Don't Give Up

God was very busy with visiting yesterday.  Seems He had a lot to say to me.  But these were visits of a different kind.  They were visits for someone else.  I believe there are times in our lives when we are so far down, so in the dark, that looking up and seeing light is not possible for us.  So the Lord comes to another person in our lives with the encouragement that is meant for us.  I have a dear friend who is going through a very difficult time, they are having trouble seeing hope.  So the Lord came to me with His words of encouragement to share with this friend.  These are most important visits to look out for in our lives.  These are the ones in which God is looking to use us to bolster someone else who's heart is hurting.  I usually don't share when something going on involves someone else, but I really felt that God wanted this message to go out.  There are so many of His children hurting and in need of some hope.

As I said, this friend is struggling on many fronts right now.  And as usual, I had my Christian music station on in the car as I was out and about yesterday.  A new song (at least to me) came on.  "Don't Give Up" by Calling Glory.  What an awesome song!!  With today's wonderful technology (the same technology that makes me want to throw various electronic devices into the pool some days!), I was able to send this song to my friend, hoping to give a little lift and let the music God gives offer faith and refreshment.

As for the next visit, the Lord came through an email (that amazing technology again) from Renee Swope.  Another friend and I had done a Bible study through her website a couple of years ago and I signed up to receive these uplifting emails.  I am not really sure if I am permitted to share the whole thing here without permission, so I will just hit the highlights.  I'm sure you can find the article on her website.

Renee spoke on how we feel beaten up by life, living with hurts and disappointments, physical pain and broken relationships.  And these troubles seem to come on and come on and come on.  She went on to say that when our lives seem to be a never ending series of trials we needed to remember that we are normal (there is nothing wrong with us) and we are not alone.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing their own difficulties.  It's not that God doesn't love us or has abandoned us because we have made mistakes.  No, we are all in this together.  And He is there with us also.  Renee then gave a short prayer at the end:  "Jesus please use the hard circumstances in my life to make me stronger and let my hurts draw me closer to You. Amen."  She asked us to pray this prayer together. And I am asking for that as well....let's all join in to pray for trouble, even the hardest, the most unrelenting kind,  to make us stronger, to draw us to the Lord, as opposed to pushing us away.  And that we would NOT GIVE UP!  As Renee said, "DON’T GIVE UP! No matter what, don’t let go of hope.  Don’t stop believing that God is a Redeemer, a Healer, a Restorer and that nothing is too difficult for Him."

I'll end with the Scripture verse I gave my friend.  It reminds us to lay down the burdens we place on ourselves and join with the Lord follow His path through our lives.

Matthew 11:28  Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you.  Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

I pray for us all, that we will never give up, never give in, stay on the path...the Lord goes before us, even when we can't see Him.