Last week I had a tough time. I realized I wasn't growing in my character with regards to the way I interact with family or the way I allow little things to bother me so much that I am unloving toward them. Unfortunately, I allowed my emotions over feeling like I would never change to overtake me and I even decided not to go back to church. But I forced myself to go and I forced myself to keep reading the Bible. I was open with several people and by the end of this week I had gotten together with two sisters to talk things out. I had also made decisions and was putting them into practice.

But the really encouraging part was that God really saw to it that I would get encouragment at least through this tough time when I was fighting to change and to be righteous. A sister I don't know very well decided to come up to me today after service and share with me what she'd been going through and also tell me that she really wanted to build a friendship with me. I was very encouraged! I had the sisters I spoke with, and then her, tell me that I was persevering and that I should be happy about that. I am. This sister also shared Ecclesiastes 3:11 with me, which says God makes things beautiful in His time and she said that to God, though I felt like a sinful wretch, I was beatiful because I was trying.

I wanted to share that because I am very touched that God would want to make me feel special at this time.

Thanx for you post, sis! It IS really encouraging to hear from others stories of how God helps those who struggle to be witt Him.

I personally sometimes feel in not a very good way. Forexample, last Friday when I was going home I felt such a seizure of loneliness wanting to pity myself, close myself at home and not going out, not calling anyone, just going deeper and deeper into depression. But I remebered that God, I think, wants us to be open, to be in the light, and bring even such feelings to His light, that is to other disciples, His body. It was not an easy decision for me since I'm very much afraid of being rejected by other people to call a sister and share my feeings with her. Though my expectation was that I would receive a piece of advice like "you should rely on God more than on people" or "go and read the Bible" - the advice I am not saying are bad but I've used to receive them before and it's not usually what helps in my situation, God really supported me through her. And I felt really better after our talk - no depressive thoughts)))

I guess if we choose God's way He does part of work for us ;)

Wow I want to thank both of you for posting your stories. I feel very  inspired by just seeing your perseverance during hard times. Ive been a disciple 6 years and when i was first baptized i just didnt have the heart or the friendships that are needed to persevere as a disciple. I am just now learning how to really fight through things. I fell away several times as a disciple and I would always feel like man i must be less of a disciple because I fell away so many times. But I am proud to tell you i am really trying to work on my character and perseverance. I have my best friend Esther who is always there for me and she has been a great miracle and joy to my life. Let me encourage you by telling you that you need strong friendships to help you out in the kingdom and keep fighting.

One of the most encouraging for me stories of a man who fell away is the story of the Apostle Peter. Do you rememer? He refused knowing Jesus thrice and in a short period of time Jesus raised him by assigning him leader of the first church. And as Paul said: when I am weak, I'm strong. Even if you fell away, sis, God still can work through you)

I'm really inspired by all of you, my sisters. Keep fighting the Good Fight!

i agree..there is a time for everything and i believe no matter what we have..good or bad...we need to persevere...let us always be reminded of the story of King Asa... to God be the Glory!

I like the saying you are beautiful because you are trying. I am inspired by all the encouragement and ill share this with my caribbean family in Christ for 2009. Lov u guys don't give up, its your inspiration that can save a soul...