“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

Reality Check

Remember fairytales and how they always ended with “… and they lived happily ever after?” As I have lived this life, I have never once arrived at that place where I am living happily ever after. I have not yet found that state where all my problems are solved, bluebirds happily twitter over my head, and the sun shines brightly each day. Existence is a struggle to stay on your feet, keep up with life at warp speed, and maintain some sanity in the process. You never “arrive.” Victory in one area is to be celebrated, but other challenges loom on the horizon. We must not grow weary in well doing. We are in a spiritual battle and it is unrelenting. This ain’t no fairytale.

Part of this battle involves our emotions and the way we see things. It is the battle for our mind and our thoughts. Recently I went through a season of deep disappointment regarding the spiritual growth, or lack thereof, that I saw in loved ones. Having the promises of God, I saw my perceived reality as falling far short of my expectation. There were good things to be sure, but there was so much that was still lacking. I was discouraged. Where was the fairytale ending? Had all my prayers, my praises, my testimony, my example come to nothing?

What had happened? I had taken my eyes off the One who never changes and assumed that what I saw was all that would ever be. I was limiting God. Once so certain of what God would do, I was now faltering. I had seen Him move in wonderful ways and yet I was still dissatisfied. I was looking at temporal things; I was believing the lie of the enemy that God was not enough. I was giving up before the battle was over. God had not changed. His sure word to me had not changed.

Two scriptures brought me back to truth and unwavering faith. The first was found in 2 Samuel 23:5: “Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase?”

Things are not yet perfect. The race is not yet run. However, God Himself is in covenant with me and all things are ordered and secure. It is His work and He will perfect it as He promised. He will increase this good work He has begun. He is the LORD and He does not change (Malachi 3:6). Take courage, my soul!

The second scripture gave me instruction to keep on keepin’ on. Although the work to be done in those I loved was a work only He could do, I was to cooperate with Him in faith and perseverance. 2 Timothy 3:14 reminded me that I must “continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of…”

It’s too soon to give up. I was reminded of the children of Israel on the threshold of the promised land who lacked faith to enter into the battle and take possession. They were so close and yet walked away from the victory that was within their grasp. Don’t fall short of His promises. May your faith not fail.

My eyes saw a clearer vision. God anchored my emotions in truth. It ain’t over till the fat angel sings! The battle rages on, but our victory is assured. And beyond this battleground is a land of milk and honeyed promise where we will indeed live happily ever after!

Father, I will not give up on You because You have never given up on me. I look forward to seeing all that You will accomplish as You establish Your kingdom upon this earth and within my heart. I will not grow weary for You are all my strength and hope. Yours is the power to do all and Yours is the glory forever. Amen.