ENCOURAGEMENT DEVO | BY CRISTY MOCKETT

A Number of years ago I chose to participate in a 2 day walk for breast cancer.  I did this 2 years in a row, but the second year was much more difficult.  I didn't have any close friends to walk with me like the first year and my "team" was made up of people I didn't know very well.  On day 2, when things were more of a challenge, I wasn't doing very well and my team, being faster, left me behind.  My feet were in a lot of pain and I didn't think I was going to be able to finish.  I remember phoning my husband and telling him I couldn't do it.  I was a few km from the finish line and he encouraged me not to give up.  In spite of the pain and being alone, I kept going and eventually made it over the finish line where my family took me in their arms and told me what a great job I had done.  

This past May and June I was having some difficulties with a colleague at work.  One morning before work I was done with all of the stress I was experiencing and had decided that I was going to apply for a job at another school.  I told my husband and he said to me, "Oh no you're not!  You are not going to run away, you're going to face this head on."  I was mad and absolutely wanted to run from the problem but knew that he was right (insert eye roll).  I chose to stay and try to resolve the issues.  Unfortunately, the situation was never really resolved with that colleague.

Why am I telling you these particular stories?  I'm confident that all of us have had similar experiences in our lives where we've felt alone and wanted to give up.  We often feel like no one will really understand or even, where God is in the middle of all of this.  I have thought at times, "God, I've had enough and want to ring the bell.  I'm out!" It's in these moments that I am learning that it isn't God who is not present, but that I am so caught up with circumstances that I miss Him.  

So what can we do differently the next time we face difficult  situations and find ourselves drifting? 

First, trust that God is always with us.  He promises this in Hebrews 13:5, "for He has said, 'I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax my hold on you [assuredly not]!" (Amplified Bible)  

Next, stop talking to everyone else about the issues and direct your thoughts to God.  Calling out to God is not my natural response when things are hard, yet I keep talking to everyone else and replaying in my mind the situation which is unhealthy for me.  2 Corinthians 10:5 says "taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ." (Amplified Bible) We can't let our minds wander aimlessly but instead need to focus on who God is and talking with Him helps us to do just that.  

Finally, we can remember all of the marvelous things God has done in our lives.  These circumstances that we are currently in may be difficult but God will be with us in them.  In Deuteronomy 7:9 it says, "Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (Amplified Bible) 

Let me leave you with one final verse that has recently been of great encouragement to me personally.

"Dear sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

(James 1:2-3 NLT)