Hi, it’s a good moment to greet you with a “Welcome to May 2024, the best of months!” Right, I am a little biased at this moment, but since May is my birth month, it just has to be the best of months. It is so good that we are all witnessing this day, and we have God to thank for that.
I know it’s been a while, but I sincerely hope you will receive me with a big pardon after being off this space for some time. I am more than glad to be back here, and much more happy that I’m meeting you in great spirits. Again, thank you for clicking the link to this post, it means a lot to me.
Of course, I’m not done checking on you! How have you been coping with the news and periodic harsh realities that have been coming up in the past days and weeks? Trust me, I tried not to use the word ‘harsh’, but I also realize that is how stressful it has been for some people. I hope these events are not taking a toll on you and your health. Relax, just breathe, you are going to survive this season.
Have you seen the title of today’s post? Don’t mind me, I just said to play around a little. I know you read it more than once and even tried to paint a picture of what the title is about before you clicked on the post. Well, whatever idea you were able to come up with is absolutely relevant, and I’m sure that you will be able to relate to what you will be reading in the next paragraphs.
It is often said that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. I’m sure you have heard that before, right? But have you ever wondered what this saying drives at? Have you found yourself in a situation that seems difficult or unpleasant, or in the face of pressures that seem to be weighing you down? Is there a cause for which you gave your best, and yet, all your plans fell through or you were met with a disappointment?
Oh, there are more pictures to paint! Perhaps your friends are making headway, and it just gets you thinking about why yours is different or where you have been getting it wrong. Yes, you are never one to be bitter about anyone’s success, but you also just wish to have a breakthrough that will send congratulatory messages your way. Are you anxious about tomorrow and what it holds for you?
If any of these sounds or looks like the state you are in currently, well, that is a view of “Tough Going”, and here’s a news flash, it is not your permanent space because you are stepping out of that zone sooner than you expect. I didn’t say that to make you feel better, you heard them because that is exactly what will happen. You are stepping out!
There is this other lens to “Tough Going” that I will have you take a look at. Here is the kind of person that I want you to be despite the many happenings and circumstances that surround you currently. I want you to wear that garment of determination to never lose hope or leave things to chance, the garment that recognizes and attracts a change of situation for the better. I want you to be the “Tough”, better still, the “Strong” person that keeps going, standing with their toes firmly on the ground without their knees buckling to fear or sorrow.
I can understand how you feel about trying hard at something and not seeing the desired result, or expecting good news and the opposite comes revealing its face. It must have been a tough space to be in, trying to connect the dots and picture where you missed it. I would like to point out a few reasons you went through that experience, and I hope it lightens your spirit and gives you a ray of hope.
You are taking a “Stop” or “Pause” when God wills that you keep moving! There are so many instances we are guilty of this, we are often so quick to settle for the “good” when there is yet a “best” ahead. More so, whenever He says to still be on the go, it is important that we trust His voice.
As the intentional nature of your Father who is never tired of looking out for us, He does save us from glitters that are not gold. We often want results in a fast mode that we get carried away or lose sight of every “red flag” or “Caution sign” beeping in our cause. Your Father will stop at nothing to ensure your safety, which can sometimes include interrupting your plans. The effect might be hard on you, but if it is any consolation, it is for your good.
Here is another thing to point out; your Father is taking you through a journey of faith where you recognize Him as your only way out and you are not quick to give in to compromise stemming from other available options. In all of these, one thing surely stands out, and all His interventions scream “Love”. Talk of a Father who is so protective of you!
Do you know that there are times we believe we have done all that is within our capacity or given our best to a cause, whereas our efforts or inputs are not enough to push out the perfect result we would love to see? This is to tell you that you cannot give in or stop at the average performance. The abilities deposited on your inside are not just to launch you halfway, it is to get you running the race till the end! Take this as your key statement, there is always room for improvement.
I believe you’ve had some eye-opening moments within the last few minutes of reading the paragraphs above. Did any of the points stand out to you like “Oh, now I get it!” or “Yes, I can relate to this!”? I am happy to know that some things are coming as paths of light to you. Now, in a bid to make progress, how do you respond to the revelations you’ve had?
