Keep On Keeping On
Don't Give Up! Keep On Keeping On!
During our first lockdown in Northern Ireland, in the summer of 2020, I sat in our garden one morning with my coffee and my Bible. I had been feeling discouraged, after months of a lack of contact with family and church friends. The daily death count and barrage of bad news was starting to take its toll.
A small, sudden scuffle of movement caught my attention, bringing me out of my self-centred reverie, and I noticed a tiny field mouse starting to climb the tree next to where I was sitting. This tree is in a heavily wooded area of shrubs, and we have a bird feeder hanging in a high branch of a hedge.
I was astounded by the tenacity of this little creature. After the long climb up the trunk, the equivalent of a mountain to you or me, he arrived at a small notch, level with the branch the bird feeder is on. Then, he had to launch himself from the trunk, across the expanse to land on the perch of the feeder. He misjudged the distance and missed the perch more times than he landed on it, falling all the way back down to the ground.
Then he’d have to start the climb all over again. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you he did this thirty-one times until finally, he made it! I cheered when he did, and took a view photos with my zoom lens, while he Enjoyed his reward of a good long breakfast.
Through the determination and tenacity of this little mouse, the Lord encouraged me. How often we so easily just give up, when we’ve attempted something over and over again, telling ourselves we have failed. We believe we fall short. We become discouraged or get hurt, so we withdraw. We are offended, and we hold back. We just stop trying.
6 Verses to Encourage You to Keep on Keeping On
If you feel any of the above today, may I encourage you with some scripture? Underline these in your Bible, read them over & over until they take root and your heart is encouraged and strengthened.
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
“For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again. ” (Proverbs 24:16)
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Jill is an author, faith blogger, and artisan jewelry designer who shares her creativity and passion for life at Mustard Seed Living. You can also find Jill on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to check out her links to her beautiful jewelry on Esty, as well.
