Push Through

When people do push ups, they are building muscle and improving strength. We (well those who exercise 🙃) do this for long term benefits including better posture, improved heart health, more energy, and just overall enhanced quality of life. But what actually is going on with the “push”??

• Pushing happens during labor= birthing instance

• Pushing happens when you open doors= new opportunities

• Pushing happens when you play football= blocking opponents

• Pushing happens when you move a shopping cart= to go from one place to the next

• Pushing happens when you press the button to cross the street= momentary stop for something else to go

  
  

Push – a vigorous effort to do or obtain something

Sometimes we have to push through life’s situations. It seems cliché, but there is truth in this statement. There are times when the motivation isn’t there or the weight of the task seems too heavy. But that is exactly when we are called to push the hardest.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

I talked a little in a previous blog post about taking a break and needing to spend some time at the feet of Jesus to refill my cup; so, Yes, I do think there are times when we truly need a break. But there are also times when the enemy will use anything he can to hold us back. Just as well as God knows you, the enemy is also studying to know you. He knows what triggers you, what excites you, what motivates you, and what upsets you. He doesn’t want you to go after the vision that God has given you. If he can’t stop you, he will distract you. Distract you with the worries of life, distract you with earthly desires, distract you with anything that is not pushing you closer to Jesus. The enemy is using deception and confusion to miss out on all God has for you.

For me, perfection has been my distraction. Pushing through my own feelings of insecurities holds me back from going after all God has placed before me. It’s like God has specifically showed you the next step, but pushing through our own reservations is the struggle. For me, wondering if something is going to be received well, or wondering if I really have what it takes to get it done, will I be successful, does God really want little ‘ol me to do that?! All of these thoughts, I have to push through.

But we know, “pushing through” is easier said than done. Pushing is hard, because you are met with resistance. That resistance wants you to think twice. It causes you to think, “is this worth it?”or “do I have what it takes?” It’s hard, but God gives us what we need to push through.

There are many stories in the Bible about people pushing through. People who were hopeless, doubtful, unsure, afraid, insecure, but still choosing to press forward. Let’s take Moses for example. As the Israelites are led out of Egypt by Moses, the Pharaoh realizes he will no longer have them as slaves and changes his mind about letting them go free. The Pharaoh, then decided to pursue the Israelites. When they saw the Egyptians coming towards them, they began to complain to Moses saying they were better off staying in Egypt. They were afraid. Moses began to pray out to the Lord and the Lord responded with

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”  Exodus 14:15-18

The Lord told Moses to get moving. He had given Moses all that he needed to push forward. He had given Moses both His Word and His weapons.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.Exodus 14:21-22

When Moses began to push through, God did his part. God is faithful to His promise. It may not seem clear what is on the other side, but one thing we know for sure, when God gives us directions, he gives us all we need!

I can do all this though him who gives me strength.Philippians 4:13So in those moments when you feel weak or the resistance is too much, remember these things:

Keep pushing! There is something waiting on the other side! God is with you, ALWAYS. God has given you all you need. God is building your strength for something greater.

💜