When You Feel Like Quitting: Sowing Seeds of Discipline

Can you think back on the time you were a kid and you wanted something so bad that you were wiling to do anything for it? So your mom or your dad told you to maybe wait until they had enough money for it, or you had to give something up, or maybe you had to give in to doing something in exchange for that thing you wanted so bad.

So you give in to what your parents said you had to do and along the way you kick and scream that it's not fair that you have to wait while the other kids got it on the spot. You pout and slam every door you come across hoping that your parents can hear you and feel your pain.

It's funny how as we get older that feeling never goes away. You've been promised something and you've prayed, fasted, attending all the services and seminars but you're just tired of always ending up being disappointed. Or you're probably going through a silent battle and you just don't have the strength in you to keep going to the end and pass this test you're facing. Well I am here to tell you love, you can keep kicking and screaming, you can keep slamming every door you come across, you can give all the attitude you want, but that won't make the test end quicker or that thing you so desperately want to come faster. You're asking, "well girl, what do I do then?" You keep going. Don't give up. Even when it seems like the only solution.

I want to bring you a few things on discipline and I'm hope this encourages you to press on in faith and that it open your eyes on why what you're going through is needed and why now is not the time to give up.

Hardship proves that we are His children

~ Hebrews 12:7-12

Don't think of hardship as a form of punishment but as a form of discipline. Discipline is the practice of training someone to obey rules that results in a self controlled behavior (a spiritual fruit). God loves us too much to remain the way we are (Proverbs 13:24). It's through the hardships and trials of life that He uses discipline to teach and mold us to be more like Him.

He's teaching you to be faithful with little before He can entrust you with much. He's teaching you to rely more on Him than running to friends who later disappoint you later in the long run. He's teaching you to be humble and meek rather than being "petty Ms. Betty" or clap back (you know that aint the Spirit of the Lord) when you're being persecuted and ridiculed by others. He's teaching/strengthening you to keep working and showing up when you've been put under the bus and find no one supporting you. He's teaching you silent strength when you're waiting on a move of God and you feel that you're being passed up or forgotten. He's teaching you to place your trust and worth in Him when you're being stripped away from everything that matters to you.

So when you're being tested, don't reject the test, but respond with submission (v.9). Just like a child that submits to their father or mother, you submit to the Father knowing that not only is He in control but He knows more than your mind and character can handle. Submit with honor and respect but also rejoice; for this test proves that you are His child and because you are His child, He is bringing you through a process so that when it all comes to the end, you will share in His glory.

A harvest reveals what seed has been planted and what was sowed

A harvest is the product or result of an action. Like you bear fruit when you plant seeds and they grow over a period of time, you bear fruit while undergoing trials. Will you continue to put in the work when you still don't see harvest? Will you put your emotions aside and continue to show up when it looks as if all your hard work has no value? At times it doesn't feel like we're sowing because we can become so focused receiving when the Lord wants us to focus on the work He's doing within us. At times it doesn't feel good but He's doing a work in us so that the result of what was sown can have worth and value. There's value to this thing but in order to see the value of your harvest, you have to keep sowing those seeds of discipline.

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." ~ Psalms 27:13

Even through our valley seasons, you can rest knowing that God will see you through. When you are feeling attacked and pressed on all different sides, know that you're not just coming out, but you are coming out stronger. Where you are is not the end, it's the transition to a new beginning. Continue to endure the tests of discipline and walk by faith that you will soon see the faithfulness of God and that everything you're going through is being used for your good (Romans 8:28). Trust in the Lord who is constant and not in your changing circumstances. Your circumstances don't define the faithfulness of God. He is good all the time but you must allow the discipline to shape you into who He's called you to be and prepare you for what you'll soon be revealed to.

You are more than a conqueror. You are a fighter, not a quitter. Children of God aren't called to quit; they're called to persevere and to victory. No matter how long it takes, He will prove His word. Do not let the physical matters of your circumstances dictate what God promised and who He is. If He gave you a promise, know that He is able to bring it to pass and He will.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." ~Galatians 6:9

When you give up, you're not only giving up on yourself but you are giving up on those who are connected to you and your obedience to endure. Your harvest are those who will come to Christ because of your obedience. There are people who will one day experience what you're experiencing right now and will need to hear your testimony. There are people who are in need of what God wants to bring up out of you, they are in need of Him.

Whatever you're waiting on, you are not waiting in vain. Whatever it is you're working for, you are not working in vain. Whatever it is you're praying to God for help with, you are not praying in vain. Continue to trust God, even if it's hard and doesn't make sense; for your trusting in Him will not go in vain. His word says blessed are those who put their trust in Him, for those who trust in Him will never be put to shame (Jeremiah 17:7). When it gets harder and the pressure seems to rise, when it seems to be taking longer than you expected, remember that He has not forsaken you, He is strengthening and molding you. Don't give up too soon, have faith that you've already won and that your harvest is waiting for you.

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Heavenly Father,

I thank You Lord for my dear sister who is reading this. I thank You that she hasn't given up even when she felt like it. Lord I pray that doubt is canceled in her mind and it no longer has its way with her. I pray Lord that she doesn't allow what she sees cause her to believe that You've forgotten her or the promises You've made to her. I pray that You give her super natural strength to continue and endure the season and trial that you have her in. May You give her increased faith and joy that it'd be an overflowing double portion. I pray that You give her patience as she waits on You to bring Your promises to pass and that she's able to rejoice in the midst of her waiting season. I pray that You help her to trust in You every day that goes by and she surrenders all control over to You because You know best and the right time to deliver it. I pray that You help her to die to her flesh and to submit to You and Your discipline knowing that it is for her good. Help her to see that what You're teaching her is far greater than earthly riches and gain. May You touch her heart letting her know that You are on her side and that she is not alone. I pray that You place people in her life that will encourage her to keep sowing when she gets weary in doing good. I pray that she sees that her sowing to do good will work in her favor and result in a beautiful harvest. In Jesus' name, Amen.