Life-Giving Encouragement: I Want to Quit
By Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. -Psalm 62:8
The Hebrew Christians were scared and weary. They had started their walk with Jesus, filled with hope and a passion for reflecting His compassion to one another. Their faith compelled them to offer practical help to one another. They visited those imprisoned for their faith and shared their goods and money with those impacted by the loss of their jobs and families. Persecution was getting closer and people were dying because of their trust in Jesus. Some of their most trusted friends had left their little church so the base for offering help and hope grew smaller and weaker. They were tired and frightened.
Can you relate? Has God placed a broken friend in your life whose needs overwhelm you? Is your teenager getting on your last nerve? What about your prodigal child? Are his or her life choices so foreign to you that interacting with them doesn’t feel right? Are you frightened because you don’t know how to help? Are you weary because your help doesn’t seem to change anything – you can’t fix your broken friend, your child rejects your love and your co-worker continues to struggle with depression?
What does this Scripture say to you? Encouragement is not an option, something we do when we feel good or will receive high praise and attention because we’re so thoughtful. Encouragement is a command for every child of God. This is good news when we feel inadequate because God equips us for what He calls us to do. Remember, you are not the fixer. You are called to interact with people in a way that helps turn their hearts toward Jesus. God is the fixer. See yourself as partnering with Him in His plans for the one you are burdened to encourage. Read Today’s Treasure again, with that inadequacy in mind. God always equips us for our calling, and one way we experience His equipping is when we recognize we are helpless without Him. He is our refuge. Trust in Him.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
“Women who know Christ and the power of His resurrection realize that God does not leave us helpless in the face of difficulty. He miraculously transforms our meager offerings and uses even the simplest acts to bring about dramatic change.” (Treasures of Encouragement)
Don’t quit, friend! How will you practically encourage your friend to “love and good deeds” today? Is it time to call in reinforcements, i.e. other friends? Does she need you to help clean her house or organize a closet? Those things may seem mundane and not spiritual at all, but your friend’s mind is so cluttered and chaotic, helping her organize her home a little at a time might be a way for her to feel more in control of the rest of her life. Trust He has already equipped you for this task.
PRAYER
Father, we want to run away when the pain brings such devastation when our child rejects You and our love when a friend is drowning in depression. But You call us to run toward the pain. We trust You will direct our steps as we bring these enormous needs to You. Be specific, Lord. Show us how to help turn hearts toward Your dear Son, Jesus.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a nonprofit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, and fourteen grandchildren.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 27 May 2021.
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