I recently had one of the greatest workouts of my life! It’s not that I’m so dedicated but that it took THAT MUCH EFFORT to get the ball over the net!!!
I’m describing a recent tennis game between David (my husband), myself, and some good friends who got together to play. They aren’t just ANY good friends, they belong to a tennis club, AND one of them played competitively in college.
This was only the SECOND time I had EVER played tennis. I was intimidated!
DISCOURAGEMENT CREEPS IN
I left feeling pretty disappointed, uncoordinated and as if my friends had just had to baby sit me for a few hours.
Have YOU ever been at that place where things go from bad to worse?
Well, by midnight I was awake and in incredible pain from my “awesome” workout.
I WANTED TO QUIT
I was feeling so discouraged I wanted to swear off tennis completely! Then the next morning, David woke up and said, “That was so much fun! Let’s go AGAIN!”
I wanted to strangle him, but instead of acting on that, I thought about my options. I had to make some choices.
Everything in me wanted to tell him, “I am so over playing tennis! I am not good enough, it had to be a bad experience for our friends, and I am in PAIN!”
DON’T MISS THE GOOD PART!
Then I started to think about what I would MISS out on.
– Time with my husband
– FUN of being with friends
– The food afterward
– Tremendous workouts
Because there was someone next to me who wanted to continue, and who ENCOURAGED me to continue, I decided I could try it ONE MORE TIME.
DO YOU NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED?
Are you struggling with a tough relationship, a difficult job, or is just getting out of bed in the morning?
When Joshua was discouraged because Moses had died and Joshua was overwhelmed with being tasked to lead the children of Israel, God told him, “Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS!” (Joshua 1:6-7,18)
Just like David encouraged me that I could do it ONE MORE TIME, that’s what I am here to do for YOU.
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11 comments
Thanks Pastor, God always gives you the rifht words to say at the right time.
Love You and be blessed today!! Dee
Dee,
Thanks for sharing! My words only go so far…I’m glad God steps in and does the rest! 🙂
I am not a quitter! I am not a quitter for I am more than a conqueror in Christ. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me….changing my thoughts and ideas have allowed me to drop the “I want to quit” to “I can do it” So don’t be a quitter…be like Nike and Just DO IT!!!
this was great – I needed a story like this, these last 3 weeks have felt like a black cloud over me – I am just waiting for the sun to shine again
Susan,
The words automatically popped in my head, “Here comes the sun, little darlin”
That cloud is moving on out!
Thank you for this message Pastor Nicole. Its funny, I don’t know if this goes directly to you or not, but if it did, I would disclose more. LOL. But honestly, this was for me. I can’t begin to tell you how much I have felt this since my recent transition. Change is scary sometimes and can be intimidating. I just thank God for using you. Love you and God bless you! <3
Cre Mason,
Thank you for your kind words! Transitions can be hard and uncomfortable! BUT don’t lose heart, God will pull us through!
Thank you Pastor Nicole for ALWAYS keeping me encouranged. I had the honor of personally talking with you at Faith Church last night and you spoke into my life about Divorce with a young son more than you know! I appreciate you and Pastor Crank more than you will EVER know. God is using this church to speak into my life and I’m SOOOO greatful! Thank you so much for everything as I go through a divorce with a 7 year old son involved, and trusting God for a great place to live and FULL custody of my son! Regardless, God is Good ALL THE TIME!!!
Karen,
It was wonderful getting to talk with you! Keep your head up, everything will turn out for the GOOD of those who love the Lord! And that means good for both you and your son!
Thank you so much for posting this blog I definitely needed to read this gotta admit I’m sitting here at lunch so discouraged with job but reading your blog helped a lot I’m ready to go back out and finish my job thank you so much I definitely needed and appreciate it
James,
Thanks for sharing! It’s good to know when people are receiving encouragement through the blog! Keep up the good work! God will come through for you!