Just keep trying

“…The sure and general rule for all who groan for the salvation of God is this,  whenever opportunity serves, use all the means which God has ordained; for who knows in which God will meet thee with

the grace that bringeth salvation?”

John Wesley

The storms of life can be overwhelming spiritually, emotionally, and physically…. Life sometimes feels like being in a riptide, those powerful currents that run underneath the ocean. If you’re in one and you try to swim directly to shore, the riptide will drag you back out to sea. As you continue to try to make forward progress, it will sap your strength. Many people have died trying to make it to the shore in a riptide. The key to surviving is to swim parallel to the beach until you find a safe area where there is no riptide.

During difficult times in our lives, we swim sideways, hoping that the powerful forces that are buffeting us will slow down so we can make some forward progress again. Some days we’re swimming strongly, some days we’re just doggy-paddling along, and some days, we just float, trying to keep our heads above water.

We just do what we can.

In trying times, you just keep trying!

Negative energy, to be miserable, sad, depressed, discouraged and fearful takes a lot of work! Think of all the emotional energy that goes into those choices. It’s pretty significant. Now consider how much emotional energy it takes to be strong. It takes effort to be strong, courageous, positive and brave, but I would contend that it takes less energy than choosing the negative.

Trials and tribulations really are: strengthening opportunities. Our challenges are tremendous opportunities to choose strength and to grow stronger.

No one is thrilled over experiencing trying times. I doubt any of us have prayed to request trials and tribulations to come into our lives. But when they do come, they invariably

bring blessings with them if we let them.

We will find out what we’re made of. So just keep trying!

by Merrilee Boyack - Cancer Survivor

 “Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

Ronald E. Osborn