. Help me not to be so critical of myself. Help me to forgive myself for my sins and shortcomings, just like I know You have forgiven me. Help me to put the past behind me and focus on my life going forward. You know me better than anyone else—even better than I know myself. Help me to see myself as You see me. Help me to identify with what Your Word says I am in You. You say that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You say that I am free, made new, redeemed from my mistakes, righteous in Your sight, loved, complete in You, chosen by You, strong because of You, a light in the darkness, an overcomer, more than a conqueror, protected by You, and most importantly, Your child. Let me believe these things over what my situation or other people say about me. Help me get to the point where my life reflects the truths of who I am according to Your Word. Show me how to find my identity in You and not in what I do. Help my focus and my motives to always be rooted in You. Thank You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scriptures

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.

—2 Corinthians 4:1 (NLT)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

—Philippians 1:6

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.

—Isaiah 43:25-26 (NKJV)

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

—Psalms 43:5

An encouraging story of somebody who didn't give up on themselves:

There was a young lady who was demoted from her job as a news anchor because she

“wasn’t fit for television.”

She went on to become television's highest-paid entertainer, producer, and actress in her own television specials. That young lady is:

Oprah Winfrey

Don't Give Up The Fight

Check out one of the Chapters from Our Book Don't Give Up!

Don’t Give Up on the Fight

“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”

—Helen Keller

When the waves of life have crashed relentlessly over your dreams, and your resolve, conviction, and passion gradually erode with each wave, it can be easy to think that you do not have what it takes to make a difference anymore. You start to believe lies about yourself, and about what stands in-between you and your destiny. The folly of your poor decisions and wrong priorities may have left you feeling defeated and nurturing a victim mentality. And if this were the end of your story, then it would be a tragedy indeed. But this is not the end of your story; this is only a chapter in it. And although you may feel insignificant, and you may want to give up, something in you whispers, “Get back up and give it all you’ve got.”

That something is the Spirit of God! God has not abandoned you, and He never will. While you draw breath, there is hope for you! What time and circumstances have eroded, His love will restore. You may not be able to solve all your problems in one day. But you can make a decision that puts you on the path that will lead you out. That is the decision to fight back. Fight back against discouragement, fear, and anxiety. It is time to rise above the pity party of self-doubt and condemnation. It’s time to get past the past and move forward. It’s time to rise up with a determined spirit and fulfill what God has destined you to accomplish. Quit waiting around for someone else to discover you, for someone else to believe in you, and for someone else to make your dreams a reality. God sees you and believes in you. He wants to see you realize your destiny more than you do! It’s not time to lie down. It’s time to get up and fight. It is time to push back. The Bible tells us to fight the good fight of faith. How do we do that? By putting our trust in God and acting on His Word. By believing that God is for us and will never forsake us, believing that He will help us to fulfill the plan and purpose He has for our lives. We know that no matter how deep the pit, how dark the night, or how insurmountable the difficulty may look, God will see us through.

Prayer

Lord, You have told me in Your Word to fight the good fight of faith, to put on the full armor of God so that I might stand against the strategies of the enemy—and win. You have told me to take the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit and face the challenges of this life with strength and courage. You have told me to fight and win life’s battles with the spirit of a conqueror. Here I am, Lord. Strengthen me by Your Spirit. Help me to fight against the forces of darkness that would try to destroy my soul. Within myself, I can do nothing, but with You and by Your Spirit, I can do all things. Give me the courage and fortitude to take my place as an overcomer of the world, a child of the Most High God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scriptures

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

—1 Timothy 6:12

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

—2 Corinthians 10:4

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

—Ephesians 6:12-13 (NLT)

A Poem to Encourage

The Fighter

I fight a battle every day Against discouragement and fear; Some foe stands always in my way, The path ahead is never clear! I must forever be on guard Against the doubts that skulk along; I get ahead by fighting hard, But fighting keeps my spirit strong.

I hear the croakings of Despair, The dark predictions of the weak;

I find myself pursued by Care, No matter what the end I seek; My victories are small and few, It matters not how hard I strive; Each day the fight begins anew, But fighting keeps my hopes alive.

