Late to work, no time for devotions, cussing at those on the road with him and the awful weather he sees.  Running through the motions at his job, thoughts are distracted and wrong, can’t hear, can’t feel God.  Temptation comes and he falls once again.  Lonely and discouraged he yells at his Lord to make it all go away, end his pain.  And, at the end of the day, he argues with his wife, puts down his children and kicks the dog, again.  Before sleep comes, he cries out, “forgive me, Lord, for I am a sinner.”  In his heart, he vows to try harder, do better, be more like the man he’s supposed to be, knowing all the while that he will fail.

And, like it or not, he is forgiven and loved.  What he deserves doesn’t matter.  And if you ever wonder, sometimes he wishes he would get what he deserves because he doesn’t like himself very much at all.  Outwardly, he talks a good game but inwardly, he can’t believe his wife ever gave him the time of day, his God ever noticed him or saw him as worth saving.  He fights with the idea that God could love him, could forgive him.

Depressing, defeated, and completely denying the truth of who God is and His power at work.

The awesome part of all of this comes if that same man (or woman) just holds on, keeps confessing, does not quit on seeking God and listening for his voice, he will see victory.  He will taste and see that his Lord is good.

Philippians tells us that, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.”

Don’t give up my brother, my sister.  Trust Him, believe that He is with you, even when you can’t see it.  Look for His blessings, they are there.  Rest in Him, He is your fortress.

Don’t give up.