What Could Happen If You Didn’t Give Up?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself the question, What Could Happen If You Didn’t Give Up? I’m hoping this devo will be all the encouragement you need to keep on, keeping on!

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Soul H2O Devotion

What Could Happen If You Didn’t Give Up?

Yup! That’s a picture of a flat tire and the picture beside is the amazing Heather Ireland; two truck driver, former Biker TV Host and owner of Silverbird Towing, graciously changing my tire as transports are whizzing by.

These pictures were taken on the side of Highway 401 where I had to quickly pull over when I clearly drove over something, causing my tire to blow… after a long day when a relational situation broke my heart just hours before.

Some days are just like that. I find they happen a lot when you’re pushing through, going to a new level, walking toward what God’s called you to do, or making progress to becoming the person God wants you to be.

It’s Not Always Easy

That’s exactly what was happening in my life when these pictures were taken. I was getting ready all day to go away so I could attend an important ministerial event for our denomination way up in Mississauga. It’s my first one since the 1990’s as I just renewed my credentials in 2022 (OOPS I don’t think I posted about that… for another day). Earlier that day, things just kept going wrong and taking longer than they should have, then the relational upheaval that left me hurt, doubting my identity and questioning if I should be going at all.

The enemy was trying to wear me down and stop me from going but I was wise to his tactics this time.

After only getting 4 hours of sleep I headed out for the meetings. Staying awake when anyone prayed for an extended time was difficult, but pushing through and not letting the enemy steal away from me was worth pushing through every struggle I had to. I left on a high, affirmed in my calling, having received a prophetic encouragement from God, reconnecting with old Bible College friends, and being used by God to share a message of encouragement with a fellow minister.

Powerful Alignment

I was aligning myself with the mission of Paul as he said in Philippians 3:14.

I PRESS ON
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 ESV

The enemy tried to wear me out and get me to give up on doing the right thing but in the end, it was the enemy who was tired out and frustrated because not one of his tactics worked.

I kept moving forward and God was able to do some amazing things. If I’d given up, none of that would have happened.

What Could Happen If You Didn’t Give Up?

Has the enemy been trying to wear you down, so you don’t go there or do that? Don’t let him get you down for the count, remind yourself of what God promises in Galatians 6:9, Don’t get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time you will reap a harvest of blessing… if you don’t give up.

Prayer

Father…I thank you that you’ve put more strength in me than I realize. Help me to grow in faith to believe that I can do all things… In Jesus Name…Amen

Verses to help fill up your well.

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1. Philippians 3:14
2. Galatians 6:9
3. Philippians 1:6
4. Hebrews 11:35-36,39
5. Philippians 4:13

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#musicpic Post: Press On https://www.sherrystahl.com/press/

#192 Ever Feel Like Someone’s Trying To Wear You Down? https://www.sherrystahl.com/wear-you-down/

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Trust That It’s Not The End!

If you’ve been one of my amazing readers since the beginning, you know how I was plagued with computer issues … and that’s a real problem when you write for a living.

Then, when I got a new computer and things were going great with speaking engagements lining up, my computer crashed and it had to be sent away for a month. I had just finished preaching at a women’s event, closed my computer, put it safely in my protective case but when I went to plug it back in… the screen was black.

At times, it can feel like trouble is all around and it just doesn’t want to let up. Amazing things can be going on in your life but when nagging, unrelenting, ongoing issues are happening at the same time, you have to watch, or the negative will override your thoughts and blind you to all the positives in your life… making you feel like it’s all over.

To keep out the negative thinking, you’ve got to…

Trust That It’s Not The End!

Learn From Job

We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
James 5:11

Job knew what it was like to live with nagging, unrelenting, ongoing issues. He went through a series of losses thankfully the depths of which few have to experience.

Job was heartbroken as he lost all his finances, children, health, and his wife. He suffered great injustices and was then insulted with a barrage of hurtful accusations by his “friends”, who said they came to ‘comfort’ him… I mean, who needs enemies with ‘friends’ like that???

It’s not known how long Job’s sickness lasted but from what I read, He got to the place of complete hopelessness about his life… to the point that he wished he had never been born.

But it wasn’t the end!

As Job expressed his feelings of anger, hurt, depression and hopelessness to God he released forgiveness to those cruel friends and with this act of obedience, God turned Job’s life around. Job 42:10 says,

“When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!”

When Job’s situation looked unredeemable, God said, it’s not the end yet. From the moment Job forgave those who offended him God began the Job-rebuilding program. People began to bless Job and give him gifts that he was able to turn into wealth. Then, God poured out a double-blessing into Job’s life…and only then, was it the end.

You may feel like it’s THE END, but it’s not. Don’t give up. Trust that God is working behind the scenes to turn your life around. He did it for Job, and I know He’ll do it for you!

PRAYER

Father…I’m so thankful that when I feel things are done and all hope is gone that You restore. Help me to not give up hope and believe the lie of the enemy that it’s the end when you have a resurrection plan in place. God, You are all-powerful and nothing is too hard for You! May I live in the confidence that You are true to Your word, having the endurance of Job…trusting You…TO THE END! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Be encouraged by these quotes today!

