Jun 19, 2018

Friend, Don't Give Up


Thick heat pierced the stillness of the forest as a girl sat crying under the emerald canopy.  She thought back to years before, starting a project that had only continued to grow on her heart.  Long hours, endless study, revision and starting over.  And yet, in a few words, her hopes were crushed.  As the summer day stifled her tears in the humid air, she wondered if she should give it up.  Rocks bruised her feet as she shifted on a hard log.  Her eyes stared out into the endless green.

She was only one person.  Only torrents of tears that no one saw.  But across the country, the same feeling broke other hearts.

Someone tried hard as time raced too fast, but he failed anyway.

A relationship shattered, leaving a woman's life broken as she wondered if her life had purpose anymore.

Sometimes they wanted to just give up.

But what they didn't know is that they weren't ever alone.  In the darkest times, the hardest trial, they were loved.  And even in the stifling heat, a cool breeze was waiting to wash over them when they raised their voice for help.






















Dear Friend,

Life is confusing.  It hurts sometimes.  But you are loved.

Recently, a discouraging message made me wonder if I should give up a writing project that was important to me.  I was that crying girl, hiding under the forest trees and wondering why my words were wasted if I had asked God to guide me in their writing.

But the point was that nothing was wasted.  Even though I wanted to throw the project in the leaves and leave them alone so no one could read them, they had a purpose.  My words - no matter how flawed - had purpose because I wrote them for Him.

They need revision, correction, and maybe parts need to be deleted altogether.  But I can't give up.  We can't give up.  Not when God has thrust us on an adventure to bring something to completion.

Every talent, gift, and longing has a purpose, even when we don't know what it is.

It doesn't matter how many people read your words, hear your voice, or see your name.  All that matters is that you live every moment for Him.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Colossians 3:17

 As one of my favorite bloggers wrote,

Sometimes you feel ordinary, and everyone seems to be able to do life better than you, and look prettier, and write better, and reflect Jesus more. But you share anyway because God is right there revealing Himself. He whispered that anyone can be used of Him, and no one is mediocre because He hand designed every facet of us all for a specific purpose.
- Jessica from Apples of Gold

No, we can't do it on our own.  But He never asked us to.  We can face trials and temptation because the One who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  We can press on because Christ is our fortress, our tower, our shield (Psalm 144:2).

Friend, it's okay to be weak and see our faults.  But in our weakness, don't be discouraged; instead let the trials turn your eyes upon Jesus.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace... The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

Let us not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), because God has a purpose.  He knows our future and will carry us onto the day of completion.

Whatever it is - living out hard things, struggling to be still in His presence, or just getting out of bed in the morning  - press on, friend.  You are loved.  And you're never alone.





















God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
- Psalm 46:1-2

(ps)  This song by Josh Groban inspired me in writing this post.  I will warn that there's some immodesty in the music video, but the message of the lyrics has encouraged me multiple times.

~♥~ 

22 comments:

  1. Wow! Thank you for writing this post! You are a very talented writer. God has given you this gift! This post really hit home for me.
    Keep shining His light!
    -Brooklyne

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    1. I am so blessed to hear that, Brooklyne! Girly, don't let anything keep you from living out the story God wants to write with your life. He will carry you on until the day of completion. Press on, friend! You are so very loved.

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  2. Beautiful post, Hosanna. I like how you said, “let the trials turn your eyes upon Jesus”.
    Whatever we do.... let it all be for Him. Thanks for this encouragement :).
    And Hosanna, you are a talented writer who reflects Jesus through what you write. Don’t give up. Keep writing for Him and trust in His plans.
    Keep living for Him! :)

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    1. Sarah, your words are encouraging! It is easy to listen to the enemy's lies, but God has a perfect plan for us when we surrender to His will - when we turn our eyes upon Jesus.

      Oh yes, everything is about Jesus. He is the Giver of true joy and the reason we can press on. My dear friend, you are so treasured and loved! Don't ever give up. And thank you for the blessing you are to me so often. =)

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  3. What a wonderful post, Hosanna! Thanks for sharing this truth and encouragement - we all need it. It's so easy to doubt ourselves and give up in life and in writing, but perseverance is worth it. We DO have something powerful and important to say, and the ability to write it well. It will be messy and imperfect at first - and even after it's polished and becomes the best it can be - but it's beautiful and good in both forms. Keep writing and pressing on, sweet girl! Don't you give up, either! <3

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    1. Thank you, sweet Mary! I am so thankful that there is beauty in our brokenness because of Jesus! Through Him, our words have purpose. Through Him, we can rejoice in everything. Through Him, we don't have to give up!

      Girly, whatever is going on in life, know that you are loved. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement!

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  4. What a crushing moment the Lord took and turned into a post that has already made a mark on peoples' hearts or days. Hosanna, dear friend, I hope you'll see the Lord's hand in orchestrating everything good that comes from this and be delighted to remember that He invites you to be part of His work. <3

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    1. Jordy, what a beautiful reminder! I hadn't realized that God chose to use that painful moment to encourage others. I did look back on it with thankfulness for the lessons He taught me - humility, His purposes, trust - but how especially dear that He uses every moment to further His good plans. We are incredibly blessed to be part of His greater work!

      Dear friend, know that you have made a difference in my life and are also being used by our loving King to change the world. What a treasure you are!

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    2. Hosanna, dear friend, you're so sweet. As you said in the first part of your comment, how dear that the Lord uses every moment to further His good plans (and - I might add - to astound and bless us at the same time!) He truly does work all things together for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His good purpose.

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    3. Ah, that reminds me of a favorite verse. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

      Every beautiful and every broken area in life is used by His hand to write our future story. He's so faithful! Why would we ever give up with His hope? ♥ We are so very blessed!

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  5. This is wonderful!Thingking of how great God is!More of this to inspire people.

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    1. Thank you, Sam! God is indeed so great and loving. I pray you press on towards Him and let His love guide your life!

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  6. Wow this is just what I needed to hear today, thank you so so much for sharing Hosanna. Don't ever stop writing for the Lord, you may not think you are making a difference but you never know the influence you have on those around you <3

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    1. Ashley, your words are such a blessing! Sometimes I wonder what great plans God has that are completely beyond our understanding. We must only be faithful, and He will use our surrendered lives for His glory. What an honor!

      Girl, don't ever give up. You are so very loved and treasured! Thank you for brightening my day today. =)

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  7. I know so many people who need to hear this message—myself included. So many times I know I'm failing and I just want to quit, but you're right, there is still purpose, even if we can't seem to see it. Whatever we do, we need to do it for God's glory, not our or others. Thank you for the wonderful reminder, Hosanna!
    Bethany
    bethanyr4Him.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh yes, Bethany! I've discovered in my life that we most often fail when we are striving in our own strength. We can never "be good enough." But with Him, there is purpose. Joy. A future.

      Press on for Jesus, my friend! And never give up on His plans for you. ♥

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    2. You have such wisdom, Hosanna! Thank you for sharing it! <3

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    3. Aw, thank you, Bethany! You're so encouraging. ♥

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  8. Thanks so much for this, Hosanna. It spoke to me. You are so loved too. xx

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    1. Your words mean a lot to me, dear Jessica. ♥ We're loved by an incredible, holy God. What joy!

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  9. This actually answered my drawback, thanks! casino online

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    1. I'm thankful God used this post to bless you, Fillip. Keep seeking to discover more of Him!

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