By Pastor Timothy Neptune
Life can feel overwhelming at times. I think we’ve all been to the place where we’ve wondered just how much more we can take. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years—you can handle a lot more than you ever realized if you just hang on and refuse to quit.
Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” The answer to your prayer might be right around the corner. That thing you’ve been waiting for might be just a little further down the road. Hang in there!
It’s the last step in the race that counts the most! If you run every step of the race except the last one and you stop before the finish line, the end result will be the same as if you never ran a step. You may feel exhausted right now and don’t know if you have the energy to face one more day. My encouragement to you is this: Don’t quit! You can make it!
Where do you find the strength to keep going when your tanks are on empty and you cannot see an end in sight? Hang on to the following three truths for believers found in Scripture.
1. God is the source of your strength. The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) It is often when our physical energy wears out that by God’s grace He gives us just what we need to keep going. Maintain balance in your by eating, exercising, relaxing, spending time with your family and friends and keeping up with a vibrant devotional time with the Lord.
2. God is present in the midst of your trials. God also gives us the promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Remember that God is sovereign and always in control. Nothing can happen to you except by divine permission or divine directive. He is with you through your crisis. It may feel like God has abandoned you… but I assure you He has not. He may seem distant or silent, but He is there.
3. God knows your limit. Scriptures tell us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
(1 Cor. 10:13) God is sovereign and omniscience and He knows your limits. He knows what you can handle. He knows your threshold. If He has allowed you to face this trial… it’s because He knows you can handle it.
The late Rev. Jerry Falwell used to say, “You lose more often than you win in life. There are more bad days than good days. You fail more often than you achieve.” Life is tough. You may be facing an uphill climb and don’t think you can handle one more day… but you can and you must. You have no idea just how close you are to reaching your desired goal. Don’t give up, give in, or quit. You will make it through!
Tim Neptune is the Lead Pastor of
Venture Church Naples, a new church plant in
East Naples. For service times and locations,
go to www.venturenaples.com or call
(239) 775-5323.