It is so easy to look at the state of our world, our country, our state, city, communities and even within our own families and feel hopeless due to all of the adversity we are surrounded by. The appearance of evil is more prevalent than good. No one chooses to fully commit to the statues of God. Nobody desires to truly forgive and let go. There are all sorts of division in the body of religion (not Christ). Notice that I did not say the body of Christ. The body of Christ is not divided. I don’t have time to go here. 😱🙅🏽

Shoot, after all this chaos and thoughts of hopeless, you’ll soon begin to wonder if God even cares. If not careful, we will carry the mindset of quitting and giving up.

I just wanted to encourage you on today. A simple statement that is so powerful. When faced with adversity on today, remember these words:

Don’t give up!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This is a strategy of the enemy. It is a distraction. In this world, because of sin, we are going to have trials and tribulations. There is no way around the tragedies, but there is a way to push through them. We must change our focus of despair to one of opportunity. It is not easy to do alone. What I am saying cannot be done under self-will. This must be done under the submission of the Holy Spirit. He is our guide and He is our comforter.

Tests and trials are opportunities to pray, seek the Lord for guidance, utilize your relationship with the Lord, and introduce someone to the Lord or more importantly, you yourself establish a stronger relationship with the Lord.

I have to tell you- you’re going to need it. We all will. If we don’t strengthen ourselves and become rooted in the word of God, our souls will slowly decay.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,”Matthew‬ ‭24:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Don’t give up! Your burdens have a purpose.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” I Peter‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Don’t give up! Your broken-heart will bring God closer to you- I am a witness.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalms‬ ‭34:18‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Don’t give up! Your suffering will bring you closer to our Savior.

“My suffering was good for me, because through it I learned your statutes.” Psalms‬ ‭119:71‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Don’t give up…
Don’t give up….
Don’t give up…

Do NOT give up on Jesus, because He did not give up on you!

“Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭CEB‬‬