I’m having a cranky day when I’m wondering why I bother to:
- Write what few people read
- Clean when it gets messed up again
- Buy things that are broken right away
- Be kind when I don’t get kindness in return
- Teach my kids when the lessons seem quickly forgotten
- Work toward my goals when almost no one cares what I do
I’m sick and tired, thus I am vulnerable. At these times, I hear the voice of my enemy saying, “Why bother?” He knows well how I depend on encouragement from others. When it isn’t there, he knows how to turn my funk into a fiasco. When he is done talking, I want to go back to bed and forsake writing, homemaking, kindness, parenting, and working forever.
But the same question that I asked myself I have to ask my enemy. Why bother? If I were an insignificant woman, why would you spend your time and energy trying to talk me into giving up? Jesus breaks into the discussion.
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” – Matthew 4:10
We bother because we are serving the Lord. He reads every word we write and He sees us cleaning, returning kindness for evil, teaching the resistant learner, and achieving His purposes for us. He likes it all.
So why do we bother listening to any voice but His?
So thankful you bother. Thanks for this great reminder. When we remember who we serve it’s easier to know why we bother!
I'm thankful you bothered to comment, too! I blogged my way out of a funk. 🙂 It's great to realize that God would "like" all of our posts written for His glory, isn't it?
Melanie Wilson
Yes, Melanie He is worth our bother. He is worth our everything! What a great question! Blessings to you today girl!
In my life, I’ve seen how discouragement is one of the primary tools of the enemy. I’ve just gotten to the point where I regularly pray for encouragement, because I know I’ll need it so much. It may come in the form of nice words from friends or maybe it’s just God reminding me that his grace is enough. But it gives me the courage to carry on.
Amy, thank you. Your comment is a real encouragement to me. I am looking forward to more of your excellent posts. I’m going to have an extraordinary day. 😉
Loren, you made me realize that I have been thinking that I shouldn’t desire encouragement, as though I should be above that. I am now going to pray for encouragement when I need it and before! You’ve certainly been an answer to prayer. Thank you.
Wow this hit me between the eyeballs – “I depend on encouragement from others”. Can I just say ditto?
Shannon, I hope to be one of your encouragers then. 🙂 That's what I love about Christian bloggers networking. We can be that encouragement for one another. Thanks so much for stopping by!