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In Times of Quitting

  A Book of Short Religious Essays of Encouraging Words

  By Bobby A. Troutt

  Copyright 2013 Bobby A. Troutt

  Table of Contents

  Disappointment and Failure

  Living With the Scars of Life

  Facing It as You Come to It

  Living and Hanging on the Edge

  Being Strong in the Moments of Weakness

  The Sole of a Dove’s Foot

  You Either Walk With God or Run With the Devil

  About as Useless as a Bent Nail

  Sometimes I Feel Like Crawling Into a Hole Somewhere

  and Pulling the Ground up Over Me

  *****

  In Times of Quitting

  Disappointment and Failure

  At times, I have experienced life’s disappointments along with its failures. At the same time, I failed myself, disappointed others and let myself and them down.

  − b. a. troutt

  Life is full of disappointment and failure; we all have had our share. We have been let down in life and at the same time we have let others down. Life is full of decision making and choices. We all have the choice to choose. God already knows what road we will take. But, we don’t know it until we choose it. The Lord knows what’s down that road and all it beholds. A lot of the time, He allows us to go down that road because there are things down the road that He uses to help bring things in our lives to the surface. Those we have to face and overcome only through the Lord to be victorious over them. I have often wondered why some people have to go through so much whereas others hardly ever have to deal with life’s problems. However, the difference may be in the individual; selfishness plays a great part. Some people are more self-centered and selfish than others. So, naturally their choices will be influenced greatly by their selfish ways while others take into consideration the feelings of others as well as their own. When selfishness and self is at the center, along with the cost and risk of others, disappointment and failure are bound to appear somewhere along the way. In some cases, our selfish choices help bring many troubles, disappointments and failures to our lives. On the other hand, some people seem to always come out “smelling like a rose.” Selfishness plays a vital role in our daily lives and what the outcome will be. If we are not affected by our own selfishness, we will be affected by the selfish ways of others. Life is full of disappointments; they seem to come around no matter what we do. Sure, we may fail along the way. But, it is when we keep trying and don’t give up that we win the prize.

  We may never accomplish as much in life as others. We will all have a lifetime filled with disappointments and failures. All which we have lost can be gained back in Christ. That which we lose in disappointment and failure, Christ can give back to us in love, peace, joy and forgiveness. Some things are hard to let go of, walk away from or even give up. But, if we can endure it all until the end and hear the Lord say, “Enter in,” life’s disappointments and failures will not matter anymore.

  David was a man after God’s own heart. David, throughout his life, had plenty of ups and downs; he failed like everyone else. David committed adultery and his mistress even became with his child. David sent her husband to the front lines of the battle knowing he would be killed. However, in the end, David lost his child as well.

  Psalm 51:1

  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

  Psalm 51:2

  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

  Psalm 51:3

  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

  Psalm 51:4

  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

  Psalm 51:5

  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

  Psalm 51:6

  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

  Psalm 51:7

  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  Psalm 51:8

  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

  Psalm 51:9

  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

  Psalm 51:10

  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

  Psalm 51:11

  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

  Psalm 51:12

  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

  David was a man who knew God and life’s ups and downs. He knew disappointment and defeat along with victory and failure. He had witnessed life’s trials firsthand. David may have suffered a lot but in the end he hung in there and God brought him through. David was human and so are we. We may stand alone and bold, today, against the giants of the land but those who hold on to God and keep trying until the end will win the victory that shall last an eternity. When we are feeling defeated, disappointed or as if we have failed, we should never give up. Instead, we should hold fast unto God, His son, His spirit and His word. We need to ride it out until the victory is won, give it to God, quit trying to do it our self and let the Lord work freely in our heart and life. We have to learn from life and our mistakes. We need to conquer and divide life’s pitfalls along with the snares and traps, through Christ, the Holy Spirit and God’s word. Walk in the newness of this life in Christ. Let the Lord pull down those strongholds of life. Be all that God wants us to be which are His child and a servant to Him and others. Look today with the eyes of Christ and face the defeats, failures and disappointments. Accept them as great lessons learned. Look beyond them and use them as tools for future victories.

  When Jesus hung on the cross, He didn’t dwell on looking around at the angry crowd who was crucifying Him. Neither did he look at himself and the horrible situation he was in. What did he do?

  Luke 23:34

  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

  Jesus looked beyond it all by faith and the Godly love in His heart. He knew that He would soon be going home. He knew what the Father had in store for Him was far greater than anything He was leaving behind (eternal life). Jesus didn’t look at His situation as defeat or failure but as hope, love and peace to His people, those who would come and accept Him. If we will let Jesus open our eyes to the things around us and let Him work with us and our heart, we will see things in a different light.

  In this life, we all have disappointments and failures. Some are the result of our own selfish choices while others may be caused by someone else’s selfish act.

  John 16:33

  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

  Regardless of how big or small our mistake, we have someone to turn to and that is Christ our Lord; He forgives.

  Hebrews 13:5

  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

  Never give up. Hold fast to God and keep trying.

  Not my will Lord, but your will be done.

  *****

  In Times of Quitting

  Living With the Scars of Life

  Broken, scattered, shaken, beaten, bruised, forsa
ken, denied and rejected, life has played its toll upon me. But, I am not alone; for in Christ my Lord I have found healing, comfort and love in Him.

  − b. a. troutt