Articles
Don’t Stop Believing
This certainly has been a strange year of uncertainty and hardship for many. Yet there are also stories of success, accomplishment, change for the better, and growth. It is so easy to be consumed by all the negative junk put before us in all the many forms of media today. We are inundated with all that is dark. All that is bad wants us to stop believing. But don’t let that happen. Don't stop believing!
Don’t stop believing there is good in others, especially our brethren. Once we give into the dark stuff about people, we hold little hope of ever seeing the opportunity to encourage others. I may not be able to change all that is put before me, but I can change me. I can also seek to help someone else. I get to choose what I want to think. Believing in others puts a smile on your face. It tells others you are moving forward. Believing in others means I believe they can grow and achieve things personally and spiritually. Believing in others means I refuse to give into being critical of others so that all I see is their dark side. Don’t stop believing in people. I don’t want others to stop believing in me.
Also, don’t stop believing in opportunities. I am a big believer in time and opportunity. I have seen it too many times in my life. For example, maybe there is someone I need to talk to about an issue. I can manufacture the opportunity, or I can look for time and opportunity when they will more likely listen. Also, I have seen time and opportunity occur to encourage others. It is always easy to encourage someone...unless they aren't in a place to be encouraged. Sometimes people just want to be left alone. To force my encouragement on them is more harmful than waiting until they open a door. The Bible is filled with time and opportunity examples. Joseph is a great example of time and opportunity. It seemed like opportunity would never come, but God did provide. Paul is another example of time and opportunity. He could have said no on the Damascus road; instead he said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Not everything must be hammered immediately. Sometimes it is best to believe in time and opportunity. Don’t stop believing in time and opportunity.
Further, don’t stop believing in your children. No matter how far they have drifted or how many struggles they have, don’t stop believing in them. They may struggle with their faith. They may struggle with addiction. They may struggle with sin in its various forms. They may struggle with pessimism. They may struggle with disappointment. But don’t stop believing in them. Listen, God did not stop believing in us when we were His enemies. Who will believe in our children if we give up on them? Who would have provided the opportunity for grace and salvation if God had given up on us? No matter how far or how gross they may have become in their lives, don’t stop believing they can or will come back home to God. The prodigal came home and, when he did, his father had been looking for him a long way off. His father never stopped believing in him.
As I said, there have been many strange things about this year, but we should not be surprised. After all, the prince of the power of the air is still actively working. However, he can never stop me from believing unless I choose to. I choose to believe! Will you choose to believe with me? I believe you will! I believe in you!
Rickie Jenkins