Here’s the first on my list; Trust the process God is taking you through. Doubts will arise in your heart about all the beautiful promises from Him that are penned down in your journal and you have made declarations about over time. Do not allow the conflicting thoughts to weigh you down. Trust the One who says it enough to know that He is a doer and He sees to all about you from start to finish.
Always keep this in mind; God is good, and ALL He does is good at ALL times! Did you notice the ALL in capital letters? Yes, I had to make that much emphasis because it is the truth. I know you might have the “Well, I have heard that line before” thought, but for real, that is who your God is. I say to you again, do not doubt His goodness to you.
Have you learnt the culture of responding to situations with thanksgiving yet? Really, you missed out on that? It’s fine, that’s the reason I am sending you this note. Being grateful is not just applicable to the miracles you have received, it is also important to respond with gratitude when you are yet to get what you would like to have or things do not go your way.
Hmmmm, I know it is not easy to do, but have the belief that it is possible, and you can make that your lifestyle. Learning to give thanks brings an air of positivity and hope into your environment, and it helps you to keep seeing possibilities. I want you to do something from now on, draw the heart and art of gratitude into your space.
There’s more to add, and the next thing I will tell you is to commit yourself to rejoicing with people wholeheartedly. Trust me, you will keep getting to hear about good news and groundbreaking exploits from other people. I am certain you do not expect otherwise, after all, it is always included in your prayers that your friends, acquaintances, and different networks make remarkable progress in all their endeavours. I believe the above is a statement of fact and not an assumption.
In that case, there is no reason for you to be weighed down when they come to you bearing glad tidings, or you get a notification on your phone that tells you that they have scored a goal or achieved something good. Respond with all joy in your heart, and give no room to bitterness. It will take you nowhere! Be happy for people without reservations, and be certain that your turn is just around the corner.
As you wait in eager expectations, don’t sit around being idle. There is yet work to be done in being ready for what you are waiting for. Therefore, spend time being better, being productive, and working on yourself. Launch yourself into activities that will bring out a better version of you. Let your goal meet a refined version of you that is even more deserving of what you seek. A time spent improving oneself is never wasted!
Sometimes, disappointments come with a large dose of discouragement and the desire to give up, compromise values, or stoop to a lesser performance. Please, do not give in to any of these. It might have been hard or even cost you a lot of time, energy, resources, and willpower to go through the process once, and the thought of having another failed attempt might be tugging at you.
I’ll say this to you with a pat on the back; do not fall short or be tired of doing your best. Your values are worth everything and they are still going to open doors for you, so please, do not give them up, Dear One. Draw in strength from your Source, and be motivated to keep giving your best.
The thoughts might be as bad as doubting your greatness and that of the Divine nature in you. It might even get you thinking you are lesser than what you have been called. Hey, don’t give that voice of doubt any attention! You are just as good as you think you are, and even more, because you exist and function from the greatness of the One who made you, and that has become your identity. Very soon, it will not just be words, it is going to reflect in your results. Keep your shoulders high, and keep hope alive.
We are almost drawing the curtain for the post, but permit me to remind you not to hold back in doing good and lending a helping hand. Being good and doing good is a virtue, and will never be overpowered by a vice or evil. You will reap the dividends of goodness eventually, just keep at it.
Maintain the sanity and sanctity of your space by bringing and retaining the voice of positivity around you, not those that will drown you in the problem. Words will come flying at you, but let the one that sinks in be that which affirms your convictions and expectations. The best of such voices is that of the Holy Spirit. Give Him your full audience, and you will not regret it.
Dear One, you are stepping out stronger! You might have heard this over and over, and right now, it just sounds like a mere statement to you, but it is your reality. You will not drown in the challenges you are being faced with. You have the strength and wisdom required to run the course to the point of accomplishment. It is well with you!
Wow, I believe it has been quite a long read! I didn’t plan to have this long post, but I am happy you stayed till the end. Also, please consider it my way of apologizing for being away for a long while, and I hope I have been forgiven. I am sincerely grateful for the support and commitment you have shown consistently to this page. I am assured it is not going to stop, and I am grateful for that.
Now, I can put a cap on my pen! I hope to receive your comments on this post and the things that stood out for you. Keep believing, and keep winning! I’ll reach out to you again soon, always remember that you are loved by God and me!
