Determination and The Will to Live!

 I heard a story recently of an elderly sick man who was living with his wife, daughter, and her family. 

Everyday, even though he didn’t feel good and was weak, he wanted to be out of bed, dressed, and ready for the day. So, everyday, that’s what they did. 

All except for one day. They told him, “Why don’t you just stay in bed today with your PJ’s on, and just relax. You’re really sick and weak after all.” And against his wishes, they left him in bed.

That day he died.

They knew the reason. He had lost the will to live and finally gave up because they left him in bed. 

They’ve regretted that day since.

I am thoroughly convinced that once people start sleeping all the time, stay in their pajamas, rarely shower, leave their hair ratty, eat junk food, and live around a messy/cluttered environment- that they lose the will to live.

And if it’s a Christian doing this, I can assure you that their spiritual state is in disarray as well.

One thing always leads to another. If you eat junk, then of course your body won’t FEEL like getting out of bed, taking care of yourself, and living a productive life. 

And why WOULD you have discipline for God, His Word, and the Christian life, if you’ve already given up on everything else?

Does this mean that if you’re a healthy, active, perfectionist then God is well pleased with you? Not if your spiritual life is majorly lacking.

I’ve been in many neat and tidy homes, but they have ZERO to do with Jesus Christ.

However, as a Christian, do you really think it’s a good testimony to live like a slob? 

Is God happy that you’ve let yourself go? 

Of course not.

I’ve heard people say things like, “Well, some folks are just poor.”

Really? It doesn’t matter just how poor you are or THINK you are, you CAN get out of bed, you CAN get ready for the day, you CAN clean up your house, and you certainly CAN give God your best.

Being poor does NOT mean that you have to live with junk/clutter all around you.

A lot of women today seem to think it’s cute, and a bragging right if they go around with the “Messy hair, don’t care” mentality. They talk proudly of how long it’s been since their last shower, or the last time they did the dishes. I’ve even heard them talking about how they’ve been neglecting their animals, like it’s funny! When that is disgusting!

Is this really the role-model of a Christian for others to look up to? 

Never.

One thing about us Hartingers is we DON’T GIVE UP. Ever. No matter what.

Recently, I experienced an extremely bad back flare. (Autoimmune runs in the family….) It was painful for me to do ANYTHING. Walking, standing, sitting, laying down, bending over, -everything- hurt to do.

I would wake up in the morning, and my back would feel like it was breaking in half. It was like nerves were being stretched and pinched, and random knives would stab me as I barely moved. 

But, I was NOT going to let my back stop me from doing what I normally do. 

Everyday, I got out of bed, I painfully cringed as I got dressed for the day, and put on my shoes. 

I prayed, I read lots of Bible, I journaled, and I still encouraged fellow Christians everyday.

I still went outside and slowly but surely, fed all our goats and gave them fresh water- twice a day. 

I went to work in my dad’s business everyday, and I smiled and talked to clients as if nothing were amiss.

I was living off of Jesus, prayer, support from my family, ibuprofen, prednisone, and heat patches. 

I went grocery shopping with my mom and walked around refusing to use a cane. 

I wasn’t going to be defeated.

I was determined. 

I drank lots of water, hot turmeric tea with raw ginger, and ate plenty of broccoli, avocados, walnuts, olive oil, and every other anti-inflammatory foods.

Every Saturday, whether my back felt like it or not, I did my usual “organize the kitchen cabinets” routine. From pots and pans, to cups and mugs, cooking utensils, baking supplies, spices and extracts- I still organized them all. 

I treated my day as if nothing were wrong, and went on living. 

And you know what? I didn’t get worse. By God and His grace, I started getting better. 

Today, my back feels great! And you know what I’ll do if I go into another flare? The exact same thing.

I still get random days of extra pain and inflammation, but I live for my King, move around, go to work, play my violin, do my farm chores, and stay busy. 

I have a drive to get things done. I HAVE to be busy. I HAVE to be productive. 

I WILL glorify my Lord no matter what, and I won’t EVER be defeated! 

There are so many examples in the Bible all about Christians who could have just given up, but still they didn’t. 

God doesn’t want us to fight battles alone, and bear our own burdens. He’ll never give you something that is too much for you to handle.

He promises a way of escape for every trial, test, and temptation.

He guides us with wisdom from above, and tenderly comforts us through the pain.

He picks us up and makes us stronger. And always provides hope and light for the future.

Nothing is too hard for Jesus! We just need to trust Him alone.

My friend, my sister or brother, my fellow labouror in Christ, 

NEVER GIVE UP!!!! 💙