Category:
Spirituality
Publisher: Publish America
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 104
ISBN-13: 9781448983490
Often when we find ourselves in a season of weariness, we will also find that we are about to enter or are in a season of transition. According to Merriam-Webster, transition means “a: passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another: change”. In other words, transition is a state of movement. While we may feel as though nothing is happening, nothing is changing, or nothing is moving, the truth is in the midst of our standstill, the Lord is moving and rearranging things on our behalf. However, when we don’t see anything happening in the natural, it sometimes becomes too difficult to comprehend that God is truly for us, and consequently, we need a reason to press on.
It is my utmost desire to give you the encouragement you need to press on for another day. This is not a long book, and that was purposeful. Sometimes, we just need a little nugget of truth rather than a complete dissertation. Whether you are weary from the battle, the transition, or just circumstances, I pray God will strengthen and encourage you to remind you that above all else, you are loved and not forgotten.
Excerpt
Don't Lose Heart
Have you ever been disappointed? Have circumstances not worked out the way you expected or hoped? It's not easy when life throws you a curve ball, and you find yourself swinging the bat only to strike out. But think about this: you'll have another chance at bat. Maybe next time will be your “grand slam” in life.
The game of life can change in an instant. One pop fly caught at the right time can change the whole game. An unexpected bunt to the shortstop with the bases loaded just might enable a runner to score. We don't know when the perfect pitch will come, but we trust that it will. Therefore, despite what the scoreboard says, eventually we will win.
So, how do we keep our hearts intact in the midst of trying circumstances? We choose to lift up our eyes to the Almighty God who loves us and gave His son for us. We choose to focus on the precious moments in life, rather than on everything that appears to be going wrong. I'm not saying that we stick our heads in the sand and fail to deal with the realities of life. No, instead we must learn to embrace the pain, so that it can teach us. We cannot not allow the disappointments of life's situations to overtake us.
What is it that brings a smile to your face? A call from a dear friend? A wet kiss from a puppy? The gleeful laugh of a small child? The beauty of the sky at sunset? A cup of tea? A favorite song you haven't heard in a long time? A bouquet of flowers? Whatever it is that makes your heart glad, think upon such things.
We must not focus on the dirt of the game or the bruises we endure. We must take a moment, even if it's in the dugout, and look at all the fans that are cheering us on. We must see the beauty of this life, and the multitude of blessings that come our way even when it appears we're losing the game.
My friends, be encouraged today. No matter what comes at you, do not lose heart. Take a moment to thank the God who loves you for all that He has given you and for all the situations that He has kept you from. I challenge you as I challenge myself. Together, let's look around us and see what we can be thankful for. Let's praise the Lord for His goodness to us even in the midst of what appears to be a losing game for in the end, the truth is – WE WIN!
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