I have to fight my doubts away, And be on guard against my fears; The feeble croaking of Dismay Has been familiar through the years; My dearest plans keep going wrong, Events combine to thwart my will, But fighting keeps my spirit strong, And I am undefeated still!

—S.E. Kiser

Don't Give Up

Enjoy a sneak peak at our newest book available for purchase soon!

Don't Give up: Introduction

Nobody may know why you are struggling today or why thoughts of giving up may be lingering in your mind. Perhaps the idea of quitting is just a passing thought, or maybe the idea has festered to the point that you feel at the end of your rope and you have lost all hope. Many issues in life can bring a person to their knees. It could be that you have experienced a life-altering event, like the death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, a divorce, or the threat of financial ruin. Maybe it’s the betrayal of a close friend or a trusted coworker. Possibly you are the architect of your own demise, and your own actions of deceit and selfishness have alienated you from your family and friends. It could have been negligence on your part that has led to misfortune and pain in the lives of those whom you love the most. Maybe you have an addiction you cannot kick or repeated failures that have destroyed your self-confidence and left you living in a morass of discouragement and despair. Regardless of what has brought you to the brink of hopelessness, there is still hope—if you will grab hold of it.

That hope is Christ, and He can get you out of this mess if you let Him.

Like it or not, crises are normal to life in this world. This life is full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, grand accomplishments and heart-wrenching setbacks. Everything can be going great one day, and the next day the bottom can fall out and turn your life totally upside down. Being a Christian does not prevent us from experiencing these issues, but being a Christian gives us a hope and the stability to ride out the storm through faith. Though life on earth is ever-changing and nothing seems stable or certain, there is one thing that is certain, one thing that never changes, one thing you can always count on: Jesus. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love for you is the one thing that will never change.

It may seem like God is a million miles away. You may feel like your prayers were never heard, and that God has simply given up on you. This could not be further from the truth. Nothing you have done or will do could ever be more powerful than what Jesus did for you. God’s grace and mercy are ever constant and ferociously overtaking the sins of His children. All that is required is for us to ask for His help. There is light at the end of this tunnel, and with God’s help, you can make it through. He has a plan to rescue you. No matter how deep of a pit you may be in, His love can pull you out. No matter how bad you have messed up or how deep in sin you might have fallen, His love is greater than your mistakes, failures, and shortcomings. You may feel that you are facing an insurmountable mountain that is just too big to get over.

It might seem impossible, but I have good news:

God specializes in the impossible!

There is an answer, there is a path to victory, and there is hope. With God’s help, you will get on the other side of this thing—whatever it is! You must not give up. All is not lost; all hope is not gone. The night will not take you. The darkness will not claim you. Your past has not robbed you of your future. You are not out of options. Do not give up! The only way you will go no further in life is if you stop now. The only sure way to become a failure, for this to be the conclusion to your story instead of just a chapter in it, is by throwing in the towel and giving up.

You are not powerless to change. There is still untapped strength in you—a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened. You are not alone! There is a heaven on earth for you to enjoy, and a hell on earth for you to shun. There is a peace that passes all understanding ripe for the taking and an anxiousness for you to avoid. There is a hope for you to keep your eyes fixed upon and a worry for you to ignore. There is a love ready to transcend your highest dreams and a fear to overcome. But you must not give up!

This is not a lofty dream; this is God’s wish for you! You have already tried life your way, and look where it has brought you! It is time to try something different. It is time to give God’s way a chance.

He will come to your rescue and deliver you. He will provide a way of escape. Just cry out to Him, and He will answer you. By His Spirit and through His Word, you can find the help you need, the answers you are looking for, and the courage and strength to persevere and overcome even in the midst of the most adverse circumstances.

God is for you, God is with you, and He is on your side.

Our prayer for you is that as you read this book and meditate on the Scriptures here, the Lord will minister to you and show Himself strong on your behalf. We pray that His love surrounds you and engulfs you, and that His presence brings hope, healing, and encouragement to your heart.