Having the opportunity to serve the Lord through writing faith-based short stories and devotionals will forever be my greatest joy.
I have traveled along on the writing journey for about ten years now, yet it would be untruthful to tell you that I've never felt like quitting.
I know I have.
Have you ever felt that way?
Are you in a season of distraction or discouragement?
The Lord placed this thought and those questions on my heart because I know that many others who remain faithful in serving the Lord in their own respective way are met with same opposition from Satan.
Sometimes it's difficult for you not to feel distracted and discouraged---as if the joy that you once held in your heart is somehow nowhere to be found.
The good news is that while opposition will never go away on this side of Heaven, there are things to remember and tools that we can use to fight off those fiery darts and keep on keepin' on! (One of my all time favorite phrases)
Today, I want to walk along the practical path and share some tips that I have learned along the way as well as some passages of Scripture serve as encouragers in the midst of those "not so easy" seasons of service to the Lord.
I have used my writing journey as an example but this applies to anyone and everyone who is doing something for Christ.
Let's start things off by discussing Satan's tactic of distraction. Have you ever felt spurned because someone wasn't receptive when you shared the Gospel with them?
I wrote this example out and labeled is as distraction because it IS easy for us to become consumed by one person's negative response.
Sometimes its easy to feel like it's our responsibility to save them.
But it's not. Only Jesus can do that.
Our job is to simply plant the seed.
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:6-9 KJV)
Let us continue with the discussion about discouragement. This is a hugely popular tactic that Satan loves to use and one that I know most battle every single day.
Have you ever felt like what you do for the Lord is small and unimportant? Those days happen sometimes and honestly, the best thing to keep in mind is that you may be the only exposure to Christ that someone has. You have the ability to reach someone in a way that others may not. Not everyone knows who you know. Remember that little is much when God is in it and that you are a precious and invaluable resource to them.
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV)
Ultimately, Satan's mission is to destroy by stealing your joy in what you are doing for the Lord; he wants to make you feel as if you aren't doing enough or that God wouldn't want to use you anymore because you mess up all the time. (I wrote these out because I have personally dealt with these in the past)
None of that is true, my friend. And it's important to remember that while we could never do enough to repay Christ for all that He did for us, we are given the opportunity to serve Him with a heart of abundant joy. We aren't forced to, and there shouldn't be any pressure felt because of your mistakes. We all fall short of His glory and none of us are perfect. In my eyes, that's where the true joy in serving Jesus lies, being yourself and sharing your experiences while teaching and encouraging others.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 KJV)
I hope and pray that these reminders would serve as an encouragement for the heart that needs it today. Remember to keep on keepin on' for the cause of Christ! ❤️
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