Back to Square One

Do you ever feel like you had victory over a problem or issue in your life, and then it comes right back to slap you in the face? That is how I feel today. I thought we had Morgans headaches under control and would be skipping down victory lane this week, but instead our skipping came to an abrupt halt yesterday.

The headache returned, and was apparently not happy that we had medicated and prayed it away just four days earlier. Today, it is even worse, and Morgan has sent me several text messages from school sharing with me how miserable she is and how much her head hurts. Since she missed seven days of school recently due to this problem, she had to go to school or suffer serious consequences, so all I can do is hang my head in defeat and confusion.

We are taking some new steps this week to treat the headache and I was able to get an earlier appointment with our neurologist, so hopefully we can try to find our way back to victory lane again. But for now, we are wandering in the desert trying to figure out which way to turn.

Do you ever feel like that about something in your life? You thought you had overcome the problem, but then it quickly rears its ugly head again, and with even more strength than before?

Sometimes I feel like that. One example is thinking that we got rid of the headache, but actually, it just hid itself away for a few days.

Another example, is how I successfully fight off the urge to eat a calorie-intense lunch and instead eat a healthy salad, and feel all good about myself and my willpower…. until the kids get home from school, and I find it physically and emotionally impossible not to eat the warm chocolate chip cookies that I baked for them. (note to self, stop trying to be June Cleaver and never make cookies again). So the next day, I suck it up and start the diet back at square one.

Sometimes this seems to be the case in relationships. With one certain person in my life, each time I feel like we have climbed a little farther up the mountain and are close to getting back to a trusting relationship again, something seems to happen to knock my feet out from under me and send my emotions plummeting back to the valley, feeling hurt and disappointed. So the next day, I pick myself up and try to start back at square one.

There are so many things in life that seem like victory is an impossible achievement, like relationships, diets, and medical mysteries, and sometimes even matters of faith.

Have you ever committed to spend time with God each day or do a morning devotion, but it never fails that something draws your attention away and before you know it the whole day has passed?

Have you ever done great on a diet all week, then blew it out of the water over the weekend?

Have you ever promised to not gossip anymore, then before you knew it, you found yourself talking about some juicy news with a friend?

Have you ever vowed to not lose your temper with your family or co-workers, but then at the onset of a stressful situation, you lose it completely?

Have you ever forgiven someone for something, but then find yourself pulling up that old list of wrongs against you the very next time you see them?

Do you believe Gods Word is truth, but then doubt His sovereignty when you cant see the good in a really bad situation, or even find yourself wondering if He really cares about you at all?

Victory over hard things is, well, hard. Sometimes it may even seem completely out of reach, and then we find ourselves drowning in a pool of frustration and defeat. It is exactly those times, when we have no other choice but to lay the burden at Gods feet. Give it to Him fully. And most importantly, understand that God knows we failed, but forgives us and loves us anyway.

Perseverance is a virtue, and is necessary, regardless of the situation we are faced with, but there are times when perseverance just seems way too hard. It would always be easier to just quit and give up. But God calls us to remain faithful to the end and to hold onto Christ for our strength. We are called to battle sin and walk in faith, even when it is hard and frustrating.

Being able to persevere, even when the going gets tough, is a sign that we are leaning on God, depending on His strength, and trusting Him to help us achieve the victory that we so desire, in whatever area of our life that we are working on.

Being able to push forward despite all odds, shows that God is working in our life and in our hearts. Perseverance proves that we are allowing Him the opportunity to work through us even when we want to throw in the towel and cant seem to take another step in our own strength.

The goal is not to just to get to the finish line, but to get there by resting in the mercy and grace that Christ promises. What an amazing feeling to know that we do not have to do it on our own, because the truth is, we cant do it on our own anyway.

Fortunately, God has designed our salvation in such a way that we are enabled to persevere, not by determined will power or our own strength and abilities, but by drawing near to Him.

If you are facing something in your life in which victory seems to be unattainable, spend some time in prayer asking God for perseverance, to not only stay the course during the trial, but to depend on Him in the midst of the journey. The enemy wants you to believe that you are defeated and that there is no hope, but in Christ, we find encouragement, inspiration, and strength.

