Devotionals for the Heart: Push

Keep Pushing
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“Let us not become weary in doing good, 

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

 –Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I looked at the calendar in utter disbelief. It was already March, the last month of the first quarter of 2021. I remembered the holiday season of last year like it was just the other day, and I recalled the excitement as I welcomed in a new year.

I had a list of exciting goals with all of the right steps to attain them. I had high hopes and lofty dreams of achievement. When January 2021 rolled around, I was pumped and ready to go. It was like starting a long distance race in a full-blown sprint. The problem with that is if you do not pace yourself, you will run out of steam pretty quickly. That is exactly what happened to me. It was March 1, 2021 and I was tired. All of that energy that I owned in January had somehow dissipated. All of the fervor and devotion I once had for my goals were replaced by lethargy and inactivity. How could I let this happen? It was so gradual that I barely noticed when my feelings started to change, but here I was grasping at straws, trying to get back to how I used to be.

In Galatians 6:9 (KJV), there is instruction for us to “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” What I appreciate the most about this verse is the promise that is attached to it. If we do not get tired of pursuing our goal, if we do not start a task and then then drop off for some reason, if we just hang in there for the long haul without quitting then we will reap the benefits of our labor and all of our hard work will not be in vain. Our responsibility is to “faint not.” The outcome seems easy enough, but the toughest part is that “if.”

I truly believe that the enemy uses this part against us. Have you ever felt so tired and discouraged that you just stopped in your tracks? Maybe things were not working out the way you imagined or your goals were not coming together as you planned. All of a sudden, you just got weary or even lazy. You convinced yourself that there is no use in continuing this way. Since you cannot see any results, there probably will never be any results. This is the enemy at work.

The enemy understands that there is a blessing at the end of your hard work. He fully understands that when you plant seeds, growth will follow. You reap what you sow. The enemy will work overtime to make sure you do not make it to the end to receive your blessing. He will attack you with weariness, laziness, and anything else to discourage you.

Be encouraged! If you do not give up, you will receive the blessing. You have to keep pushing. That job that you have always wanted…that promotion that you are waiting for…the relationship that you’ve dreamed of…the wayward child who you are praying for…the business that you started…all of these things will come to fruition at the appointed time.

Until then, you must keep doing your part, put in the hard work, stay faithful and watch God come through with His blessing for you!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, Thank you for Your promises. We believe, help our unbelief. Give us the strength to keep pushing even when things are difficult and we cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel. May we never grow tired in doing what is right and may we never give up. We look forward to reaping a harvest and we thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was raised in a Christian home in New Jersey. Angela dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 12.

As a child in elementary school, she developed a penchant for writing book reports and entering writing contests. By high school, she was taking advanced placement courses in English and Speech & Creative Writing. Angela’s love for journaling also had its beginnings in high school and it evolved into prayers journals and detailed notes for prospective book ideas. As a result, Angela is the author of a published 40-day devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God. She also wrote a children’s book that is not yet published.

Although Angela wanted to somehow incorporate writing in her life, she is currently a Certified Human Resources Professional. Angela graduated from Rutgers University in NJ with a double bachelor’s degree in Labor/Employment Relations & Sociology. She also has an MBA from Strayer University.

Angela founded a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization called Head to the Sky, Inc. It was formed in order to assist those in prison with their transition into society and to reduce the rate of recidivism in the community. During this venture, Angela received a certification in grant writing from The Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College. Angela was very passionate about teaching, training, and sharing the love of Christ in this ministry; but she had to refocus her passion when she and her husband decided to start their family.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 16 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 8) and Ryan (age 3). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her personal mission is to empower others to achieve their goals and dreams.

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Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook fan page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God:
https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/