Psalm 42:11, “My soul, why are you so downcast?  Why are you groaning inside me?  Hope in God, since I will praise Him again for being my Savior and God.”  

Psalm 42 is an awesome reminder that when you feel absolutely swept away with everything in life you must continue in the confidence that God will come through.  I think we have a tendency to give up too soon or too easily.  We must always remind ourselves to cling to our hope in God.  Cling to His promises knowing that you will praise Him again for coming through for you and for being your Savior and your God if you are walking with Him.

Don’t allow satan to discourage you.  Whether it is that boss who is on your last nerve or a storm that feels as though you were just swept away by a tidal wave of oppression, cling to your hope in God.  He is the only one who has answers to all that you face.  We have been raised to expect things to happen quickly and that is really not how life was ever meant to be.  When a farmer plants his crop he doesn’t expect to harvest it the next day!  He knows he must wait and he needs to pray for the right weather to help it grow.  There are really very few things in life that are any different than that, but if God doesn’t do what we think He should be doing by the time we think He should have done it then we tend to be willing to just throw in the towel and give up.  The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  We can’t give up on what God is doing because it hasn’t happened in our timing.  We must cling to the fact that He will do what He has said He will do and He is working on things that we don’t know and cannot see.  

In 1 Kings 19:3—7, it says:  Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die.  “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.  “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.  

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water.  He ate and drank and then lay down again.  The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”   Sometimes when we get to a point where we are down and discouraged and feel as though we just can’t take one more thing or one more day it is time to stop ~take some time for yourself.  Get that much-needed sleep because everything looks worse when you are exhausted, eat some healthful foods, don’t eat junk or ‘comfort foods’, and take the time to refresh yourself!  You cannot expect to be your best on lack of sleep, eating or drinking junk, and never taking time for yourself!  You will be amazed if you just take the time you need you will have an entirely different outlook!  I know that can be easier said than done, but you may have to allow someone to help you so you can get some rest.  Pray about it and ask God for His direction in what you can do to bring some balance in your life so you don’t neglect your own needs.  You have to take care of the body and mind God gave you if you want to be and do your best for Him!

So don’t give up.  Don’t stop praying!  Cling to Him and wait for all He has planned.  Don’t allow satan to defeat you and your promises from God by giving up too soon!  Trust Him and cling to Him and His word knowing that in Him His best is yet to come!

Quote:  “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”  ~ Will Rogers