Don't Give Up

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  Hebrews 12:3

There are times, when I have exhausted all hope and comfort that I can find. When I pray, the Holy Spirit is very quiet. Today is one of those times.  Two and a half weeks ago, my oldest came home from school sick.  There had been a virus going around in his class.  I was up a couple of nights with him and his fever.  A few days later, my youngest had the same virus.  Hers took the form of a croupy cough that made her gag and vomit.  So, I was up quite a bit with her.  At the same time, my husband got the same virus.  He's pretty tough, but this is a bad one, so he wasn't able to help much those days.  A few days later, I had the same virus.  Then, my son's turned into an ear infection...more nights of no sleep.
I can't say for sure, but I think that the combination of lack of sleep and another acute virus, have wreaked havoc on me.  I feel like I've been knocked backwards in my healing from Lyme.  The aches, chills and exhaustion are back in full force.  I cannot tell you how discouraging this is.  I cannot think of facing the week ahead of me, caring for the kids on my own, making sure my kindergartener has everything he needs for school, trying to make meals and clean, etc...


BUT:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was 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 endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you know what I get from that passage?  "Don't Give Up."   When there is nothing else to say or do, when I cannot find help, God says, "Don't Give Up."  There's a song by Misty Edwards, in which she sings, "Don't give up, don't give in. If you don't quit, you'll win, you'll win."  That may seem simple to some, but to me it is profound, it's all I have on days like today...don't give up.

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

I know some may read this and not be able relate to what I am saying.  This may sound scary and depressing to some.  But, for those of you who have been through prolonged trials, for those of you who have days when the light cannot seem to break through, I write this for you. My friend, what are you facing today?  What circumstances are in front of you that rob you of hope and encouragement?  What situation are you in that promises no change this side of eternity?  When you have nowhere to turn, when you are at the end of everything that you know to do, will you join me in enduring?  Keep going, keep looking at Jesus for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.