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Being a car-girl, I really love what Henry Ford said,

DRAWING FROM THE WELL

James 5:11
James 1:12
Job 42:10
Romans 8:28

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Endnotes

Goodreads Website Accessed: 2018-01-15 https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/838626-everything-is-going-to-be-fine-in-the-end-if
Quora Website Accessed: 2018-01-15 https://www.quora.com/Who-is-the-original-source-of-the-quote-Everything-will-be-okay-in-the-end-If-its-not-okay-its-not-the-end
AZ Quotes Website Accessed: 2018-01-15 https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/everything-will-work-out.html

This post was first published on January 15, 2018
Revised & Reposted on January 28, 2021

Keep Your Hands In The Ice

“In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
Isaiah 12:4 NIV

My friend Wendy told me about a study performed on 2 groups of people. The test involved putting their hands in buckets of ice-cold water. The first group was not given a length of time. The second group was told “Keep Your Hands In The Ice” for 2 minutes and they were successful. The first group all pulled their hands out BEFORE the 2 minute mark. Without an ‘end in sight’, they gave up.

Sometimes you can give up in the present because the future seems unattainable, unrealistic or improbable. That’s what the Israelites struggled with when Isaiah declared the above prophesy. This verse says “In that day” the people of Israel are to give thanks to the LORD. When describing “In that day”, my NIV Study Bible Notes tell me that “The day of victory and joy, the positive aspect of “the day of the LORD”…Israel is restored and the people praise God.”¹ In the day they were living in; victory, joy and restoration seemed unlikely at best. They had to exercise their faith to believe God’s promise of victory would come true. God didn’t give them a date when their struggles would be over, just a promise that they would end.

So my friend, you’re not the first person to struggle with how to Keep Your Hands In The Ice when you don’t know how long they’ll be cold.

[tweetthis]Take courage to believe in the promise God gave you! #SoulH2O [/tweetthis]

He held true to this promise spoken through Isaiah and He’s capable to follow through for you too!

Prayer

Father…Thank You for the promises in Your Word that guarantee I’m going to come out on top in the end! Help me to know that if victory hasn’t happened yet, then it’s not the end! Please strengthen my faith in you; my confidence to trust you at Your Word so in “that day”, the day you’ve already planned for, I will give thanks! In Jesus Name…Amen

¹ NIV Study Bible note on Isaiah 10:20,27 pg. 1399

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Press On

Image of Keep Calm and Press On
Lately the song you will find me bopping my head to driving my mustang around town is “Wrecking Ball (Press on)” by Building 429, featuring the beautiful Blanca Reves Callahan. Blanca is from another one of my favorite bands, GROUP 1 CREW.

Wrecking Ball (Press On) was written by Building 429’s lead singer Jason Roy. He wrote it after struggling with some issues in his faith, feeling worn out and wondering if he was where God wanted him to be. Can you relate? I know we all wonder about this at some point. The music to this song is SOOO catchy! The words are powerful. It’s like an Anthem you can sing declaring your faith in God, even when you “still don’t get it”! It helps me be more committed to “Press On” no matter what! I love the name of their album too, “WE WON’T BE SHAKEN”! Makes me think of life verses of mine.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised…we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 11:35-36,39 NIV) In other words…PRESS ON!
I’ve included the words of the song for you ’cause the weather’s getting warmer and you might have the top down on your car. This way, when you’re jamming out in your car, you’ll know what to sing 🙂
Press ON
~Sherry
xoxo
Below are links to: the song (with and without lyrics), the story behind the song, Building 429’s website and Group 1 Crew’s website.

“Wrecking Ball (Press On)”
(Building 429: feat. Blanca Callahan of Group 1 Crew)

Song Wrecking Ball (Press On) Lyrics Video Click HERE!

Story behind the song. Click HERE! LOVE learning why people wrote the song they did!!!

building 429

http://www.building429.com
Make sure you buy the album WE WON’T BE SHAKEN!

http://www.group1crew.com

Keeping The Promise

“By the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” (Numbers 33:50-53 NIV)
“I HAVE TO DO WHAT???” I’m trying to imagine how the Israelites felt when they heard this direction from the Lord. I can see them saying, “I have to do what? Don’t you know we just got out of the dry, difficult desert? Shouldn’t we be on easy street now?” The Israelites once in the Promised Land had to continue battling nations that opposed them. We have to stop being shocked that once we get our promise it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The battle we had to fight to get our promise is sometimes easier than the battle to keep our promise, but there will be blessings to balance out the hardship.
Think of David’s life and the progression of enemies he had to face—Lion…Bear….Goliath…Saul….ABSOLOM. At first you would think that the biggest battle he had to face was Goliath, but I think having to stand up against the leader he served and then having his son as an enemy would be far worse than a 9 foot giant he never knew. His last battles were closest to his heart.
The bigger the battle won, the bigger the reward. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36) Live out the words of Winston Churchill and “Never, Never, Never Give Up!”
Prayer:
Father…I thank-you that you are with me. You give me what I need to face every enemy that comes against me. Help me to push forward and take hold of and keep the promise you have for me. In Jesus name, Amen