Wanting to Quit

The messages "Stand Firm in The Gap" and "Never Lose Hope" were quite convicting. So much so that I felt the need to send out a type of confession/recommitment message.

In the messages we saw our call to stand in the gap for those who have breaks in their spiritual walls and are in need of prayer, encouragement, and time. We do this by first strengthening our own walls and then being focused on the needs of others. The messages encouraged us to minister with our eyes firmly fixed on Christ, to persevere for as long as it takes, and to never lose hope. However, it's a sad reality that some ministry efforts last so long, are filled with so many set-backs, and leave us discouraged and wanting to quit.

I haven't written about my daughter Stacey in quite a while, but many have let me know they continue to pray for her. I have material about her posted on our web site (with her permission) but I haven't updated the page for a long time because I'm not really sure what to say. There are so many times I thought she had reached bottom, so many times she has cried out to God for help, and so many times she has returned to a life of bad choices and pain.

Stacey has spent most of this past year either in jail or a rehab facility for addiction problems. Over the past thirteen years her additions have jumped around between drugs, pills, and alcohol. She is currently in jail but she gets out today. But this message is not really about Stacey, it's about me and my shortcomings.

I need to confess that when she was sent to jail in February I pretty much quit - I gave up. I did not write and refused most of her calls. I didn't give up on God's ability to pull her out of the pit, but I gave up on my ability to do anything useful. I even convinced myself I might be causing harm if I continued to encourage. I believe I was wrong and missed the heart of God for how to minister and truly stand in the gap.

During this Easter season, I'm reminded of the need to persevere - to never give up - because God never gave up on me.

Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

We all have a long, long history of running away from God. But God never gave up. He never quit! He persevered, loved us, called us, forever longed to be with us; and at just the right time, He died for us!

I have recommitted to standing in the gap for Stacey for as long as it takes. I repent of turning my back and will continue to love on her for the rest of my days. I'm not fully sure what this means but I will seek the guidance of the Spirit of God and trust Him to accomplish the ultimate healing. Let's not place time limits on our commitment to stand in the gap for those who need our encouragement. And let's remember the love and patience of God whenever we are discouraged and wanting to quit.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

Steve - thanks for sharing your struggles. I can't imagine the pain you are going through with your daughter. I have a different/similar situation with my wife. She suffers, I believe from Borderline Personality Disorder. I have prayed for God to heal her so many times! Things will go along well for awhile only to have her explode over the slightest thing and then our relationship will be on the rocks for a length of time. I have been extremely depressed and apathetic at times and have quite frankly given up on my marriage ever being intimate. We in large part exist with one another and the way things are going, separation is a possiblity once the kids have graduated from high school. Your message is the third one I've heard this weekend regarding standing firm in the face of seeming defeat. So I know that God is telling me to take heart and continue fighting. I will be praying for you and once again thank you for sharing your struggles - it is encouraging to others!

God is so very GOOD. Last night I rec'd another call concerning my son, he was once again arrested for possession of marijuana. It seems every time he's progressing and I begin to relax, here come another storm. However, there's a different in me this time. I actively asked God for guidance and the very next day, I found your message. Wanting to Quit has encouraged and strengthened me to continue on. Thank you for posting this message and sharing your story. To conclude, I speak victory into the lives our sons and daughters who are in this loop of addiction. I speak life and encouragement into the lives of parents who stand in the gap for their children. For we know that greater is He that is Us...continue to stay strong and continue to be favor by God.

Truly this message is a blessing to all who hear what God is speaking to we who are the church. It makes me think of a devotional you wrote in one of the journals, A CLOSER WALK. Barnabus had to keep Mark encouarged though Paul wanted to give up on him. It also helps us to see how we a christian have to be mindful of our reactions to the actions of others. It is such a blessing that you would share such a testimony as such. The body of Christ can be truly be strengthened by this message as we recommit to God's purpose through Jesus. He came to save the lost, the weak, to heal the broken hearted, set the captive free and sometimes we don't offer that Love that covers. I too have been guilty, but praise be to God for His chastisement and forgiveness through His Word. Thank you so much for helping me not to give up on others, to trust in the Lord at all times and remember that God is able to do all things.