DO WHAT YOU CAN

After a storm in our lives, we hope life will go back to normal. Do you remember we always think in our hearts, "When things get back to normal, I'll start exercising. Then I will work out every day, eat right and be the healthiest person around." Suddenly we realised that we'd been thinking these thoughts but nothing had ever changed. Our unrealistic expectations were keeping us from making any progress.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." But it does not say, "I have to do it all right now." We need to take one step at a time and give ourselves a pat on the back for every bit of progress. If I had time for five minutes of walking, that's great. If I had time for ten sit-ups, that's what I'd do. If I remember to take the stairs instead of the lift, that's fine. It's okay just to do what we can each day.

This is especially true when we are in a storm and just trying to survive. If all I have the energy for is whispering a one-sentence prayer to God, then go for it. If it takes everything within me just to have a coffee-break with God, then that's success. If I make it through an hour without feeling grumpy or down, then celebrate. Our hearts can only handle so much at a time, but if we continue to partner with God to do what we can each day, we'll discover those little gains add up to a big difference in our lives. Extracted from RAIN ON ME BY Holley Gerth