In the word, we see where the people of God felt different things while looking at what was happening around them. Moses felt anger and frustration. Jesus felt sadness and anger. Jeremiah felt sadness. Yet, they did not give up.
God has brought us too far for us to give up. Romans 8:31 talks about how God is for us. Joshua 1:1-9 emphasizes God’s direction to Joshua to be strong and courageous. He stated it three times.
It’s true that history repeats itself. God has delivered his people when experiencing difficult situations in the past, and he will deliver us also. He sees. He understands. He is still a very present help to his people.
Think of military preparation. It includes following protocol and following orders under extreme stress. The process can be mentally and physically exhausting, but there is a goal to achieve. There is a reward at the end of boot camp. There is graduation and moving on to the next level in a military career. The training develops and refines mental agility. It develops physical strength and stamina. At the end of it, trainees are better prepared to carry out their military duties. They are prepared to face high stress situations in war, able to think on their feet, and able to work as a team. They are stronger. We will also be spiritually stronger, as we walk through challenges.
Jesus didn’t give up on the mission he had here. He wasn’t moved by rumors and bullying from the Jewish leaders of that time. He wasn’t moved by lies spread about him. He wasn’t moved by mental strain and exhaustion.
We can choose not to be moved by outside circumstances around us. We may see confusion. We may see things happening that we don’t agree with. It may appear we are not the ones with the power to change what is happening around us. It may appear that we must depend on others to make change happen, but if we look in the spiritual realm, we have the authority of Christ to bring about change.
We have specialized, powerful tools to deal with adverse circumstances. We have prayer, confession, we have hope and dependence on God. We are never hopeless or unable to bring about change and never victims of circumstances.
There is a saying: “the fight is fixed.” We have the winning advantage. We are guaranteed to win. We can lean on all of the preparation the Lord has given us over the years and use it during challenges. Victory is sure. Defeat is not an option.
So no, we must not and cannot give up now.
God bless you!
Nadirah Fareed
