Have you ever had one of those days when you were ready to throw in the towel? You know, those days when your dreams felt so far away, your plans seemed unreachable, and you wondered if you’d set your sights too high?
I know I’ve had some of those days. More often than I’d like to admit. I’ve felt inadequate as a writer, as a mother, and as a wife. I’ve felt tired, overwhelmed, and stuck.
It’s easy to fixate on your shortcomings and failures. It’s even easier to focus on where you want to be, and start feeling frustrated with where you’re at. It’s easy to want to rush God. We say we trust Him- but deep down, sometimes we think we actually know what’s best.
But one thing I’ve been trying to believe lately, is that every step on this journey is part of my story. Sometimes I get caught up in living for the grande finale- forgetting that there is grandness in every step along the way.
Grandness in the good days and the bad ones. In the productive ones, and the ones that end up completely off track. Grandness in the successes and the failures. In the days you feel like a superhero- and the days when you need a superhero to come and rescue you from the mess you’ve found yourself in. There is significance in every step because of a God who declares those steps to be significant. Especially when we’re offering them to Him along the way.
Life can get overwhelming and sometimes you want to give up. On writing, on singing, on working. On praying, on believing, on surviving. On loving, on giving, and on serving. On hoping and dreaming that things will get better. That you will arrive. But He promises us this, we WILL arrive. Because He who began a good work in you, will carry it to completion. He started this story, and He’s going to finish it. One step at a time.
I don’t know who you are or where you’re at. I don’t know if you’re struggling with failure professionally, or personally. You may feel like giving up on your goals, your desires, or your hope for the future. You may be facing trials in your finances, your family, or your marriage.
But no matter where you’re at today or how you are feeling, look failure, discouragement, and fear in the eye and start believing. This is His thing. And He will prove Himself to be faithful. He always does. He always will.
I’ve been thinking about this in my own life- and was reminded of these 5 most successful people who probably wanted to quit, but didn’t. Who is the 6th, you might ask? It’s you. Add your name to the list, and then trust God to finish what He started.
Dr. Seuss was rejected by publishing companies 27 times, and his children’s books now line the shelves of every home.
Monet’s artwork was mocked and rejected by artists in his generation, and went on to be one of the most respected artists in all of history.
The Beatles were turned down by a recording company who told them their sound was on the way out.
They went on to change the world with their music.
Thomas Edison had 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before inventing the light bulb.
Lucille Ball was dubbed as a failed actress, and in time went on to be one of the greatest icons of American television.
____________________ thought about giving up __________________, but went on to see dreams fulfilled greater than could ever have been asked or imagined (Ephesians 3:20).
Debra is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in dating, marriage, and relationship issues, along with a spectrum of mental health disorders and issues. She’s the author of True Love Dates, Choosing Marriage, Love in Every Season, Are You Really Ok?, and Married Sex. She’s also the host of the Love + Relationships Podcast, a hotline-style show where people call in to get their relationship questions answered!
Her popular relationship advice blog TrueLoveDates.com reaches millions of people each year with the message of healthy relationships! Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter!
Are you single? On April 8th I am hosting another Singles Night Out over zoom! It is going to be a night of fun, fellowship, giveaways, and encouragement for singles featuring a Q&A with special guest Chad Johnson.
