How do we find the strength to Win the Race even when broken and tired? At times life seems to drain us of all hope. We live in a broken world filled with division and strife. Confronted by the despair of aging bodies, illness, and financial loss; despair crashes in upon us. At times life bombards us from every side with trials and difficulties. We hold onto hope, grasping it with our last ounce of faith.
confronting defeat
Not being the most computer savvy person, I run and manage this website for you. It is my deepest desire that perhaps at least one soul might wander onto these pages to find hope or to find Christ as their Savior. So, it is; this is my labor of love for Christ. Because of the financial cost, there are moments when I pause to ask God if I am to continue. Certainly the money I spend could be sent to other ministries; perhaps, it would do more good elsewhere than here at my humble site.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3
MY OWN DILEMMA
For about two weeks, I have noticed some problems when I post. After multiple phone calls to technical support with no certain repair to be found. Then it was that I got the email from Google that my website had been maliciously hacked by malware. Well since I have no one’s data but my own on this site, I take no orders or donations, and my SSL certificate was up to date; I knew no one could be at harm except me. I felt sudden despair as I purchased a rather expensive site clean up and protection contract. Tired and defeated; feeling rather broken by the evil of this world; I once more asked God “Is this the mission you have for me? or should I throw in the towels and admit defeat?”
WHAT NOW?
My site was repaired and Google will take their time to acknowledge that as they are such a big company. I certainly am not their priority.
As a result of my sense of despair, this is the poem I wrote this morning. Sometimes, we want to quit the race; not realizing the finish line is just around the next bend. Because Satan desires we fail, he begins his fiercest attack as we near a blessing.
The Strength to Win When Broken and Tired
By Effie Darlene Barba
When all the world seems broken
And terror does surround
Despair remains unspoken
For fear it’s wretched sound
There in the dark and lonely night
No hope remains in sight
The years gone by, the body worn
From trudging up that hill
Scars scream forth with pain, forlorn
Crushing desire and will
When all seems lost, no strength remains
To fight against those bitter chains
A gentle whispering sound draws near
A song of love, a lullaby
It pushes back the pain and fear
My heart doth cease to cry
He lifts my chin to see His face
So, filled with tenderness and Grace
Dear Child, I know the road is long
That you have trod these years
The struggles faced, that stole your song
And caused such bitter tears
For I have been with you each mile
And bore with you each trial
For it has been my Love you see
That held you tight each painful mile
That out of darkness, you might be
The Glorious light that shone a while
To guide a lost and dying one
To see the Beauty of my Son
I know the price, my dear; you’ve paid
A pilgrim in this land
Each stone before your feet I laid
Then helped you there to stand
So, rest dear child here in my arms
Where you are safe from harms
Tomorrow is a brand-new day
With mercies, all anew
To give you strength, your course to stay
With heaven in your view
So, turn your eyes toward Calvary
For there I won the victory
The fields are white for harvest now
So, toil with me a while
Your body pressed against the plow
Let love then be your smile
That one dear soul might come to be
Alive with Me eternally
One day soon, I’ll call you home
What wondrous glorious day
When never more your heart shall roam
And you will hear me say
Well done my Child, my faithful one
For you Your race have won
Concluding thoughts
I am not certain what God’s answer will be for me tomorrow; but, for today let me say. “He is enough” and He will supply my needs for tomorrow as well. Whatever the cost to me, I desire no other treasure than to one day hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” To which I will reply, “Without Jesus Christ, I can do nothing. He is my strength, my hope and my love for today and throughout eternity. All Glory goes to Him for the great things He has done.
[bctt tweet=”No matter how tired or broken you may feel; don’t quit now, the finish line is near.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]You cannot win the race unless you keep going when the going gets tough.[/tweetthis]
Photo used by license from https://www.shutterstock.com/pic-511882207.html
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.