The other day in my PE class the kids were playing a dribbling game. If their ball was knocked away from them while dribbling, they needed to go and make a shot at the basketball hoop to be able to come back into the dribbling game.

One girl who was trying to make a shot to get back into the game came over to me disheartened, with her head hung low and said, “I am ready to give up.” I came beside her and thanked her for letting me know she was discouraged. I gave her some tips to help her and stepped back to watch her try again.

She kept trying and trying yet I could see in her eyes and body language she was not believing she was able to make the shot.

When I walked back over to her she said, “I am really ready to give up.” I looked at her in the eyes and asked her to say, “I am able.”

She stood there in a quiet, yet confident voice and said, “I am able.” I encouraged her to try again.

She stepped towards the hoop, took a shot AND MADE IT! She was initially surprised she made the shot but then jumped up and down with excitement! Her friends and I joined in the celebration!

I share this with you today because we’ve all been at a point, like this girl, when we’ve met a challenge that feels impossible to overcome. If you can relate, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we learn from this courageous girl that a wise first step is to let someone into the struggle. May we invite God in and someone we know who will speak truth to us as an encouragement to help us. Sometimes we don’t even realize how harmful our own thoughts are. May we let God’s word and those of someone who cares about us help renew our thoughts and reminds us that God made us able to overcome the challenge before us, just like this girl did.

With love and hope,

Shawn

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

- Joshua 1:9