It’s Not Over Yet

We give up too quickly. Do you ever think that? Like, when it gets tough, we just want it to be over and would rather forfeit the potential reward than endure the trying time. Well, I’ll speak for myself. I often give up too quickly. Or, at least I want to, but thanks to God and His grace, He helps me hold on a little longer so I could reap the reward. But I give up quickly in thought, in desire, hoping God would just rescue me already or make things happen the way I want them as soon as… now. 

Maybe He’s trying to remind me that it’s not about me but about Him. I constantly say to Him that I surrender, that “I give myself away” to Him, that I’m all His, so wouldn’t that include giving up my way for His way, my plans for His, my comfort for His Will? When Jesus came, He didn’t come so that He could just have fun and have everything easy and in the palm of His hand. He came so that the Father may be glorified, so that His Will may be done, so that we may all be saved through His death and resurrection. If I’m called to be like Jesus, then I’m called to deny my flesh and trust that God’s plans will prevail. He is the victorious One. 

Giving up indicates there’s something we’re giving up. When friendships get hard, instead of working on them, we may want to give them up, give up the reward of having friends. When our marriages become more than we had expected, we may want to give our spouse up, give up the reward of being married. How many things have we prayed to God for that we now want to give up? 

But imagine if we didn’t give up in that friendship or marriage or trial and instead know that whatever God is doing, He will bring it to completion? Imagine if we believed it wasn’t over yet, that God is doing a new thing, will we perceive it? Imagine if we just let Him do His work and we just trust and obey? Yes, we would have some hard, trying times, but God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and we’d get the opportunity to see God’s glory, like how the disciples saw God’s glory when Lazarus was raised from the dead. Mary and Martha thought it was over, that Lazarus was dead, and they told Jesus as much. But Jesus knew it wasn’t over yet. He had faith in the Father’s Will.

So many times when I’m struggling or suffering or just going through a difficult moment, I truly don’t know if I can go on. I so badly want to move on, move forward, get out of the situation, but I know if I do, I’d be giving up what God has in store for me. Jesus went through the toughest time. So many times He could’ve just said, “Forget it. I’m done preaching truth and giving myself up for slaughter. I’m just going to chill and keep my mouth shut.” But He didn’t. He kept going through the mocking and betrayal and beating and nailing. “…for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…” the Bible says (Hebrews 12:2). Because He knew the cross wasn’t the end. It wasn’t over yet. He was to conquer death, be  raised, His death the eternal sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection an offering of new life in Him, showcasing His power as God. 

So if you’re going through a rough time right now and you want to give up, can you trust God that it’s not over yet? He has a victory for you in the making. Will you see it through? Will you trust that He’s doing a new thing? God’s got it. Trust Him that He knows what He’s doing in your life. And ask Him for help, because He will help, just as He did Lazarus, just as He did with the forgiveness of our sins, just as He did when He gave us the Helper, who is comfort when we need Him most. 

If you would like more encouragement on this subject, check out my video on how to have hope in times of trouble here: https://youtu.be/0_SwQlxh4Bo?si=0xTMmFi4gZOjQAyG

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