Persevering Through Discouragement!

I have fallen and failed at many things.

Some things I gave up on (I’m sad to say)

In some things, my emotions got the best of me, and I cried all the way through.

I’ve been through infertility, though it was tough, I didn’t give up, and now we have four children and one in heaven.  We’ve been through job loss and insufficient funds, but we didn’t give up, and now my husband is looked after and we are provided for everyday.

We’ve been through many other big trials.

But, what about the small ones?, if you can call them that. Ones like trying to teach your child math, or taming an angry tongue.

I had recognized for the last few years, a lie that I was believing. A lie that hung over my head until recently.

That lie was  “I am Stupid”.

When I would fail at something, or not do it as well as the next person, this lie would become bigger.

At the beginning of this year, I had an opportunity to take a class in finance.  This was  FAR from what I enjoy to read about, I’m a baking and crafty girl…. not finance and money!  But I reluctantly took the plunge. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,  because God speaks TRUTH to me, and He told me I was Brilliant!.

During this time, my daughter was also struggling with a section of her math. She would often say she wanted to give up, cry, and move on to the next section ( I knew she could do it, I think she just didn’t like it).

When it came time for me to take my big exam,…… I unfortunately failed.

I.  Was. Devastated.

Being and active mom with four young children, made it very difficult to study. But…… I was NOT giving up!.  I was on my way to proving something to myself, and if this meant I needed to study more and take the exam again,  so be it!

I needed some strength!.

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:31

My daughter came up to me when I found out my mark with tears down my face, and said “Mama, will you need to take the test again?”.  I told her,  I don’t need to,  I want to.

She was confused.

I was then able to explain to my kids, that God doesn’t want us to give up!  He wants us to persevere even when we’re discouraged and don’t want to continue.

The next month came along, and I took that hard test again.  This time ……. I Passed!

A feeling of freedom, accomplishment and joy flooded over me. God spoke to me “YOU DID IT”.

And I now know that lie of being stupid,  is conquered.

In the big picture of things, this is such a small trial/test. But because I persevered and didn’t give up, I grew that much more!.  I now have this to speak into others lives …..  including my 7 year old daughter who has now seen me work hard and not give up. I accomplished my goal.  I can now use this to help her with her math ….. or any other hard situation that comes up.

‘Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything’.  James 1:4

If there is a trial in your life, or a hard task that you are struggling to accomplish, big or small, God wants to GROW you.

He wants to strengthen you, and have you finish with JOY.  The Glory be to Him!