"Forget it... I GIVE UP" - you say as you are completely finished with whatever problem it is that you are fighting with...
2 words... Give Up. 2 words, one HUGE deal. It's so easy to do-- isn't it?!
AHHHHHH--- BUT.... did you know that there are 2 sides to every story? YES!!!!!
The Negative Story of giving up-- "side 1"::
You are fighting for something you need-- your family, your job, finances, your home-- more importantly... your faith. You've been fighting and fighting trying your best to be the best because that's what you thought you had to do to make "this" (whatever your need is) work. Guess what? It's not happening... family is falling apart & it's taking a toll on you emotionally/physically, promotion that you deserved was given to someone else, can't afford the bills- not to mention the groceries; rent is going to be late...and you feel God is not coming through and you start to question if He cares about you and the situation you are fighting. Oh here it comes... you scream "That's it!!! I quit!!!"
...YOU GIVE UP.
The Positive Story of giving up-- "side 2"::
Sometimes life stinks; Life hurts. Did you notice common words in the Negative Story above? I kept saying.... "you are fighting" a lot didn't I? Yup... sure did. So, here's the deal--
- Family falling apart & it's weighing you down: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
- Promotion not given to you & you feel treated unfairly:The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. Psalm 103:6
- Finances:And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
- When you feel like God isn't fast enough for you: It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It may seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3
Still wanna give up? I hope you do.
WAIT! "Michelle, did you just say I hope you DO?! OKAY- Confused?!"
Yes, I said I hope you still want to give up-- GIVE UP IT ALL TO GOD'S HANDS... and not fight the fight yourself. Trust me... it does you absolutely no good to fight a fight you are NOT suppose to be fighting. TRUST ME!! The only fight you should be fighting is the fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12- Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
Try it... I know as you are reading this you are harboring all the thoughts of everything in life you have wanted to throw in the towel on- close your eyes and with all of those thoughts in mind, say OUT LOUD... I GIVE UP. I GIVE UP GOD-- HELP ME-- I KNOW YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE-- I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I TRUST YOU-- HELP ME. The next time you wanna "give up" may this be a sweet reminder to you that giving up doesn't always mean to quit- but a release- a surrender to God- to let Him handle whatever it is you are facing.
Take care of you :)
