Learning to begin again instead of giving up.
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.” – Francis de Sales
It’s edging toward mid-August, which means the school year is sneaking up on those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Churches are getting ready to launch Sunday School classes and Bible studies again. There’s something about this time of year that makes me pause and look back over the year so far. Before long, I found myself thinking about those optimistic goals and resolutions I made back in January.
Back then, I was sure I could make some changes. I had plans. I had lists. I didn’t go as far as colour-coded highlighters, although I do admire people whose journals look like a rainbow. Then February arrived, and I suspect I wasn’t the only one who felt a little defeated when those goals didn’t unfold quite the way I’d imagined.
By March, exercise bikes had become clothes racks, junk food had found its way back into our grocery carts, and morning Bible reading was delayed by the ministry of the snooze button. At that point, it was easy to start labelling ourselves as undisciplined failures.
Looking back, I’m not surprised. Change was never meant to come through sheer willpower. Most of us know that, at least in theory. As followers of Jesus, lasting freedom doesn’t come from gritting our teeth harder. It comes as we surrender our will, our self-reliance, and even our self-righteousness to Him. Repentance and obedience may not be glamorous words, but they are good ones.
We find freedom as we humble ourselves before Him and get honest with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Strength often begins when we’re finally willing to admit we’re weak.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that I’m often far more patient with other people than I am with myself. If a friend stumbled, I’d encourage them to get back up and keep walking. Yet when I stumble, I’m tempted to give up and pronounce I just don’t have what it takes. I suspect I’m not the only one.
We’re often quick to apply Colossians 3:12 to the people around us, but do we let that same grace land on us too? “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another.”
Here’s a thought that gives me pause. Is it possible that I am part of the ‘one another’ Paul mentions? Does that mean I need to extend the same patience towards my own weaknesses that I give to others? I’m probably stretching that a little too far, but it got me thinking.
God already knows our weaknesses. He knew exactly what He was getting into when He called us to Himself, which I find deeply comforting. Nothing about our flaws has ever caught Him by surprise. His mercies really are new every morning, and His patience doesn’t wear thin, even as He watches us hit the snooze button for the fifth time. Yes, He wants us to be people who keep our word, but He also keeps extending grace to us, even when our track record is less than inspiring.
We know, in our heads, that Christ forgives us when we turn to Him in repentance. And yet, we can still have such a hard time moving past our failures. Worse yet, we sometimes use one stumble as an excuse to go straight back to old habits.
“I ate one cookie. Therefore, I failed my plan to live a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, I might as well eat the box of cookies.”
“I didn’t wake up early two mornings in a row even though I promised God I’d have a quiet time with Him. I might as well face it; some people are cut out to be close to God, but I guess I just don’t have what it takes.”
Jeremiah describes that downward spiral so well in Lamentations 3:17-20. Have you ever noticed how quickly one momentary lapse can snowball into something much bigger in our minds?
“My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord. Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall. My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.”
If anyone had a reason to feel overwhelmed by his circumstances, it was Jeremiah. Yet he doesn’t stay there. He deliberately shifts his focus from his feelings to God’s character.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him.”
This is my prayer today. Feel free to join me if you’re feeling the same tug on your heart.
Lord, give me the courage to begin again every morning. When I fail, help me repent quickly, receive Your forgiveness, and forgive myself instead of dragging my failure around like a souvenir. You’ve always been so patient with me. Please help me learn from Your example. Thank You for being the God of new beginnings. I choose to walk in obedience to Your leadership. Give me grace to keep my eyes on the goal before me, even when self-denial feels uncomfortable. Please help me not to become preoccupied with either my strengths or my weaknesses. Instead, teach me to keep my eyes on Your strength and Your power.
Psalm 103:8-13 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
Until Next Week
© 2026 Katherine Walden
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