Have you ever had the desire to exercise, but just could not or would not do it? Did you find yourself giving excuse after excuse? “It’s easy to exercise when we’re bursting with energy and full of strength. What is hard is continuing our exercise routine on days when feeling low and lethargic. Top athletes discipline themselves to train on good days and bad days. To succeed in sporting endeavors, one cannot be a fair-weather athlete” (Free Christian Illustrations). Therefore, when you are facing adversity, do you give up or give thanks? Galatians 6:9 encourages the Christian, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (ESV).
Life can throw some curve balls against us that sometimes knock us blindsided. However, as Christians, if we are not careful, we will immediately give up instead of giving thanks. I am sure that some of you are wondering, “How do I give thanks when adversity is staring me in the face as if it were blinding headlights?” The first thing is don’t immediately react. Take the time to assess the situation. Then look up to Him who holds the key, pray, and ask for guidance on how to handle that ball of confusion. When you panic and get in a hurry when the balls hits, that is the worst mistake you can make. Take your eyes off self and turn to the Almighty who is able to keep you from falling.
Almost a decade ago, I received a phone call early one morning that almost knocked me flat! I screamed, cried, and repeatedly asked, “Why?” A few days later, I was ready to give up and just hide under a rock, never to be heard of again. I had no strength and could not think clearly. When my dear, loving husband heard me utter words of wanting to give up, he gave me this precious look of concern, speaking the most encouraging words that probably no one else could have spoken to me. God placed him there as my guardian angel. I took his God-given advice, and kept things moving as the Christian woman God wanted me to be. It was not easy, but thank God we made it through unscathed. Glory be to God! No one can tell me what God can’t do while you’re going through, if you pray, put your trust in Him, and give Him thanks for the blessings of favor to come! Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
