Stay the course during tough times
"Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.'"
- Acts 27:31 (AMP)
How many times have you felt like giving up? The obstacles are too tough. You can't seem to get the hang of things. You feel like you'll never amount to anything. The goals you set seem like they are beyond your reach.
My niece found her self-esteem had suffered. She had experienced abuse as a child and as an adult with two abusive marriages, which were behind her. She was trying to get her life on track. She longed for a different life for herself and her three daughters.
Determined to change her life, she set her sights on nursing school. But in order to fulfill her goal she faced many obstacles. She studied many hours and worked to support her family. She found learning new things didn't come as easily for her as did it for others. She failed many of her exams and classes, and had to get special tutors in order to make it through.
Frustration and discouragement felt like her companions. Tears often stained her pillow as she wondered, why do things have to be so hard? But in the midst of her failures, she didn't jump ship and give up. She set her sights to fulfill her plan.
With God's help and determination, she met her goal and changed her life.
The apostle Paul faced a stormy situation. He was on a ship and in the midst of a hurricane. The men on board were running out of food and courage. Paul prayed and God sent an angel who gave him instructions that no man was to jump ship, or they wouldn't survive.
When we face the storms of life, many times we want to jump ship. We want to abandon our mission. We want to leave our job or quit pursing our goals. But God has the same message for us - don't jump overboard or you won't make it. You won't fulfill the good plan he has in mind for you.
Whether your goal is peace on your job, confidence in what you do, or some other vision you have, remember, visions don't come to pass overnight. Keep moving forward. Even if you don't see any progress for a long time, stay on board your ship.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She will be in Gurnee Tuesday, May 10, at Panera Bread at 7 p.m. Annettee can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com. She is available to speak at your church or Bible study group.