Author Unknown
As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.
He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”
The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?
Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.
Many of us are like those elephants preconditioned to something that we thought to be normal. Accepting what life has thrown your way. That is not kingdom living. God wants so much more for us and all we have to do is step outside of our "comfort zone". Sometimes we want to give up. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, a heart issue, etc., that feeling of just throwing in the towel seems like a great solution, at least temporarily.
While there are times where change is necessary, that’s not giving up.
Change isn’t giving up; doing nothing is giving up.
When you need the strength to keep going, the best place to which to turn is God’s Word. The verses below are meant to be used as a resource for you to remain encouraged.
Keep going, keep running, keep moving, keep praying.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deut. 31:6
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Eph. 6:10
The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. Psalm 71:16
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Cor. 9:24
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Heb. 12:1
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zech. 4:6
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. II Tim. 1:7
It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32
Be Blessed and Remain encouraged
Pastor C.D. and Lady Ana