I Can't-Part 2

"To persevere or not to persevere that is the question"

Our family is in a place where we have had to persevere in many areas of our own personal lives and as a family.  This time of testing is what our Heavenly Father says will happen so He can mold us and make us into what he wants us to be.  It doesn't feel good and it can cause us to be fearful and discouraged when things don't work out, when things are hard and feel impossible, or when we feel like we just don't have the energy to go on.  The situation can be as big as unemployment and as small as a 6th grade math problem.  No matter what the situation we can choose to persevere despite the obstacles in our way.

What does persevere mean anyway? (According to the Websters Dictionary)
"to persist in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition or discouragement."

What does it mean to persist?
"to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition; to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position"

So if I am feeling discouraged or that my situation is too overwhelming, I can choose to give up or I can choose to "resolutely or stubbornly remain fixed, on what lies ahead or on the other side, of this situation in spite of the opposition, counter influences or discouragement that I may be experiencing." 

As a believer (in Jesus Christ the Son of God) I have a hope, and I have His Word that He will be with me and will never forsake me.  He has given me examples of other men and women that have had faith in Him and have persevered through various situations or trials so that I know I am not alone and that I CAN persevere through faith in Him. 

If you also know Him, you have the same hope and can rejoice in the fact that you CAN also persevere through faith in Him.  If you don't know Jesus, you can know Him and have this same hope.  First, you can meet Him by reading through the book of John in the Bible, and then making a decision to turn from your ways and follow Him. It will be the best thing you will ever do!

Blessings to you as you persevere through the situations that you are going through today!

"I Can’t!" – Part 1

This morning while my son was working on an assignment in science, he started whining and saying “I can’t do this, it is too hard”! I sat down with him and asked him to put down his pencil, turn around, and take a deep breath.  He cooperated, but not with the attitude that I had hoped for.  I had to continue to direct him to do this about 2 more times until he was calm and could focus.  (It helped me to remain calm also)

Once I had his attention, I made sure that he was looking at my eyes and I began to explain “why” he was doing this assignment.  I told him that the assignment was mainly to help him learn how to teach himself to learn new information.  I gave him the steps to follow, which I have done on many previous occasions.  This time I reiterated it calmly. (I can’t say that I have done that much in the past). 

How many times have I said “I can’t do this”?  Have I stopped what I’m doing (or what I’m thinking), turned around (from the situation or feeling), and taken a deep breath (break/timeout perhaps)?  And focused?  Unfortunately, I can’t say that I have exercised this very often.

After today, when I feel like crying “I can’t”, I plan to do my best to remember to stop, turn around, take a deep breath and refocus on “why” I’m doing this (whatever the "this" is). 

Finally, my son was able to accomplish the assignment before him once he followed the steps he was given, and I did not hear him saying “I can’t” anymore today.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Phil. 4:13