God Will Never Quit On Us
My daughter Wendy stood in her wedding gown before the full-length mirror. She and her bridesmaids chatted excitedly as they prepared for the very important day.
I wanted to join in. As the mother-of-the-bride, I should – should what? I panicked. I didn’t feel ready for this responsibility. Only a few months earlier, I had begun my journey out of decades of severe chronic anxiety disorder.
I tried to say something mother-of-the-bride-ish, but instead I just stood there – almost unable to move or speak. The familiar panic swooped down on me, catching me off guard. After years in and out of mental hospitals, my confidence was gone.
Taking a deep breath and forcing my feet to move as I walked across the room, I pretended to search for something in my purse.
Thankfully, my sister Teri entered the room. I mouthed “help.” My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Recognizing the situation, she discreetly coached me through everything I needed to do over the next several hours.
I felt disappointed that I wasn’t where I wanted to be emotionally, but I thanked God that I was at least better than I had been a few months earlier. A reassuring peace settled over me, knowing I’d be even stronger a few months down the road.
As I was learning to trust God’s Word – rather than live by my emotions – I felt confident that He was finally beginning His miracle. He was helping me become the stable person I had prayed to be for so many years. And now, many years later, I rejoice in His finished work!
Well – almost finished work. He still has more work to do in me.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) says,
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
God will never stop working in us to make us the person He has designed us to be. He will perfect any area of our lives that isn’t fully surrendered to Him. I firmly believe that as we place our trust in His Word and yield to His grace, we’ll see Him bring about dramatic changes in us.
Even when we don’t see changes as quickly as we would like, it’s nice to know He doesn’t quit on us.
And He never will.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- When have you experienced God’s faithfulness in areas of your life you’ve long wanted to change?
- How did that faithfulness help you keep going?
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A wonderful article Sheryl, Thank you so much, so very much helpful to me this morning ❤️
Thank you so much, Melanie.
I’m glad God used part of my story to encourage you!
I love it every time you stop by Today Can Be Different!
Sheryl, I enjoyed your article today as always. I am reminded of how God has also been faithful in my life and has carried me through many dark days and difficult situations. I am so very grateful, because I am so undeserving of his grace and mercy.
Right?! God is SO faithful ~ even when (especially when!) we don’t deserve it!(As if we could ever deserve it. 🙂 )
Thank you, Gina, for reading my devotion and leaving a heartfelt comment!
When have you experienced God’s faithfulness in areas of your life you’ve long wanted to change?
What a beautiful testimony. God’s been working on many things in my life over the decades.
He’d be further along with me if I yielded sooner and remained yielded and flexible, submitted and bendable.
Therein lies our temptation to take my the task of fixing what we think of as broken.
But it’s the brokenness He works in best!
Hallelujah!
Oh, Helen, you nailed it: He’d be further along with me if I yielded sooner and remained yielded and flexible, submitted and bendable.
Amen!! Lord, help us to yield sooner from now on!
Thank you, Helen, for this important reminder.
How did God’s faithfulness help you keep going in the rough seasons?
How can we pray for you?
Sheryl I am so thankful for your post. Most of all thankful that our God doesn’t give up on us. He has brought me so far through so many challenges in my 6u years of life. I know he is not finished with me yet.
Amen!! God is NOT finished with you–with any of us! In fact, He has SO much more He wants to do in and through us! Yay!!
Thank you for stopping by, dear Susan. I love hearing from you.
THANK you, Susan, for sharing my story on your Facebook page!
I’m so glad that our Lord is faithful to complete a good work in all of us and that none of us have arrived yet! He certainly teaches me new things about myself to grow spiritually, but in the midst He also gives us the confidence we need to move forward, as well. “being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.” Romans 4:21. “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3. “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5. “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8. Thank you for sharing how God is doing a good work in your life and being so candid about the struggles in your past, Sheryl!
Thank you, Kim! I praise God for all He continues to do!!
I, too, am very glad our Lord “is faithful to complete a good work in all of us and that none of us have arrived yet!” Hallelujah!
I appreciate your faithful encouragement, Kim.
Oh, Sheryl, I can fully understand what you went through. I won’t elaborate, but I was at that very point you were at.
Isn’t it glorious how the Lord was able to rescue both of us and brought us where we are today.
I’m sure that we are not alone in what we’ve been through in the past.
Thanks for your honest message and there is hope through the Lord. It does take a lot of work and prayers.
I’d never want to go back and relive my dark past and I’m sure you feel the same way.
God bless you and your web page.
Thank you, dear sweet Sandra, for your compassionate – and passionate – heart for God’s POWER and FAITHFULNESS.
Praise God for ALL He continues to do in both of us!!