Many people know what it is to be tired at some point. The truth is that most things worth doing will push and stretch us out of our comfort zones. We can end up feeling weary and even tempted to want to give up at some stage. This weariness is especially prevalent when it looks like we might or have failed.
But perhaps, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." Failure is not the end of the world, and any mistakes we make are proof that we are trying and hopefully learning along the way. Isn't it better to at least try something than never try at all?
I've had my share of failures, weariness, and being tempted to give up. From feeling like I could have done better with our kids, other relationships, leadership, and just life in general. But I've also learned some keys on how to keep going, get back up from a disappointment, and not quit!
Some keys to avoiding giving up are to:
1. Learn to rest, not to give up. Seek balance – work hard, but remember to have fun, rest, recharge, and prosper your soul. This means discovering what brings us joy, rest, and refreshing. Downtime is vital, so we must make ourselves take some. Jesus set this example for us when He encouraged His disciples to come away from the needy crowds so they could all rest awhile. (Mark 6:31)
2. Stop looking at the problems. Don't keep looking at the problems or what everyone else is doing or saying – look at Jesus and believe Him! "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
3. Stand firm –be resolute and tenacious and choose to act and think about who God says you are and what you are capable of in Him. Sometimes we just have to dig deep into who we are and God's strength in us and stand firm!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ((Philippians 4:13),
"If God is for us, who can be against us." (Romans 8:31)
4. Choose your words – Having six babies, I know what it is to be so tired I feel physically ill. I'd say, "I'm so tired", all the time. But then God started to tell me to stop saying that and instead speak positive, energising words. It worked! I've learnt to speak only what He said about my body, my situation, my future, family, nation, and His plan for my life. "He says,
"Let the weak say they are strong" (Joel 3:10).
Our bodies listen to what we say, and all creation responds to faith-filled words. Learn to speak the promises in God's word because "He is watching over his word to perform it! (Jeremiah 1:12)
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21)
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." (Proverbs 13:3)
5. Choose friends well – when fighting weariness, it helps to have friends who will be there alongside us, who will listen, be willing to reach out to help, pray with faith, encourage, inspire and spur us on so that we will not give up! "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour, for if they fall, one will lift up his companion." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
God is faithful and promises to give strength to the weary and help us keep going so that we will reap a harvest in due time.
"He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:20-30)
Feeling weary or a failure today? Learn from your mistakes, take a rest and prosper your soul, turn to Jesus for strength and help and just keep going and don't give up!
"Let's do it... Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps His Word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshipping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25 The Message Bible)