Monday, December 3, 2007

If You Quit, Satan Wins

What a wonderful time I had with the ladies (and few men!) in Kosciusko last Saturday at the First Baptist Church's ladies brunch. The crowd was so encouraging and uplifting. I hope I was able to leave them with some of the same.

One of the many things I shared with the group is how important it is to persevere at things you feel God has led you to do. It is so easy to give up, especially when times get difficult. Some of you know how torn I was at coming back to work after having Will. Not only was I dealing with the adjustment of another baby, but I was sleep deprived and having some post-pardum issues and couldn't stop crying. When I came back to work after 3 months, the viewer emails and phone calls were hateful--everyone wanted to know when was I going to lose my baby weight? I called my mother and told her I thought I was having a nervous breakdown and couldn't take it anymore. The only option I could see was giving up my meteorology career and staying at home, thinking that would fix my problem. My mother reminded me how I felt called to do what I was doing and ended the conversation by saying, "If you quit, if you give up, Satan wins."

I Corinthians 15:58 says, "I am standing firm, letting nothing move me. I give myself fully to the work of the Lord, because I know that my labor in the Lord is not in vain." In the hard times when your world has fallen to pieces, we must learn how to pick up the one piece that matters most. However, there's no other place to know the strength of your faith, but in the hard times.

2 comments:

BarbC said...

Barbie -- Thank you sooo much for sharing this today. Your timing couldn't be more perfect! I am working through a decision and was sure I knew exactly what God wanted and then a well-meaning friend offered a bit of advice and it totally through me for a loop! I started second guessing and doubting every thing I know is from God. I was ready to toss in the towel and say Forget it. But if I quit... satan wins. And I am NOT going to let him even think he has a chance at winning! Barb C

Susan Rhymes Harvey said...

Keep on doing what you are doing. You and God will find the balance in your life. And to all those folks who make the fat comments - "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" - personally I think you look beautiful.