Life is full of setbacks. Sometimes, finding the courage to stay strong and carry on is the most difficult part. It’s easy to feel like giving up when recuring obstacles threaten to defeat us.
Our recent move to Tennessee is a good example of real challenges we’ve faced lately. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong. Our litany of problems included a multitude of mechanical failures: overheated radiators, flat tires, and broken mowers (to name a few). Thank goodness, my husband can repair almost anything. What a relief to nearly be finished with this long ordeal.
A few months ago, Tim left to ready our new home while I stayed to finish my work in Indiana. It’s been tough living separately, but soon we plan to transport our travel trailer, two cats and our dog, on down to the farm. Please pray for safety in the final step of our relocation journey.
My daughter, Anna, is hoping my arrival will precede the birth of her twins. If all goes well, this Nana will be settled in and ready to help out long before the entrance of these precious babies into the world. But the process has not been easy. When overwhelmed with constant setbacks, how did I keep from simply giving up? Three resolutions gave me the courage to stay strong and carry on through all the challenges.
Priority
Long ago, I determined to serve God and love people as my top priority. The Lord knows, I often fail. But, when I stumble (everyday), I purposefully turn my focus back to Jesus and He redirects my steps. Jesus gives me the strength to keep going.
Praise
An attitude of gratitude conquers a negative mindset every time. When all the setbacks push my down, I push back by naming my blessings. God’s good provisions for me greatly outnumbers the bad occurrences. And who knows, perhaps what I think is bad, might turn out to be a blessing in disguise to strengthen and grow me.
Persistence
I’ve heard it said that life is a not a sprint but a marathon. Like the competition between the tortoise and the hare, persistence wins the race more often than speed. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I resolved not to quit . . . No matter what. The same attitude that got me through medical school, works in me now. Persistence is the key to success in almost any endeavor.
So, if you examine these three resolutions of priority, praise and persistence, you’ll realize they’re all about mindset. What you think determines how you act. We can control our thoughts more than we realize. It’s a matter of focus.
Focus (and refocus) on your life goals. Keep your mind from drifting into negativity by looking to Jesus as your coach. He’s cheering you on to reach the finish line giving you courage to stay strong and carry on.
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 New American Standard Bible
