23/08/2026
Our human minds are sensitive and vulnerable. When we leave them open to every thought, our enemies might find a way to come inside. And the moment they succeed, our minds can become consumed by worries and fear, which can lead to anxiety. This might eventually make us feel like giving up.
In the message today, our Pastor defined “giving up” as reaching a point where we feel abandoned and lost, just like what David experienced during his difficult years of exile. He battled with himself, struggling both spiritually and emotionally, and had moments when he had to hide in caves, seeking refuge from his enemies. He came to the point of giving up… But by the grace of God, David turned his sufferings into songs and left those songs behind to encourage us in our own trials.
We are encouraged today to be honest with God about our feelings and suffering, just like David. Though his heart was troubled and he felt that God seemed distant, he continued to trust in God’s love. Brethren, our enemies can use what we feel to hurt us even more if we dwell on those feelings. Our feelings may be valid, but just like the winds of the southeast monsoon, they are meant to pass and not stay forever.
Being honest with God is our first step toward overcoming the feeling of giving up. The second step is to look away from ourselves and turn our eyes to Jesus when trials come. Looking away from what we are feeling can be difficult, but if we learn to trust God even more, we can overcome discouragement and thoughts of defeat.
Always remember: We can acknowledge our feelings and allow ourselves to retreat into the space that our caves can provide. But let us remind ourselves to listen to the right voice calling out to us from the entrance of that cave. God’s hand is there to reach for us… Like David, may we learn to have steadfast faith and a love for God that can surpass all trials.
God bless us all.
