“How much longer can I go on?” and “I give up!”
Have you ever thought this? Even said or screamed it out loud?
For me, yes and yes!
Situations can be tiring to say the least; especially things that have gone on for a long time. There are many that have endured hardships for months and years and they are tired. Physically, mentally and emotionally. No end is in sight. No change is foreseeable on the horizon. No relief has been forecasted.
What do I do when I need relief?
- Cry…. usually in the shower. I am alone and the water is cleansing.
- Just get through today. A quote I love from the movie Vacation where Clark Griswald has dragged his family from one nightmare to another and he asks his wife what she thinks, her quote “But with every new day there’s fresh hope” makes me smile.
- Go to bed early. A good night’s sleep will do wonders and in my dreams anything can happen!
- For those who belive in God, pray. Sometimes, I am so low I don’t even want to pray for my situation. Tell a friend and know they are thinking of you.
Finally, BELIEVE!
Right now, I have ten chickens. They have been eating and growing, eating and growing…. but no eggs. I know eventually there will be eggs. I do not know the minute, the hour or the day it will happen, but I know there will be eggs. What if I gave up on those chickens and just whacked them? Ka-chunk with that axe! I decide I’m tired of waiting for those eggs. They’re never gonna lay any. I’M DONE!
What if tomorrow was the day? Can you imagine the surprise and horror if I killed those chickens and when I was gutting them an egg was in there ready to drop?!?!? (Slightly graphic, sorry!) What if the breakthrough or for lack of a better word, miracle, you have been waiting for was that close and you gave up that dream, hope, and destiny for yourself or your situation? I don’t want to be a day short in what could be. I don’t want to miss “it” and miss out.
Are you in the waiting right now? Don’t give up, know others are pulling for you and you will make it! Julie Gillies talks about “staying in the hard spot” and gives more suggestions and thoughts on how to make it through.
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Oh, I so get the “I’m done!” My family has heard me say that before. And how much do I love that you quoted Vacation!
~ Wendy
Hi Diane,
Good post here!
I SO agree with your suggestions: tears are healing, and sometimes we just need a good cry before we can pick ourselves up and go on. And prayer is essential. Sometimes I feel like a praying machine, but it’s ALWAYS what gets me through. And I’m a huge proponent of going to bed early…especially on hard days. Sometimes we’re physically exhausted by all we’re going through, and a good night’s sleep DOES do wonders.
Oh, and thank you for linking my post…it seems like God is saying something here.
Thanks for this awesome post! It was much needed right now.
And I will throw out one more suggestion if the crying etc doesn’t work… find chocolate.
I’ve had plenty of those days, well, months actually, so can relate. But then I get a serious perspective smack upside my head and move on…I figure I may as well move forward in a good way with divine help rather than wallow around (although wallowing is tempting and easier most times!). Will check out this link, thanks so much. Thanks also for the tips on working things through. Have a great week!
I think that “I’m done!” has been my slogan for the past month, I am ashamed to say. And all it has done is breed discontentment in me and in my kids. Time to pick up and move on because,”I’m not even close to done.”
Thanks for the great post.
Sound words. Giving up is not an option- if God called me to it I must do it. I’ve learned that His plans for me are always best. The pain of waiting still lingers at times, but I trust that I will reap if I do not faint.
Yes!! I have a friend who told me that if we give into the intimidation (giving up) we were actually further away from the goal than if we stuck our neck out there (pardon the chicken reference) . Keep it going!
There’s something about that hard spot, where all you can do is raise your hands and cry, “Surrender!” I really try to remember that place and live that way even when things are great/easy.
When I get to that place, I do not walk, but run to my Abba Father! And a good night’s sleep doesn’t hurt either.
Blessings,
Susan
A good cry is usually all I need. And chocolate, of course. Depends on the situation, honestly. Cause sometimes I need prayer too.
Yup that’s me today. I was discouraged but then I cried out to the Lord for strength, balled my eyes out, took a hot shower and felt better. The Lord is good.
Diane, life makes us wait all kinds of ways. I ditto your methods above, and add walking about in nature, helps me too. Kind’a get back to God’s creations. Good post, and I like Julie, too.
Yep, definitely waiting.
Good tips, esp. with sleep. A good night’s sleep can make a huge difference.
I’ve reached that point with jobs in teh past. Luckily, I haven’t felt that way about writing and hope I never do. But yes, I too have cried in the shower. I feel ya, sister. Be patient with those chickens!
I hear you! AMEN to all of what you said and I love the idea about chocolate. I don’t usually eat chocolate, but when I think I can’t take any more — sleep and chocolate seem to help – not usually in that order —– I feel as if I have reached a dead end in some things in my life lately and that saddens me but I have to remember that God is in control and press on. Going backwards or stopping is not an option.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Thanks for this encouraging post, Diane. You are so right, and I needed to hear this today. We are in what seems like a “go nowhere, ever” situation right now, and it would be so easy to say, “Oh forget it.” But I know God can turn things around, so I choose to hope in spite of how I feel.
Lovely advice, darling!
xoxox,
CC
Sheesh, it’s so real, though, that desire to just ball up and give into to life and its problems. But it’s finding the will to keep on, because things always get better. I like your chicken story. It’s a great way to put things in perspective.
I think it’s easy to want to give up. We’re apart of a culture that easily throws in the towel when things aren’t working out. But we often miss out on so much if we just persevere!
Wonderful advice. And just what I needed to hear. Thank you so much.