Positivity is one of my core
values, but there are times when I’ve felt like quitting, crawling back in bed,
and being left alone. It can be challenging to press forward in the midst of life
happening and all the more, when unexpected challenges come through. But I’ve
realized it’s by God’s strength that I’m able to function through heartbreaks,
disappointments, and challenges. Below, I’m sharing three tips that have served
me well whenever I’ve felt like giving up and if you’ve ever felt like giving
up, you may find them helpful as well.
Prayer – I pray consistently and
fervently. I also combine prayer with action when required (as faith
without works is dead – see James 2:17) but I know I’m not able to do any and
all things in my own strength, which is why I pray for God to carry me in the
areas that are heavy. That’s why He’s
God. He can carry weights I’m not equipped to handle and no matter how I’m
feeling, there’s great relief that comes with prayer, and simply having
conversations with Him. Sometimes I talk, other times I cry, and there are even
times I sit in silence, knowing He already knows what I’m feeling, which allows
me to rest and let Him do his job.
Perseverance – Perseverance is another
one of my core values but truthfully, I don’t enjoy it. The pressing through
trials, dealing with opposition, setbacks, and channeling my warrior spirit are
things that take a lot of energy, but when I feel like quitting, I try my best to press through it no matter what. When I was
in undergrad I had a difficult time adjusting to the new school I transferred
to. I was struggling financially, having a hard time keeping up, and when juggling multiple jobs, paying bills, and the workload and academics seemed too hard, I wanted to quit.
When I felt like quitting, I reached out to my former intern boss who told me, “I’m
sure it’s challenging where you are, but when you finish you’ll be glad you
pushed yourself.” She was right. I pushed and pushed and pushed and persevered
and got through it. Perseverance is a great tool for anyone to have in their
arsenal, and having people in your life that’ll encourage you to keep moving forward
helps, too.
Reflection- I’m a writer and journal often. Journaling is incredible, because if you’re consistent
with it, you can go back and reflect on how you got through other challenging situations
in your life, and what you learned from them. Reflecting to see how
far you’ve come can be great momentum to keep moving forward.
Remember -- prayer, perseverance,
and reflection. Use them well.