Have you ever had a feeling of unrest that you knew God was asking you to do something, but you couldn’t seem to get it done? It seems like lately, I have had a lot of that.  I know God is moving my ministry in a new direction and I’m excited about that. However, there seems to be one road block after another slowing me down and keeping me away from that which God is leading me to do.

In fact, some days I just feel as though I’m wandering through the desert. The things that I thought He wanted from me seem to be so far from my ability to accomplish. Where does one find time to get it all done when life gets in the way? Am I that inept that I can’t simply follow God’s lead in my life? If we are realistic, this happens to each of us at some time in our lives.

As believers, we need to keep pressing on even when we get tired or feel distracted. We can’t beat ourselves up when we don’t see things happening as quickly as we would like.  In Ohio at this time of year, there is little sunshine and a lot of cold, gloomy days. We have to strategically guard against the feeling of desperation and hopelessness in these winter months as a result of our physical surroundings. We need to remind ourselves that just as the leaves will surely return to the trees and the sun begin to shine again come spring, so might the desert times of our lives bring forth life and meaning in the days ahead.

In Ecclesiastes 9, the Bible says, “¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…¹¹ …The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”

I look at that verse and I realize there is nothing special about my circumstances. God gives us each a job to do and whatever it is, we should do it with all our might. Circumstances will change in our lives that will cause us to slow down and even stumble at times. That’s OK. We just need to keep going and doing what we feel called to do.

Even though He wants us to live our lives with all we’ve got, He reminds us that it’s really not about us and our abilities.  In Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV), the Bible says ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Yes, we should do all that we can but we have to remember, we don’t have to be swift, strong, wise, rich, or skilled to get through this life.We just simply need to trust our Father who is all of those things. He didn’t create us to be strong within ourselves; rather, He gave us His Spirit to encourage, guide and strengthen our walk. With His help, we should be able to walk through the winter months of our lives with a feeling of victory or at least hope even when things look bleak in our surroundings.

Is there something in your life where you have lost hope? Are you living your life as one who has forgotten that spring is on its way? Have you lost sight of God in your circumstances?  Stop and think.  Am I doing that which I feel I should be doing with all of my might? Do I trust God to be my strength and guide as I walk through these desert-like and barren times? I’m here to encourage you to refocus. Do what you’ve been called to do with all your heart and soul, despite what your surroundings might appear like today. Then trust God to do the rest.

As sure as spring is just around the corner,

God is just a prayer away.

Trust Him!