WHEN YOU DON’T WANT TO GO ON.

• When you don’t want to go on
• Practical things to do when you don’t want to go on
  • Breathe. 
  • Allow yourself to feel the pain. 
  • Have a gratitude list
  • Journal. 
  • Allow yourself to have break down moments. 
  • Confide in a trustworthy person. 
  • Build your relationship with God. 
  • Take a break. 
  • Make positive decrees. 
  • Listen or read on other people’s testimonies. 
  • Find encouraging scriptures that you can stand on.
• Conclusion

Has it been so dark in your life that you forgot what the sun looks like? Have you been through pain and difficulties so much so that you’ve become accustomed to it? Have you lost the joy you once had that you’ve been running on autopilot? What do you do when you don’t want to go on?

How do you go on living when getting out of bed is a chore? Where do you start? What do you do when you don’t have the strength to go on? Do any of  these look familiar? I have a word for you.

When you don’t want to go on

There are moments in life where the sun sets and everything around you gets dark that you can’t even see the next step. When it gets dark even the smallest of things become a chore. Things you used to do easily become difficult and you almost feel like you can’t function. It gets to a point where getting out of bed becomes a problem and you even forget who you are and let yourself go. You dread the sun rise and bedtime becomes your best moments. Irritation, moodiness and sadness feel normal to you and joy, happiness and freedom become foreign. Can you relate? Are you going through this right now? 

First off I would like to encourage you and tell you that you are not alone. Cliché as it may sound it is true. And although it might not feel like it, things will not always stay that way. At some point things will change and the sun will rise again. But in this moment right now, when you can’t breathe, you almost feel like drowning, what can you do? 

Practical things to do when you don’t want to go on

I know it is difficult and you are tired of hearing people tell you to hold on, keep going because it will get better. Your focus right now is getting by and you want someone to give you practical things to do so here I am.

Breathe.

Just breath. I know you are tense and holding your breath. But for just a second, breathe. Exhale. You might break down after exhaling and it is okay. 

Allow yourself to feel the pain.

Don’t hide your pain, allow all the emotions you are feeling to resurface. Feel that pain and face it. The first step is to always acknowledge what you are feeling. Because when you do you can deal with it. Avoid distractions that numb the pain. I know it is overwhelming but you can do it. Drinking, noise and unnecessary socializing will not take the pain away. You are just postponing dealing with it but eventually you will have to. When you don’t confront your pain it seeps through other areas of your life and it causes you to have a distorted view on life in general. 

Have a gratitude list

There is always something to be grateful for. Some days you will have to look harder than others. But find something to be grateful for. It could something simple as breathing or even having food on the table or a roof over your head. Whatever it is, find something you can be grateful for. 

Journal.

Write down every emotion you are feeling. It does not matter how bad of a feeling it is. Just write it down. Be honest and real with everything you are feeling. Are you angry, sad, bitter or disappointed? Write it down. Journaling will not only help you put into words what you are feeling, but it will also help you get rid of some of the junk in your soul. Journaling frees your soul and mind and also helps you process your pain. 

Allow yourself to have break down moments.

It is okay to cry. Crying does not make you weak, it helps you heal. Every time you cry, you feel better than you did before. So don’t be afraid to let out a good cry. You don’t have to do it in front of people. The bathroom can be a good place to let out a good cry and just let everything out. You will feel better after that. Sometimes that’s the medicine you need.

Confide in a trustworthy person.

When you are going through a difficult season, it is important to have someone you can confide in. And make sure to use wisdom as you confide in them. You should be careful who you confide as not every person can be trusted. Also ensure that it is someone you feel safe sharing your emotions and someone who can give you sound advice too. Ensure that you share with someone who will listen to you when all you want to do is vent. But also one who can give you sound advice you when you need it. You are not meant to go through it all alone. And that is why you need to have someone you can rely on. But always remember that everyone will let you down at some point so don’t put your 100% trust in them. You can never put your trust in man. The Bible says that too. 

God’s Message: “Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight. He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie, out of touch with the good earth. He lives rootless and aimless in a land where nothing grows. Jeremiah 17:5‭-‬6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/jer.17.5-6.MSG

Build your relationship with God.

The best thing you can do in moments where you don’t feel like you can go on, is put your trust in God. Develop a relationship with Him and get to know Him for yourself. He is the constant one that will never leave you nor forsake you. He sees you and knows everything you are going through so trust in Him. 

The other reason you should grow your relationship with Him is because you can be honest with Him. God can handle your emotions and He is okay with you telling Him everything it is you are feeling. You don’t have to have a filter when talking to God, He is God but also your Father who wants you to trust Him with every detail of your life. Take it all to Him, the good the bad and the ugly. He is the only one who can heal you and help you. Don’t resist Him, just lean in and allow His comfort, peace and love to over whelm you and renew you.

Take a break.

Do something you enjoy, whether it’s watching a movie, going for a walk or even reading a book. Whatever you like doing, go ahead and do it. When you do something that makes you happy, do it. This will give you room to escape from reality for a moment and refresh you too. Taking a break will rejuvenate you. In moments where you don’t want to go on it is best to live in the moment and remind yourself who you are. 

Make positive decrees.

Granted your life is a mess right now. But you can speak life over your circumstances. You might not feel like a winner but you can declare that you are victorious in Jesus because He lives in you and He conquered all for you. If you lack the strength you can say that your strength comes from the Lord. Ask God to give you His strength where you are lacking. Sometimes the decree could be as simple as you are a child of God and He loves you so much. Personalize the decrees and speak them over your life. 

Listen or read on other people’s testimonies.

This will increase your faith to believe that the God who moved on their behalf will do the same for you too. If you are going through the wilderness season, read on the Israelites journey and the book of Exodus. See how God moved on their behalf and how He sustained them while they were in the wilderness. You can listen to podcasts on other people’s testimonies, it will not only help you but also encourage you because you will realize that you are not alone. And the same God who did it for them will do it for you too. 

God loves you too and wants you to experience His goodness and although right now it does not look like it, He will see you through. 

Find encouraging scriptures that you can stand on.

Psalm 23 is one. God promise to be with you through the valley of the shadow of death. You are not going to die and you will make it to the other side. God is with you through the fire and He sees the pain. You will not go through this forever. Psalm 9:18 is another scripture too it shows you that although you are being crushed right now, your hope will be fulfilled. It is not forever. 

The Israelites were in bondage for 430 years but at some point God delivered them. This will not be the end of your story, there will be redemption and restoration. God will refresh and renew you and bring you out for His glory. So don’t lose hope because God promises to never leave you nor forsake you. He is on your side.

Conclusion

Everyone ggoes through moments where they don’t know what to do or where ti start. But you need to know that God is with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. God understands the pain and sorrow you are feeling. He wants you to lay it all to Him. He does not want you to carry the burden alone. Cast all your cares to Him because He cares for you. If He dresses the lollies and flowers, He will clothe you too. And just like He rescued the Israelites from bondage, elevated Joseph to the palace, gave Hannah a child, He will do the same for you. Because, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes n the morning.