Tag Archives: Don’t quit

Brighter Days Ahead

You Can Get Back Up

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Bent Tree in front of Ocean
You Can Get Back Up

I just read a story about a skier and the unimaginable trials he endured as he pursued his dream to be an Olympian. Despite continually being knocked down, he got back up.  His name is Torin Yater-Wallace and his specialty is the half-pipe.  In layman’s terms, the half-pipe is doing aerial tricks on skis, jumping upwards of 25 feet in the air. Although he is only 22 years old, Torin has seen his share of struggles.  From serious challenges within his family as a child and to injuries from the sport itself, he could have given up.  But he didn’t, he got back up.  His trials continued when a medical mistake had a needle puncturing his lung, greatly affecting his first try at the Olympics in Sochi.   But he got back up.  Lastly, a rare bacterial infection had him hovering near death just 2 years before this Olympics.  His skiing competition is up ahead, because even in the tough times, he got back up.

Most of us will never compete in an Olympic competition, but times of testing will come.  Question: When adversity knocks us to our knees, how will we get back up? Answer: Quite simply, the Lord Most High.  “The Lord helps all who fall; he raises up all who are oppressed.” (Psalm 145:14 CSB) Having no strength left, we can reach for God. In doing so, we’ll see, he’s also reaching for us.  “For I hold you by your right hand–I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'” (Isaiah 41:13, NLT) We’re not in this fight alone.  “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT) On the tough days, we keep pushing on, because we CAN get back up.

Things to do today:

  1. Ask God to strengthen you in this current battle.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘Stay in the Fight’ and listen to songs ‘Warrior’ and ‘This is My Fight Song.’

 

 

Brighter Days Ahead

You’ve Got This!

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You've got this. Runner on a forest trail.
Runner on a forest path

Driving out of my subdivision, I saw some runners from Anytime Fitness. Most people had completed the marked path but I saw one woman struggling to finish. I could tell she was tired as she moved with slumped shoulders, each step a fight to keep moving. Although she was running alone, others from the gym moved in her direction to cheer her on. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but I imagine it went something like this: “You’ve got this!” “Keep going, you’re almost there!”  “You can do it!” As I turned off my street, I lost sight of the action from the gym.  Even though I didn’t witness it, I believe the last runner completed the course.  She ran with a voice in her head saying, “You’ve got this!”

Too many times we face trials in life that make us want to quit.  But God is saying, “You’ve got this!” Although the world would push us down, God has many ways to pull us up.   “Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God.  I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly helping you.  I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ISV) God knows what to do with the things that come against us.  “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.  Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.” (Exodus 15:6 NLT) When we have a destination in mind and every obstacle known to man is blocking us, we know where to turn.  Let’s point our running shoes towards a place of protection.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1 ESV) In this perfect sanctuary we catch our breath, square our shoulders, and keep moving towards our goals.  And if we listen very carefully, we’ll hear him say, “You’ve got this!”