Keep Moving Forward

You’ve heard it said that sometimes life is two steps forward and one step back.  I’m sure you’ve experienced it first hand at some point.  I recently started a new job working as an employment specialist.  I work with low income individuals and families on welfare.  My job is to get these individuals back on their feet, in order that they can become independent and self-sufficient.  When our participants start with us, they are required to come to an orientation.  For two hours, it is our objective to help them to identify their shortcomings, recognize their strengths and encourage them to stay determined and motivated no matter the difficulties that come their way.

We often share that catch phrase with them…”two steps forward and one step back.” I have definitely known this to be true in my own life.  I have often had the experience of feeling like I was making progress in a certain area of my life and then getting knocked back.  When this happens, there are one of two ways I can look at it.  My first option is to get discouraged and give in to hopelessness.  I can buy into the lie that says, “Why even try at all?” My second option is to be encouraged, because even when life knocks me back, God never leaves my side and always helps me to get back up on my feet.  I’m reminded of Davids words in Psalm 40:2, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”  Every time life knocks you down and you get back up, you become stronger, more resilient, more unshakeable.

So that’s my encouragement to you today.  That is my challenge.  To keep getting up, to keep moving forward, and to keep your head lifted high.  Despite the challenges, despite the trials, despite how hopeless things look, never give up.  God has said that He will never leave you.  Armed with this knowledge, like Paul, develop an attitude that says, “I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Phil. 3:13-14).

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