Don’t Give Up!! – Word of Encouragement from Pastor Gary

All of us have been there at one time or another. Life, and sometimes ministry, seems to be crashing down all around us. It appears that we are getting hit by one thing after another. God wants to remind you to KEEP GOING! Never stop. If you stop now, then wouldn’t it be like the Israelites stopping in the middle of the wilderness and never reaching the Promised Land?

For a moment, let me share with you a humorous anecdote that may illustrate how we sometimes feel when everything seems to be fighting against us. Do you recall the story of the construction worker who was injured on the job? Here is his insurance claim report.

“I am writing in response to your request for additional information, for block number 3 of the accident reporting form. I put ‘poor planning’ as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following detail will be sufficient. I am a construction worker and on the day of the accident, I was working alone on the top section of my new 80-foot tower. When I had completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the now unneeded tools and material down by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using the pulley attached to the gin pole at the top of the tower. Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools and material into the barrel. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow decent of the 300 pounds of tools.”

“You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh only 155 pounds. Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.”

“Devoid of the weight of the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above me, I again lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope…”

Struggles are real and all of us face them. What is important is how we face them. Let’s lift our eyes unto the hills where our help comes from. Let’s rejoice with exceeding great joy and bring a sacrifice of praise to our Heavenly Father. Let’s increase our faith and cast our cares on Him.

If you are in the middle of a situation right now and feel weary, then remind yourself that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Is 40:29) You are not alone. Yes, Alisa and I are praying for you, but you have something so much greater! You have a Savior who is EVER INTERCEDING for you!

Be Encouraged and Do Not Give Up!

-Pastor Gary

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