Tired of Toughing It Out?

What to Do If You're Tired of Toughing It Out
(Overcoming Negative Thoughts for a Positive Life)

Have you ever noticed how so many different thoughts run through our minds every day? Some are good, some bad. Unfortunately, our natural temptation is to focus on the bad; so accepting them doesn't take any effort. The effort comes when we're determined to cast down the negative thoughts, and take a firm grasp of the positive ones.

The Battle for Your Thoughts

Positive minds full of faith and hope produce positive lives. The opposite is also true: negative minds full of fear and doubt produce negative lives, which can ultimately destroy your life. Some people have been hurt so many times that they don't think they can face the pain of another letdown. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed.

Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel the battle is just too difficult and want to give up, we must choose to resist negative thoughts and be determined to rise above our problems. We must decide that we're not going to quit.

When we're bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: "I'll never give up! God's on my side. He loves me, and He's helping me! I'm going to make it!"

Don't Give Up!

No matter how bad the battle rages in your mind, don't give up! Step out and regain the territory that's been stolen from you. Even if it's only an inch at a time, make sure you're leaning on God's grace and not on your own ability.

In Galatians 6:9 the apostle Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God's looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive.

Whatever you may be facing or experiencing in your life right now, I want to encourage you to stay positive and refuse to give up! God is with you. He'll help you make spiritual progress - strengthening and encouraging you to keep on keeping on during rough times. It's easy to quit, but it takes faith to press on to victory.

In The Middle Of The Noise

When your mind will not slow down, it can feel exhausting in a way that is hard to explain. Your body might be still, but your thoughts keep moving. You try to rest, but your head fills with reminders, worries, conversations, plans, and fears. One thought leads to another and then another. Before you know it, you feel overwhelmed and worn out, even if you have not done anything yet.

You want to pray, but it feels hard to focus. You want peace, but your mind keeps running back to everything you need to do, everything you forgot to do, and everything you are trying to figure out. It can make you feel distant, distracted, and tired.

God understands what it feels like to carry a restless heart.

In Psalm 94:19 it says, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” That verse does not pretend that the thoughts are not there. It says a multitude. A mind full. Thoughts layered on top of each other. And right in the middle of that, God’s comfort is still present.

You do not have to wait for your mind to be perfectly calm to come to God. You can come with all the noise. You can come with every anxious thought. You can come when you feel scattered.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Peace is not something you force. It is something God holds for you. When your thoughts start running in every direction, you can gently bring your attention back to Him again and again. Even if it lasts only a few seconds at a time.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says we can bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” That does not mean you will never have anxious thoughts. It means you are allowed to hand them over, one by one. Every fear. Every pressure. Every what if. You do not have to carry them all by yourself.

And in Philippians 4:7, there is this promise: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Not peace that makes sense. Not peace that comes because everything is figured out. Peace that stands guard over your mind when it feels like too much.

If your mind will not stop racing, you are not failing. You are human. You are carrying a lot. And God is not standing far away waiting for you to get it together. God is near in the middle of it.

Even if your prayer is just a deep breath.

Even if your prayer is just, God help me.

Even if your thoughts are still loud.

God meets you there, in the middle of the noise, and holds you with a gentleness that does not rush you or shame you.

- Ellie Mont

Walking The Valley With God

I don’t have shiny faith. Most days it looks like worn out boots. Scuffed from miles I didn’t plan on walking. Heavy from valleys I thought I would be past by now.

I love God.

And I’m tired.

Tired of being strong.

Tired of explaining why this season is still hard.

Tired of praying the same prayers and wondering if they’re landing anywhere at all.

But I keep walking…

Not because I feel brave.

Not because I feel full of hope.

But because I’ve learned that God meets me in the valley, not just on the mountain.

Some days trusting Him looks like whispering His name through tears.

Some days it looks like getting up when I’d rather stay in bed.

Some days it looks like saying, “I don’t understand this,” and walking anyway.

That’s faith too.

The kind no one claps for.

The kind that aches.

The kind that keeps moving even when the path is slow and uneven.

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9b

If your faith feels worn but you’re still taking one more step, you’re not failing. You’re walking the valley with God.

And He hasn’t let go of you.

Provided by "Little Sparrow Loved"

Motivational: "Strength Is Born In The Dark"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"When you’re tired and weak, turn to Me - the source of your Strength. Sometimes I will instantly pour My Power into you. Other times, I will make you stronger bit by bit, giving you just enough strength to do the next right thing. This is My way of keeping you close to Me, talking to Me, and leaning on Me. When you are close to Me, you can hear Me whisper how much I love you. Trust Me - the Lord God - and I will give you strength."

"My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need."
- Philippians 4:19

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

Meme: Keep Praying...

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to be weak. I understand how difficult things have been. I don’t want to judge you. I just want to wrap you up in My everlasting arms and let you rest. Forget about the world, forget the things you need to do, forget the pressures - just come to Me and rest."

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

- Isaiah 42:3 (NIV)

- "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"As you journey along your life-path with Me, refuse to let the past define you or your expectations of what lies ahead. You may feel as if the road you are on is tiresome or even a dead end. That is because you’re projecting the past into the future. The roadblock you are straining to see up ahead is really just an illusion. The future is in My hands, and I can do surprising things with it!"

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  - Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV)

- "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"At times you feel so weak and tired that you just don’t know if you have the energy to keep going. You feel like the flame of a candle that is flickering and about to burn out. Perhaps you think about coming to Me, but you are afraid I will demand something else of you. And you are just so tired. Or perhaps you worry that I will see your weakness as a lack of faith. So you avoid Me. It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to be weak. I understand how difficult things have been. I don’t want to judge you. I just want to wrap you up in My everlasting arms and let you rest."

"A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth." - Isaiah 42:3 (NKJV) - "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Hold tightly to My hand - by talking to Me, by reading My Word, by praising Me. I will not only help you face your troubles, but you will grow stronger because you have faced them. There will be times when you feel tired and weak. Don’t think this means I’m unhappy with you. It’s simply part of living in this broken world. Remember that you are not alone. I am always with you."

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me."  - Psalm 138:7

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young