In the well-known movie Galaxy Quest by Paramount Pictures, we frequently hear the spaceship Captain’s motto, “never give up, never surrender!”. And this is what I want to encourage you to do today. But first I want to tell you a story.

The woman sat on a low wall of grey, cold, cement cinder blocks. Snow fell gently around her as she stared into the dark, icy water splashing up onto the beach. The water she was contemplating walking into, fully clothed in boots and winter coat and not coming back out. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed.

Her feelings had lied to her. Her judgment had let her down. Her intuition had failed her, and her pride had been crushed. The one dream she had secretly longed for all her life, which she had thought was within reach, was shattered! Faced with the reality of the complete and utter failure of all she had lived for, trusted in, and desired most in the depths of her heart, she sat staring at that cold, ice-crusted water, thinking it would end the pain and struggle.

As she hesitated, there whispered in her soul the still, small, quiet Voice which reminded her there was always hope with God. She couldn’t see it, didn’t know if she had enough left to try but remembered how He had been faithful in the past, so she decided to take a chance. Slowly getting up off that cement seat, she looked again at that cold, dark, wet bed luring her, and instead of walking toward it, she forced herself to turn away and stumble home.

It wasn’t easy. Sharing her struggle with a couple of close trusted friends, she sought out Biblical counseling, and with their help and prayers, searched the Word for promises and truths she could find the strength to go on in.

“I know the plans I have for you,'” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

And she prayed! And prayed, and prayed and cried out and wept before her Lord. She held on, with fingernails dug in, to the Rock, the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ! The months ahead were brutally hard, even physically painful, but step by step, moment by moment, He lifted her out of that slimy pit she had skirted around and fallen into. One day she made the choice that even if she never felt “happy” again, she would obey and follow Him. She tossed out that heart idol she had unknowingly been putting her hope in and placed it all in the sure, strong, and trustworthy hands of her Redeemer, the true Lover of her soul! And she has never regretted it!

“Both light and darkness are alike to the One who dwells in them.”

Mrs. Charles Cowman, Streams in the Desert, volume two

It sounds strange and counter-cultural, but there is freedom in obedience, obedience to God. You see, there is always hope, and there is always a fresh start with Christ, and He promises to help us and be with us in it. His Word will guide, encourage and teach us how to live in that freedom if we let it.

I know life is hard, dear hearts. It feels like a relentless battle at times, but we don’t have to fight alone! The Lord has promised His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and help us to fight! He has promised us joy by His presence in the middle of our struggles. We also are surrounded by other believers who can pray for us, encourage us and keep us on track.

Life is challenging. But there is also much joy available to us by the grace of God. He loves you, dear one! If you believe in nothing else in life, believe in that!! He sent His only Son to die on a cross for you so He could be in a relationship with you! How loved we are!

If you are going through a dark time and need someone to talk to or pray for you, please message me. If not me, then find someone you can trust to talk to and pray with you. Get help! Don’t believe the lies that you don’t matter, that you are beyond help, that you are worthless, that there is no hope for you! These are lies straight from hell because you are seen! You are heard! You are loved! You are cherished by the One who made you! Read the Word and know you are not alone!

Never give up! Never surrender!

Be well!

Patricia