Don't Lose Heart

The first week of school is OVER! Whew.

As a teacher/coach I was greatly looking forward to this week, because in all honestly I love the opportunity to educate kids, to motivate kids, and to try and be a positive role model for their lives. Everyday my life will be on center stage for over 300 kids.

Ad much as I was looking forward to this week, I'm going to be honest, it was ROUGH. A lot of things went wrong or were difficult and all of it began to take a toll on me as the week went on. No matter what goes on day to day I've learned that the Word says to HAVE JOY, take joy when you fall into various trials, in the presence of God is fullness of JOY, the fruits of the Spirit are love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... and as much as I need to remember these things for myself, I need to remember them because I have tons of little eyes watching me, evaluating me, trying to figure out who I am.

Tired and frustrated I know my attitude began to decline toward the end of the week. Then the Holy Spirit began to get a hold of me!

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)

As I read this scripture, it was like the breath was taken out of me. Jesus Christ, my best friend, and Savior... suffered for me. He endured hostility when He didn't deserve it. He took a beating He didn't deserve, He took mocking He didn't deserve, He died at the hands of mere men when He is a King... All Jesus would have had to do was speak a Word and He could have stopped the beatings, proved to them His deity, climbed off the cross, and gone on back to heaven in His perfection, BUT He stayed, He endured, for me.

He is the ultimate picture of self-sacrifice, obedience, endurance, and love. If He was able to do all that for me, I must not grow weary or lose heart in the journey that is supposed to be for Him. This life that I live is not for me, but for Him. We have a purpose, we have assignments, and we are supposed to be advancing His kingdom so that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

When I truly consider what Christ did there is no room for me to be weary or to lose heart. He endured much more than I will ever imagine. So rather than sulk in the exhaustion and frustration, I went to the Word for some encouragement. (I needed some encouragement after the slap from the Holy Spirit LOL) So if you're there and just needing some strength, read through these scriptures, print them, post them, say them, heed them....
Be Blessed,
J. Tate

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Gal. 6:9)

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; 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 40:28-31)

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Ps. 28:7)

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (Ps. 29:11)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower ; The righteous runs into it and is safe. (Prov. 18:10)

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Ps. 55:22)