When you’re about to give up, remember encouragement’s often just a moment away

There is all manner of ways we give up in life.  It’s a hard day and we’re done.  It’s that blow that we didn’t expect.  It’s sheer exhaustion.  It’s feeling that sting of betrayal.  And so many more.  But when we’re ‘done’ and we’re just about to decide to give up, it’s surprising just how close the encouragement we need often is.

We hardly expect to receive the instant boost that tells us, “See, you just needed a little leg up to feel better,” or “Wow, I guess I just forgot how much God knew I needed that,” or “Now I can rest a little easier knowing my life isn’t the catastrophe it seemed.”

Sometimes it’s all we need before we go to sleep; that reassurance that God’s got us, our purpose is real, our hope is sound.

Faith really is the essence of believing in the dark that light will shine through in a coming moment. The most courageous faith trusts IN the dark night of the soul.  And after we’ve completely traversed the dark night we know not only how far hell is to cross, but that God was with us every step of the way.

Of course, there are practical things we can do to support the providence of God, like reaching out before the abyss closes in around us — yes, I’m saying that most people wait far too long to reach out.

Those who love and care for us, including our mentors, are not burdened so much by our reaching out as they feel privileged that we’re trusting them again.

But my main and solitary point is hope comes alive most when we anticipate a breakthrough.  Such faith is a muscle with exponential potential for growth.  The breakthrough isn’t just something we wait for, mind you.  It’s something we can be proactive about.

We all have times when tiredness, lack of time, meaninglessness, discouragement, opposition and conflict, and doubting spring up, even colluding with each other to confound our hope.

When you’re about to give up, realise that giving up is a decision, and you can just as easily decide to be hopeful, do something proactive, take the rest you need, smile in a mirror, and hope for a better tomorrow.

When you’re about to give up, remember that time when something happened to restore your hope.  Remember that time.  You will feel better soon if you don’t give up.

Photo by Tom Moser on Unsplash