Don't Give Up!

Three powerful words: never give up. I've begged you, "please don't give up!"

• You who is separating from your husband…don't give up!
• You who is fighting uncontrollable stress…don't give up!
• You who is struggling from anxiety…don't give up!
• You who is doubting the possibility of healing…don't give up!
• You who is running from obedience…don't give up!
• You who is seeking mere honesty….don't give up!
• You who is attempting to dream big…don't give up!

Did you hear me?

You. Yes, you!

I am asking that you don't give up!

Why?

Because I almost gave up. Since, "being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permeant (unknown)."  God doesn't call you to give up. Instead, He asks that you be dependent on Him.  For He will grant strength and inspire you to persevere. Truthfully, "if you keep going [persevering] you won't regret it. If you give up you will (unknown)." 

At the time, he glanced deep into my eyes and said, "Charlene, you will fail in all your relationships and everything that you do until you learn to receive and be dependant...you need to ask." Those words stung. I didn't want to fail; consequently, I had.  One rather simple concept that I lacked, which was my need to receive and be dependant.

I can acknowledge that it is humbling to learn how to receive and be dependant. It required that I stop.

• I stopped writing
• I stopped giving gifts
• I stopped offering advice
• I stopped laughing 
• I stopped affirming or encouraging
• I stopped caring what people thought
• I stopped being creative
• I stopped baking
• I stopped everything that once defined who "Charlene" was
• Furthermore, I stopped hiding that I was fine or simply ok

In all honestly, I stripped myself of who I was and became rather raw. I isolated myself for a period of time and stopped. I despertly wanted to give up, since I felt scared, confused, and rather empty. 

And than I started one specific thing: asking God. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV). Furthermore, "I sought [asked for] your favour with all my heart" (Psalm 119:58 NIV). 

• I asked God for truth
• I asked God for help
• I asked God how to respond
• I asked God for discernment
• I asked God how to love when it seemed impossible
• I asked God for grace
• I asked God how to respect someone who'd been dishonest
• I asked God for forgiveness
• I asked God for blessing
• Furthermore, I boldly asked God for favour

Almost a year later, my brother said, "Charlene, I thought I lost you. I feared I'd never get my sister back.  The sister who was known to always be joyous, creative, quick to encourage or affirm, gracious, energetic, adventurous, generous, comical, and passionate. And what about your famous banana chocolate chip muffins?" 

I recall smiling and softly stating, "Oh don't worry...she is back, yet it's the healthier version of Charlene!" 

To be healthy required that I ask and learn to be dependant on others, yet especially on God. I can't think of living life now without asking Him about each and every moment. Hence, I believe it is healthy to stop and ask before responding; to stop and ask before reacting; and to stop and ask before judging or criticizing. 

You…

It isn't time to give up, rather it's time to ask God.

As your friend, I haven't given up on you.

Your heavenly father, He hasn't given up on you.

So today, what are you asking God about?

Charlene