His power becomes our willpower to keep going, even when we keep finding ourselves at square one.

10 Comments

  1. mommyof2sons on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    I am so sorry to hear that her headache is back. I hope she can get some answers from the Dr. And that she gets to go soon. I can’t imagine having such a bad headache like that. I feel bad for her too.

    Your post was wonderful!! I really needed that today.

    Prayers!



  2. Angie on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    I know where you stand about feeling knocked down and just wanting to quit. Having things start to make a turn for the good only to have Satan jerk that rug out from under our feet again.
    Perseverance is something I am learning because I can’t go back. Back to a time when I didn’t see the problems I am faced with today. Back to not feeling anything. Back to a time of living under Satan’s dark cloud.
    I am learning to rely on God for everything now. I have to because I can’t do this alone.
    “Daily Dependance on God” is what I heard at Lysa’s conference Saturday. Pray for my daily portion of the day and know that He isn’t going to give me more than I can handle. Is it always going to be easy? Of course not, and some days it is stinking hard. But during these times I have depended on God to carry me through these situation. It is giving me more experiences with God. The more experiences I have, the more I am growing.
    Do I stand on the mountian top now? No, I still think I am in the valley. But now I have confidence that He will bring me out of this valley.
    Psalm 73:26
    “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

    I will continue to pray for Morgan.



  3. Tracie Miles on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Angie – your comments are so powerful. Thank you for sharing. You are in my prayers.



  4. Anonymous on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Tracie, I am sure you have already tried everything and I feel foolish even mentioning this, but for some reason I am compelled to ask you if your daughter drinks enough water? Sometimes a person can be dehydrated without knowing it and it will bring on migraines. Please forgive me if my simple suggestion has offended you. I have just prayed for your daughter that healing comes quickly.
    G



  5. Jakes Mom on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.



  6. Jakes Mom on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    Oh gosh, this has truly spoken to me. Wow, thank you Tracie. I too am battling headaches due to another health issue so I empathize with your daughter. Praying she will be healed and will not experience anymore of them. Thank you for posting this. God’s Blessings to you!



  7. Joyful on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 1:03 am

    Thank you for this encouragement Tracie. We feel like we’re beating our heads against a rock in dealing with my Dad’s situation right now. It’s so frustrating. We take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. Making no progress at all. No further ahead than we were 10 weeks ago. Each phone call and meeting just drains us of all strength and nothing is accomplished.

    “…there are times when perseverance just seems way too hard. It would always be easier to just quit and give up.”

    That might be the easiest route, but it’s not the best response. Relinquishing it all into God’s hands again and trusting His heart when we can’t see or understand His plan.

    Praying for Morgan. May the Lord touch her and give her relief and sweet rest.

    Blessings,
    Joy



  8. mary on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    I have had migraines for years. Ask your doctor about rebound headaches. They happen when you take one type(aspirin,Advil etc)of med for a period of time then stop. Hence rebound. The body gets use to which ever type of med you take, then when it is not there it causes a headache. Another thing is going on prevention type of med (mine was nortripoline, not sure of spelling). You take it everyday for a period of time. I was on it for two years. It was a wonder drug for me. I stop having headaches for years. Then when the headaches became a problem again I started the med. I was on it for less time the second time. This is how it has been for me for many years. On & off again of this med. I now have my headaches under control. I have also learned what are my triggers. Then I avoid then. May God’s healing hand be on Morgan, today & always! Peace & Blessings



  9. Tracie Miles on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for all of your comments. No suggestion is silly! We have thought about her not drinking enough water, and that is something I am trying to get her to do better – cheerwine just doesnt do it! I will also ask the neurologist about nitropoline too tomorrow. Thanks friends!



  10. Becky on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you so much for this, Tracie. I felt God prompting me to get to your blog this morning and now I know why. This was perfect timing.

    I’m adding Morgan and her headaches to my prayer list. It is so hard to watch our kids suffer. I hope you find answers and relief soon.



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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